Giles Cooper is an energetic and enthusiastic entrepreneur based in Dorset, but working across the UK and Europe, and he is always on the lookout for new business opportunities
I’ve spent the last 10 years capitalising on opportunities as they have arisen in the Bournemouth and Poole areas of Dorset. I discovered, fairly early on, that my talent and expertise are ideally suited to growing small businesses into successful enterprises.
I come from a professional sporting background, so the drive to succeed is really strong and I have adapted this very profitably for my business life. There’s a lot of crossover between sport and business – discipline, routine and taking on new challenges. I thrive on discovering new businesses that inspire and excite me, and who I can help either through investment or mentoring.
I’ve recently been fortunate enough to become involved with the Virgin Start Up mentoring scheme which is providing government-backed Start Up Loans and one-to-one business advice to entrepreneurs launching or growing a business in England or Scotland. Having worked with SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and business owners from a range of backgrounds, I have a lot to offer someone just starting on the entrepreneurial journey. I also built and lost everything twice in a seven year period due to the financial climate at the time, so can speak from personal experience! Mentoring with Virgin Start Up allows me to help others identify what their aspirations are and help those early in their business journey to achieve them.
Someone just starting on her journey is Jessica Titcumb. Jess has a launched an awesome new drinks brand called Twisted Halo. It’s a low calorie, 100% natural flavoured, vodka-based cocktail which is taking local and national nightclubs, bars and boutique hotels by storm. I was immediately impressed by the sheer professionalism and energy of Jess and her team, and readily agreed to invest and become a Brand Ambassador for this quality product.
Having grown up in Dorset, I’m always keen to support local entrepreneurs. When I invest, I am mostly investing in the person. So I’m blown away by people like Jennifer Tingay from Southbourne Ales, a micro-brewery in Bournemouth producing a superb range of ales. I love Jennifer’s commitment to the quality of her products, customer service and staff conditions which match my own ethos. Jennifer is also very conscious about corporate responsibility to the environment and has a strong sense of the importance of community.
I’m currently in negotiations with a pioneering new children’s nursery in central Bournemouth called Kinder Active which bases its childcare around physical activity and sport. This obviously appeals to me as I am a very vocal and proactive advocate of exercise and fitness!
I love the fact that my business day is so varied, every day is different and I get to meet some incredible and inspirational people. My aim is to encourage and motivate new entrepreneurs to achieve their very best.
To find out more about Giles, visit gilescooper.me
