TWO BCoT business students have been putting their enterprise skills to good use by setting up their own successful companies.

Brandon Bliss, a Level 3 business student, runs BBliss Group. Nathan Grocock, who is on the same course, set up Somethink Different almost a year ago.

Brandon’s company is made up of six small businesses masterminded by Brandon who works alongside a team to ensure the company runs smoothly.

These six businesses are:

• The Modern Sweets – selling sweet bags and gifts.

• WOW! POW! GADGETS! – an online gadget and gift retailer.

• I Fancy Baking – an online baking retailer.

• OINK! Web-Design – offering affordable web-design for small businesses.

• Craft Lane – selling craft supplies.

• Cuppa Snug – allowing people to create their own products to sell.

Brandon puts his success down to the skills he has learned at college and the experience he has gained from running a business.

He said: “BCoT has taught me so much more than school ever did. I have really improved my knowledge, skills and understanding of enterprise since starting my course here.

“Running BBliss group alongside my studies ensures I can put into practice everything I learn in the classroom.”

Nathan was inspired to set up his e-commerce based shop by his aunt and uncle who have had their own business for many years. It offers unique, locally sourced gifts, which are hand-crafted and have a high-end target market.

“So far I am very pleased with how the business is developing. It is just breaking even and this normally takes up to two years.

“I am expanding the gift ranges and sourcing these both locally and online. I am intrigued by how you find a great product, make it unique and then sell it on.”

Nathan manages his time to ensure he is running his company effectively while working towards a BTEC Level 3 qualification in business at college.

Enterprise forms a large part of business courses at BCoT and Nathan is finding this much easier due to his own entrepreneurial journey.

He added: “I love my course and have learned so much.

“It is a relaxed but inspiring environment where students and teachers are all equals.

“You are learning something new every day which you can then implement into your own business and for me, this is fantastic.”