SWINDON may rank fourth in the UK for business growth thanks to a healthy concentration of small independent companies but it lags far behind when it comes to offering fledgling traders support and networking opportunities.

Taking matters in their own hands a trio of young entrepreneurs have set out to change Swindon’s business landscape, one ambitious start-up at a time.

In May Samantha Whittingham, Emma Phipps and Marcus Lilley founded Young Entrepreneurs Network Swindon (YEN) in a bid to inspire, motivate and buoy budding businessmen and women between the ages of 16 and 35.

The first group of its kind in Swindon, it sees around 30 up-and-comers come together each week to share their successes, woes and the pressures to they face in a tough economy.

“There was nothing else like it Swindon so we had to create it ourselves,” says Samantha, who launched her thriving online cupcake business, Little Miss Cake Maker 18 months ago. “YEN was created to encourage younger people to enter the world of business and feel like there is a support network available, where we can actively change the way businesses work and share our perspectives on life as business owners. It’s comforting for us to know it’s there.

“Starting a business is a scary thing to do, but one of the most exciting and incredible journeys you can dive into.”

With no outside investment or business loan, they each hatched and grew their initial concepts at home.

Marcus founded FutrSocial in 2012, a company offering social media training and consultancy, website design and content creation services for businesses. His turnover has reached £25,000.

Samantha, 27, recently moved to a commercial kitchen in Cheney Manor and is hoping to reinvent the venture as a portal for other bakers to market themselves under the Little Miss Cake Maker umbrella. As for Emma, revenue at her bespoke bowtie and pocket square online boutique Beau Tie has doubled year on year since its launch in 2012. She is also recording a turnover of £25,000.

The trio first met in April through the now defunct Outset Swindon, an organisation which over the past two years had helped entrepreneurs in the town launch more than 200 new businesses, creating 215 jobs.

Providing funding and holding seminars on anything from outlining a business plan to dealing with admin, the project was a lifeline and a springboard for aspiring business kingpins.

It was forced to fold in the summer when the European Regional Development Fund and Swindon Council failed to renew their funding.

Initially keen to work in partnership with Outset, Samantha, Marcus and Emma were forced to go it alone. They registered YEN as a fully-fledged company and promoted it via its own website and through social media.

“It’s spurred us on to try harder because people need us now,” adds Samantha. “We are the legacy of Outset, like the phoenix rising.”

Far from a run-of-the-mill networking event, YEN offers everything its founders lacked when dipping their toes in the ruthless and competitive business world.

“Instantly when we met we started coming up with ideas and bouncing ideas off each other,” explains Samantha. “And that’s what we wanted to bring to young entrepreneurs in Swindon. Sharing ideas can really help. It’s not your typical networking meeting where people pitch their business. We wanted to offer something new, challenge what had been done before.”

Members work in a wide range of fields including media, photography, finance, and design.

The meetings, currently held at Baila Coffee in Old Town, are informal and follow a more flexible, less sale-focussed formula.

Crucially, it is open not only to owners but to ambitious young people with promising ideas in the process of taking their plans to the next level. The youngest YEN member so far is 18 years old.

“Being an entrepreneur can be quite an isolating experience,” says 26-year-old Marcus. “It can be hard when people tell you you don’t have the credentials but if you have passion and you want to be your own boss, there is nothing stopping you. “Ambition should be encouraged. And sometimes what you need is someone to support you and your idea, a role model who is approachable.”

Members are invited to brainstorm on or upload useful links to the YEN Facebook group.

“Sharing what you’re going through really helps,” explains Emma, 26. “Especially when you’ve had a tough week. There is a lot of pressure when you own a business– it’s all on your head.”

Despite being fronted by two businesswomen, YEN has mainly attracted male entrepreneurs. It is hoped more young women will eventually join to redress the balance. According to Samantha, the number of small business owners in Swindon is evenly distributed between men and women.

Going forward, Samantha, Marcus and Emma are hoping to organise shared 'co-working space' days, quarterly social outings and invite professionals to run mentoring workshops.

Their ultimate goal is to export YEN to other parts of the country.

“It has the potential to grow if it takes off,” says Samantha flashing a smile. “We've created a platform that brings young people together so they can achieve their goals and aspirations whilst having lots of fun and being surrounded by like-minded individuals. All people need is the confidence, passion and an idea and they’ll learn along the way.”

The YEN membership is £25 per month. To find out more or to sign up visit www.yenswindon.co.uk or email info@yenswindon.co.uk.