The last business networking event of the 2017-18 Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Entrepreneurs Network took place recently
June 11, 2018
The last business networking event of the 2017-18 Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Entrepreneurs Network was held on Thursday 31st May with a packed audience in the Civic Centre’s Island Hall.
Lara Morgan, one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs and founder of portable mood therapy brand Scentered gave her keynote address on the topic ‘Selling, Marketing & Maximising Opportunities’. Lara is an internationally-renowned speaker and best-selling business author who was also recently voted in the UK's 10 Most Powerful Businesswomen by MSN Lifestyle.
Former Mayor, Councillor Tim Morrow officially welcomed everyone to the Entrepreneurs Network event. He said: “I am delighted to see this strong network develop between the Council and local business; there are a large number of start-up businesses, established businesses, social enterprises and entrepreneurs within the Council area. I would encourage local businesses to continue to engage with the Council to obtain support for the development and growth of your business.”
Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, former Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee, said: “It was a fitting conclusion to this year’s calendar of networking events to have a female entrepreneur like Lara, who has achieved a high level of success through determination, drive and ambition, talk to local businesses. After just 17 years she sold the majority share in her first business for £20 million; and now she invests in companies to which she can add value.
“Lara had several key points to share with the local businesses in terms of selling and business growth. Irrespective of business type Lara advised to only sell a promise you can deliver, have people at the heart of your business and always qualify a sales lead. I am sure many of our guests went away freshly inspired and with a renewed determination to achieve their entrepreneurial dream.”
Lara spoke about her entrepreneurial journey which began at the age of 18 after leaving school. She started her first company at the age of 23, Pacific Direct Ltd, which manufactured and sold brand licensed toiletries and amenities to the hotel industry; and one of her first clients was the Dorchester.
After selling her majority share, she now invests in small companies such as KitBrix, dryrobe, Yogi bare, Gate 8 and Scentered. Lara said: “To be an effective sales person you need to show strong commitment and dedicate considerable time each day selling to both new and existing customers, as you can’t scale a business without repeat business. If you are to remember one phrase about selling it should be ‘Benefits sell, features tell’. This will help you to focus on your short sales pitch and identify your credible sales hook,” said Lara.
Lara has kindly offered the use of a promotional code lara20 to be used on purchases of any of her products from Scentered, Gate 8 and Yogi bare. The product websites are detailed below:
Scentered – www.scentered.me
Yogi-bare - https://www.yogi-bare.co.uk
Gate 8 - www.gate8-luggage.co.uk
For further information on the Council’s Business Solutions programmes log onto www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/business_solutions or phone 028 9250 9484.