Taking My Business to the Young Enterprise UK Finals - Ben Shares His Entrepreneurial Journey

Our Business Idea

Our product is SlipStopper, an innovative aftersales shoe attachment aimed at reducing slips in the service and construction industries.

The idea originated through the Entrepreneurship module at the University of Chester, when I worked in a team with Morgan Davies, Jack Emery and Courtney Fraser.

From the early planning stages with Morgan and Jack, to Courtney and I joining the team and helping to drive the idea forward, this journey has been both challenging and hugely rewarding.  We reached the Young Enterprise Start-Up UK Finals and out of over 800 teams across the UK, we were honoured to be among the final 13 competing at the national level. It’s been an incredible journey, starting with a win at the Chester Finals, followed by the Regionals at the University of Liverpool, and now reaching this milestone.

The Finals

Reaching and taking part in the finals has been an incredible experience. It’s a moment that reflects all the hard work, obstacles we overcome, and collaboration that began in the Entrepreneurship module.

Being part of the finals has not only validated our concept with SlipStopper, but it’s also given us the chance to present our work on a larger scale and receive feedback from respected industry leaders.

Engaging with professionals from organisations like Avanade, The Institute of Leadership, The Chartered Institute of Marketing, and The Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade has been inspiring and has pushed us to think even bigger.

It’s been a learning experience that’s boosted our confidence and shown us what’s possible when a passionate, focused team comes together. We’re proud to have made it this far and excited about what the future holds both for SlipStopper and for each of us individually.

Enjoying Entrepreneurship as Part of the Business Management Degree

I would highly recommend studying Business Management, especially combined with Events Management. It offers a great mix of theory and real-world application, giving you the chance to develop a business idea from scratch, as we did with SlipStopper. The Entrepreneurship module pushes you to think creatively, work as a team, and engage with industry professionals, all while building valuable skills and connections. It’s a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience that gives a genuine insight into what it takes to start and grow a business.

Supporting My Journey

The support from the staff has been amazing throughout the entire journey, especially from Conor Dangerfield and Cheryl Sorensen. They’ve both been incredibly encouraging and hands-on, offering guidance, feedback, and motivation from the early stages right through to the finals. Having them there with us meant a lot.  It really showed how invested they are in our success and how much they care about helping us grow both personally and professionally.

Looking Forward to My Final Year

I’m looking forward to the third year of my degree. Studying both Business and Events Management has been incredibly rewarding so far—it’s given me a well-rounded perspective on how to develop and manage projects like SlipStopper from both a strategic and practical standpoint. The combination of business theory with hands-on event planning has helped me build essential skills in communication, leadership, and problem-solving, which have all been crucial in our entrepreneurial journey.

The Young Enterprise Start-Up experience has been a highlight, especially with the opportunity to collaborate with industry professionals and peers on a real-world business concept. As we head into our final year, I’m excited to continue building on what we’ve learned and to see how we can apply that knowledge to new challenges and opportunities.

Find out more about studying Business Management and the Entrepreneurship module here at Chester, or why not attend our next Open Day and come and chat with our staff and students about the degree courses on offer here at Chester Business School.