The Leicester Business Enterprise student could win £5,000 for her idea.
A Leicester College student travelled to London to Peter Jones' offices to pitch her business idea to the TV Dragon himself.
Off the back of her efforts, Cerys Andrew is now a finalist in the National Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 competition, run by the Peter Jones Foundation.
Cerys commented: “It was really great to get to go to London for the finals, to stay in a hotel and meet Peter Jones. I was nervous but my teacher was there to support me. I’m grateful to the teachers for helping me with materials for my presentation and with practicing my pitch.”
The Business Enterprise BTEC National Foundation Diploma student was encouraged by her course tutors to enter the National Entrepreneur of the Year competition.
Students had to each submit a business plan and present it online to a panel of judges to reach the semi-finals.
After making it through to the semi-finals, Cerys and her tutor travelled to London to pitch to Peter Jones.
Soon, Cerys will find out if she has won the £5,000 prize money to invest in her business idea in September, at her graduation.
Cerys Andrew's business pitch
Based on her love of Irish dancing, something she has done since she was six years old, Cerys’ business idea is to set up her own dancing school, Little Leprechauns.
Having been inspired to teach dance by helping out the younger dancers at her lessons, Cerys has plans to turn the business into a franchise, and hire and train staff to run their own schools.
Cerys has planned competitive pricing for the lessons and will encourage dancing to promote health and reduce obesity.
Beena Ghattoraya, Programme Lead, Leicester College's Peter Jones Enterprise Academy said: "Cerys has demonstrated an entrepreneurial mindset throughout her time at the Academy. She is passionate and talented and already working towards her dream for little leprechauns Irish Dance School.
“I am very certain with the right support from the Academy, Cerys will turn her business idea into a successful business very soon.
"We are rooting for Cerys to win the finals and no matter what the outcome Cerys is already a winner for the Leicester College Peter Jones Academy.”
