Model aims to inspire female entrepreneurs of the future

Nov 15 2007 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Model Jen Hunter, guest speaker at Make Your Mark Enterprize Week, at Aintree Racecourse, alongside students from St Benedict's College, Garston,

A MODEL who made her name following a controversial row about her size yesterday spoke to Liverpool schoolgirls to inspire them to achieve their career goals.

Jen Hunter, who rose to fame after she was criticised for her Size 12 frame on the show Make Me a Supermodel, was one of the speakers taking part in Girls Make Your Mark in Liverpool.

More than 200 schoolgirls from more than 20 schools and colleges from across Merseyside gathered for a morning of talks, drama and motivational exercises aimed at encouraging future entrepreneurship.

Other speakers at the Aintree racecourse event included Liverpool councillor Flo Clucas and Juice FM breakfast show host Leanne Campbell.

There was also a short play by Anfield writer Clare Molyneux, recently named Cosmopolitan Magazine’s “ultimate businesswoman of the year”.

The event was part of the annual nationwide Enterprise Week organised by the Make Your Mark campaign, which has its own Liverpool base, and is aimed at encouraging young people to consider setting up their own business in the region.

Ms Hunter said: “This is an avenue that has opened up to me, because I’m quite strong-minded and open about my size – I’ve made my mark in the fashion industry, and especially with the size zero debate, I want kids to know that it doesn’t matter what size you are.

“If there is something you really want then it is only you that is going to stop yourself getting it.

“If I can reach one person and get them to be more confident and a bit more proud of themselves, then it’s worth it. Anything is possible.”

Learning support assistant Julie Rothwell escorted a group of pupils from St Benedict’s College, in Garston, to the event.

She said: “I think young women need something to aspire to and straight away today the girls were talking about and were inspired by what they were learning, and it was great.”

Alex Ross, director of campaigns for Make your Mark said: “The event has been fantastic and is what our campaign is all about, which is encouraging people to have ideas and make them happen.

“Between this and other events this week, over 500 girls will have perhaps had some ideas about business and had their eyes opened to different careers open to them.

“We want to be able to really change attitudes and raise awareness to the whole culture of enterprise in Liverpool.”

vickyanderson