Betina Andersen – Fetofi t - ‘fl are Business of the Year 2011’


BSc Midwifery (2011)


I am the type of person that constantly craves new knowledge and experiences and in my mind there is nothing worse than not doing something and later asking “what if?” This mindset helped me to develop the Fetofi t strap, an idea I had while studying as a student midwife. The strap-like device replaces the current wrap-round belts to provide a new and improved method of attaching foetal monitoring sensors during pregnancy and labour.


Prior to Fetofi t, I had no business experience so I have had to start from scratch and gain my business knowledge at every turn. There is no denying that the journey has been tough but my passion for my product has enabled me to hit the ground running. Being a part of fl are has been such a privilege but most importantly, it has been a


real test of the strength of my business idea. The competition has been so much more than I originally anticipated. The skills


Winner Betina Andersen with competition sponsor Julie Meyer


I learned throughout have been invaluable and ones that I will take with me and build upon as I go through life. In particular, the process of writing a business plan particularly helped me to cast a critical eye over the strengths and weaknesses of my business and now I am able to plan future steps for development and have a clear vision of where the business is going. The support I have received from fl are has been amazing and I know this has given me a push in the right direction. Winning the competition has given me the fi nances to push forward and made me even more determined to make my business a success. www.fetofi t.co.uk


A ‘fl are’ for business


Owandji Okutu – Cool Learning - ‘Entrepreneurial Spirit’ BA Business Studies (2009)


We hear the phrase ‘never give up’ so often these days that it feels so clichéd. Yet, when I apply it to my experience with Cool Learning and the fl are competition, it couldn’t be more appropriate. This year was the fourth time I entered Cool Learning into the competition with the previous three years being unsuccessful - unsuccessful but not failures. Despite not winning anything in the fi rst three attempts, the support provided in the competition helped me revaluate my business idea in many aspects that I had previously overlooked. Today, Cool Learning provides services that help build young people’s social skills through interactive, educating and entertaining learning experiences. We offer workshop programmes across all boroughs of London but will also be investing time over the next two years to launch Cool Learning Activities - a website to help parents fi nd extra outdoor activities for children rather than allowing modern day technology to dominate their worlds. fl are has been instrumental in the development of Cool Learning. Both my business partner Kazadi and myself have received invaluable guidance in creating a viable business model and with the support, have been able to transform an idea into a concrete strategic plan. Winning the Entrepreneurial Spirit award was fi tting considering our perseverance in the competition and encountering setbacks like the departure of two of our original business partners in 2009. It’s hard to believe what Cool Learning is today but if there is one thing I have taken from this process, it is that persistence and self motivation are key in a successful business. www.coollearning.co.uk


Owandji Okutu (r) with business partner Kazadi Mwamba (l)


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