The theme of the event, which was held at the Blue Room Brasserie in Sheffield, was When the Going Gets Tough.

The speakers were all entrepreneurs, but from very different businesses, who have all faced the toughest of times and bounced back.

Justin Rowntree, founder of the Runaway Girl, now Silversmiths, a pub/restaurant in Sheffield that had its fortunes turned around with the help of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, Katherine Taylor of Seen in Doncaster, whose fashion business was put back into profit thanks to the help of Mary Portas on the hit TV show Mary Queen of Shops, and Rachel Elnaugh, from TV's Dragons Den, who suffered the demise of her business Red Letter Days and has now gone on to produce a best-selling book as well as acting as a business coach and mentor.

All three speakers gave their own very personal account of where they went wrong and what they have learned from their experiences which has made them stronger and set them out on the right track to greater future business success.

Jill White from Andy Hanselman Consulting, who organised the event sponsored by Business Link Yorkshire, said: "Considering the entrepreneurs who attended this event, there were around 2,800 staff employed by the people in the room and a combined turnover of over £250 million.

"We had a tremendous response from this region's entrepreneurs and there was a real buzz about the evening that left everyone feeling positive and optimistic about the future.

"The idea of the Entrepreneurs Exchange is to celebrate and grow entrepreneurial activity through sharing information and learning from each other, encouraging the entrepreneurs of today and the up-and-coming entrepreneurs of the future.

"We are looking forward to hosting many more such events in the future."

South Yorkshire has a lower percentage of entrepreneurs per head than the national average and by encouraging Entrepreneurs' Forums, like this one, the aim is to stimulate more entrepreneurship, ensure new start-ups stay in business and to increase the enterprising culture for this region.

Business Link Yorkshire chief executive Helen West said: "The spirit of entrepreneurship is certainly alive and well in Sheffield and we are keen to support it.

"With many businesses being affected by the challenging times and the current economic climate, this event was designed to show how a business' fortunes can be turned around and all you need to do is ask for help."

Any entrepreneur wanting to know more about future events should contact Jill White on 07710 452390, or Michele Mason or Liz Gillott on 01709 336700.

For more information on how Business Link Yorkshire can support established and budding entrepreneurs, call 08456 048 048 or visit the website www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk.

More:
Appointments
Business
Business Calendar
News