Inspired Futures 2008

During Global Entrepreneurship Week 2008, Inspired Futures - a model based on building a people-focused local economy - launched their new Enterprise initiative in Bradford to show local people how they can transform their communities by investing in their own dreams and passions. The launch event was supported by Usman Manzoor, Enterprise Hub Co-ordinator, Bradford Chamber of Commerce.

The launch initially had a low registration rate but Make Your Mark stepped in to turn this around and helped make this event a success by providing high-profile speaker Sarah Joseph, editor of Emel, Britain's only Muslim lifestyle magazine. She is a writer, broadcaster and commentator on British Muslims and has spent the past ten years lecturing on Islam both within the UK and internationally. Emel magazine is currently circulated in 30 countries.

"'Without the support of Make Your Mark we quite simply wouldn't have had the same impact. On the back of connecting us with Sarah Joseph, interest in the event exploded from 15 to 150 registrations with 200 attending in total. We also managed to secure press interviews for radio and newspapers, meaning we were able to reach more women than would normally have attended this event."

Sarah Joseph made a great role model for this event as she's viewed as a catalyst in balancing British Muslim values and entrepreneurship. She is also a successful role model for young muslim women.