With no experience in business, as the subject was not taught in school and it was the first time a team had been entered in the competition. Within five months they had successfully grown the business, selling 3,000 bedding plants and winning the Young Enterprise Hull and Humber Finals and the Yorkshire and Humber Finals. They went on to the National Final in London and along the way collected 16 awards.

Dave Garbera states: "My biggest challenge in setting up the company was a lack of business knowledge, funds and of course my age! It is very difficult to be taken seriously at 15 when I started out!"

"I would suggest to anyone starting up a new business to conduct as much market research as possible and to try and enlist the services (preferably free of charge!) of a business advisor. Ours has been invaluable. Look in to the possibility of grant funding and under no circumstances work outside your budget!"

Visit the KH Smilers website
www.khsmilers.co.uk

Visit the Young Enterprise
www.yeyh.org.uk

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