THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR MONOCHROME

Mon 03 Feb, 2014

Over 100 students from Yorkshire are about to battle it out in the LEAP Trade Fair finale on Saturday 8th February, in the Merrion Centre. Last December, five young entrepreneurs from Allerton High School in Leeds scooped the title, ‘Best Retail Stand, December 2013’ at the LEAP Winter Trade Fair 2013. Their company, Monochrome, has ambitious growth plans with the hope of winning best overall LEAP Company of 2014.

LEAP (Leeds Enterprise Advisory Programme) is a charity, which encourages young people to set up and run their own company for a year. Monochrome, whose strap line is ‘A classic twist for the modern era’ is a fashion led brand-selling black and white clothing, it has already secured a listing on ASOS Market Place and has generated income through sales of shares, trade shows, drama events, social media and school sales. They will face 24 other companies in the Merrion Centre on Saturday, all of which will be given the opportunity to sell to the general public again and impress Edward Ziff, Chairman and Chief Executive of Town Centre Securities PLC, in order to be crowned Best Retail Stand, February 2014.

Monochrome has been working on new designs, which will be unveiled at the Valentine Trade Fair. The team plan to spend their December winning vouchers, which were presented by Edward Ziff in the Centre, to help them achieve mass stand out. To get customers in a romantic mood they will be giving away love heart sweets and red roses. Plus to add a little more elegance to their stand they will be decorating it with a Valentine’s Day theme to attract passing trade and increase sales.

Louis Klineberg, 17 year old MD of Monochrome comments; “We’re delighted to be able to sell our new designs in a city centre location, like the Merrion Centre. It’s high-footfall is a great platform to help get us noticed. We are encouraging repeat purchases through our social media channels and we’re hopeful lots of people will come down to support us on the day. We have plans to launch a website in March which will provide another sales avenue. Alongside our choice of clothes, we’re also passionate about supporting local businesses and generating strong relationships. We support a local band called ‘Headwire,’ by selling their CD’s and black and white specific headphones. Although we’re a small start up company, we like to think the same way as if we were a large company, starting as we mean to go on, so we’re conscious of our carbon footprint and ensure all our products are printed using water-based ink as well as providing customers with recyclable paper shopping bags.”

Louis, who hopes to go to Oxbridge to study Politics, Economics and International Relations, continues; “We are in talks with external investors which would help us take Monochrome to a much wider audience. We’ve a predicted turnover of £1,500 but that could be massively exceeded with external help. I don’t see the company ending anytime soon, it’s my baby and because I’ve been involved from day one I’d love for it to continue growing and developing throughout my University years and beyond.”

The Merrion Centre is the only shopping centre to sponsor LEAP and supports the pupils throughout the entire LEAP process. Edward Ziff, Chairman and Chief Executive of Town Centre Securities PLC, comments; “Monochrome really caught my eye last December, their stand was meticulously organised and had great presence. All five members demonstrated their creative flair and understanding of the business world, including profit margins, marks-up and ultimately knowing how to market themselves to the general public. We’re delighted to support the LEAP initiative and believe it is a great way to develop and motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs. This year is extra special to me as my son, Jacob, is actually one of the students taking part in LEAP with the Spectrum Audio Company, who sell colourful headphones. I’m really looking forward to seeing how all the companies have progressed over the last few months, the learnings they’ve taken on board and the products they’ve invested in.”

On the 15th March all LEAP companies will be invited to present their company books to a board of independent business advisors, with an overall winner being announced at the LEAP annual awards ceremony in April. Last year’s winner, Revival clothing company, had a turnover of £2,000 and 18 year old, MD, Josh Robson is now one of Monochrome’s mentors.

Josh comments; “It’s a privilege mentoring Monochrome, they are a really tight company whose boundless effort, determination and enthusiasm is driving them to succeed. They’ve diversified their clothing offer by moving into headphones, and have an active social media presence as well as organising additional trade fairs and events of their own volition. I’ve shared with them the areas where Revival could have improved, so I’m quietly confident that they’ll win the best company of the year at the LEAP awards ceremony.”

Miles Mount, founder of LEAP has been helping students release their true potential over the last seven years and is immensely proud of all the students involved.

Miles says; “What impresses me the most about LEAP is that our participants are constantly making good business decisions. It’s amazing that a group of 14- 17 year olds, studying and juggling other extra curricula activities, find the time to drive their business forward. Monochrome scoped the Best Retail Stand award last year and I am sure we are going to have a very competitive and exciting day on Saturday at the Merrion Centre.”

You can keep up to date with Monochrome’s progress and new releases by checking out their Facebook (/monochromeXIII), Twitter (monochromeXIII), Instagram (monochromeXIII), Tumblr (monochromexiii.tumblr.com) and Pinterest (/monochromexiii).