News: KyNa gets a twitter boost from Theo

Another Rotherham-based enterprise has received a business boost from TV Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis.

Earlier this month, Jenny Mortimer, owner of KyNa Boutique, tweeted Theo about her business during ‘Small Business Sunday’, an initiative set up by Theo that runs weekly.

Theo picked KyNa Boutique from over 1000 hopefuls and re‐tweeted Jenny’s message to his 283,000 followers and as a result, the business has over 100 more followers and extra orders for their organic children’s clothing.  They are also profiled on a new website that is exclusive to Small Business Sunday winners.

Jenny Mortimer, owner of KyNa Boutique said, “We’ve been in business just over a year and I work til gone midnight most days helping customers online, which is tough with two boys to look after as well. It is great to have support from Theo because it’s been tough trying to raise our profile and Theo has recognised our hard work and helped spread the word about what we do to his following.”

The latest award follows the recognition earlier this year by Jacqueline Gold, CEO of Ann Summers, as part of her Women on Wednesday twitter initiative.

KyNa Boutique was founded in 2011 and is based in Aston. They offer a range of organic clothes for children that are colourful, contemporary and fashionable including brands such as Ava and Luc, Boys&Girls and Bamboo Baby.

KyNA is the second Rotherham business in as many months to become an SBS winner, as enterprising Fiona Silvester from Very Delicious Cheesecakes was recognised in September.

KyNa Boutique website

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News: UKSE funding provides kickstart for Rotherham's young entrepreneurs

UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) has set aside finance from its Kickstart Fund to target 30 young entrepreneurs in Rotherham with small scale finance that can make all the difference when starting a new business.

UK Steel Enterprise is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel. Its main investment fund provides business finance in amounts from £25,000 up to £750,000 to a wide variety of companies with the aim of encouraging business growth and job creation in areas affected by changes in the steel industry.

The Kickstart Fund makes grants of up to £500 to pay for essential equipment or materials to people looking to launch a new business or those that are in the early stages of trading.

Keith Williams, regional manager for UK Steel Enterprise says the conscious decision to support young people is in response to seeing some great examples of enterprise from previous investments.

"We have been running the Kickstart Fund to help small start-ups in Rotherham since 2009 and have been inspired by some of the young people we have met in the town. Their business ideas, determination and can do attitudes are excellent, which is why we have taken the decision to look for another 30 young entrepreneurs to support.

"Young people don't tend to have access to finance or have much in the way of savings when thinking about starting a business so £500 can make all the difference. It may pay for new IT equipment or essential materials but so often it can provide the boost needed to get the aspiring entrepreneur on the way to success."

Jenny Mortimer is a previous recipient of funding from the Kickstart Fund and went on to set up Kyna Boutique, a children's luxury organic clothing retailer in Aston with her partner Jamie.

When asked about the importance of the Kickstart funding the pair received last year she said: "It was integral to us getting going. We used it to buy stock from a particular brand which has since gone on to be one of our best sellers."

Kyna is just one of the businesses supported by Rotherham Youth Enterprise. The council run service uses European funding to provide self-employment support and advice for young adults in the area. It also offers rent free space in RiDO's business centres.

UK Steel Enterprise website

Rotherham Youth Enterprise

Kyna Boutique website

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News: KyNa Boutique meets Gold's standards

A Rotherham entrepreneur has received praise from a leading businesswoman for her specialist children's clothes business.

KyNa Boutique, the online retailer of children's organic fashion, was given an endorsement by Jacqueline Gold, CEO of Ann Summers, for their fantastic selection of organic clothes for children and dedication to customer service.

The endorsement came in the form of a #WOW award, where Jacqueline celebrates Women On Wednesday through twitter and personally selects three women's businesses that she feels have potential.

And the successful businesswoman knows about success in retail, having transformed the Ann Summers family business into one with a gross annual sales turnover of £150m.

Gold told her 23 thousand followers on twitter: "KyNa Boutique has a great website offering organic yet fashionable clothing for children – makes a parents life a lot easier."

Jenny Mortimer, director of Kyna Boutique said: "I'm absolutely delighted to receive recognition from such an influential businesswoman, it seems the hard work is starting to pay off."

KyNa Boutique was founded in 2011 and is based in Aston. They offer a range of organic clothes for children that are colourful, contemporary and fashionable including brands such as Ava and Luc, Boys&Girls and Bamboo Baby.

Jenny added: "Clothing is made with too many potentially harmful chemicals, it's important to protect a child's delicate skin at such a young age."

KyNa now gets to wear a #WOW badge of approval.

KyNa Boutique website

Images: KyNa Boutique

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