About this Event
This event is now on Wednesday 1 May from 4pm-6pm. If you are unable to attend the rearranged date, please contact Julius Ibrahim or Leri Francis.
YSJ London Enterprise is thrilled to announce an exclusive event, "Pitch Perfect – Secrets from a Dragon Slayer," featuring Titi Bello, Founder of Ori Lifestyle, on Monday 8 April, from 4pm to 6pm.
The event will feature a keynote speech from Titi Bello, a visionary entrepreneur who captured the attention of the business world when she secured the support of the renowned businesswoman Emma Grede on the sixth episode of the 21st season of Dragon's Den, broadcasted on February 8 2024. Emma Grede backed Ori Lifestyle with a £60,000 investment for a 25% stake in the business. Titi will share her remarkable journey, shedding light on why seeking investment was pivotal for Ori Lifestyle's success. Titi will provide invaluable insights, and the chance to learn the secrets behind a successful investor pitch.
Following this there will be a dynamic panel discussion on the "Secrets to Successful Pitching." Joining Titi Bello on the panel will be a seasoned investor, Franklin Asante and YSJ Enterprise Academy Alumna and winner of the Big Pitch 2023 Ifeoma Mbanefo. This engaging discussion will delve into the strategies and insights that contribute to a successful pitch, providing attendees with invaluable knowledge and firsthand experiences.
Titi Bello
In December 2019, Titi Bello embarked on her entrepreneurial journey by founding Ori Lifestyle, a hair care brand tailored for Afro-textured hair. The brand's inception was rooted in Titi's personal struggle with hair loss due to poor care practices and a lack of knowledge about proper hair care. Inspired by her daughter's inquiry about wearing similar styles, Titi committed herself to a transformative change.
Her expertise as a hair coach positioned Titi to understand the unique needs of Afro-textured hair. In less than two years, Ori Lifestyle products graced the shelves of Selfridges and Harrods, showcasing the brand's rapid growth and success in meeting the demands of its niche market.
Titi's decision to participate in Dragon's Den was driven by the need for investment and business support, recognising the challenges faced by many black-owned businesses, especially concerning funding disparities. With only 0.02% of Venture Capitalist investment in the UK directed towards black-owned female businesses, Titi aimed to challenge these disparities and foster a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.
Franklin Asante
Franklin Asante is a Private Banker, who has built a successful career in Wealth Management over the last 15 years. He’s an advisor to High Net Worth Entrepreneurs in the UK, covering areas such as; Hospitality, Property Development, Recruitment & the Automotive industry.
Franklin is known on social media platforms as the ‘Urban Financier’, where he delivers useful and practical information about financial literacy and how to navigate the complexities that often come with managing personal finances.
Franklin grew up in Harlesden, North West London and as a young public speaker was awarded a Brent Citizenship Award in 2004 at the age of 15, for services to the people of the Borough. He pursued his love for literature by studying Communications & Media at Brunel University, before changing paths and starting a career in Finance during the 2008 recession.
Franklin is currently the Vice Chair of Governors at United Colleges Group. He’s also a board member of two community interest companies, ‘Goals 4 Girls’ a company that develops young women through sports and education & ‘Visionnaires’ an inclusive business incubator and social enterprise.
In 2019 Franklin was awarded ‘Mentor Of The Year’ at the UK Social Mobility Awards, for working with over 1000 student across the capital.
Franklin believes that Financial freedom is a state of mind, an evolution of how you make, spend and protect your money, and by learning the rules of the game we can prevent repeating mistakes of the past.
28th March 2024, will see Franklin’s first book ‘The Money Ladder’ – A 3 Step Guide On How To Make & Grow Your Wealth - published by Headline.
Ifeoma Mbanefo
Ifeoma graduated from YSJ London with an MBA in December 2023. Whilst being a student at the Enterprise Academy, she won the 2023 Big Entetrprise Academy Big Pitch Competition with her business pitch for Almighty Solutions. Almighty Solutions is now in its MVP stage of development and will be a logistics business offering luxury travel solutions for organisations and individuals. The aims of the business is to take the stress out of travel and give customers choice, confidence, and comfort.
London Campus
Our London Campus is part of York St John University and has a commitment to educate, motivate and inspire a new generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders. We are a community of pioneering and thought leading academics and supportive professional service staff, who all work together to offer an outstanding, creative and transformational environment for our students. Set in the Export building at East India Dock, and part of the Republic Community, our campus is based in the richly diverse east part of London. Close to Canary Wharf, we are part of a vibrant, dynamic and innovative hub of creative, technology and start-up businesses. The unique cultural exchanges within our community create an empowering environment of collaboration and original thinking for all our stakeholders.
Enterprise Academy
The Enterprise Academy is our flagship start-up and leadership accelerator programme, developed and delivered by entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
Through the structured 24 week programme, we support our students through the entrepreneurial journey, from ideation to investment-readiness, and everything in between.
Student will learn how to evaluate and assess their market, their customers and themselves, turning their passion to a reality.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Level 6, Export Building, York St John University, Clove Crescent, London, UK, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00 to GBP 1.00
