GLEAM is an internationally acclaimed business start-up programme established in 1998 by Durham University, and delivered by Wendy Parvin, Associate Fellow of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning who also runs her own business ‘ Conversations with Purpose’. It teaches the practice of business to nascent owner/managers through workshops that take a pragmatic and practical approach, enhanced by one to one mentoring.

GLEAM is dedicated to helping fledgling owner/managers build the networks and knowledge they need to survive and thrive.  It offers an opportunity to underpin creative talent with guidance in developing entrepreneurial skills and managerial competencies and a chance to interact with and learn the language of business from mentors who have themselves turned their creative skills into successful enterprises.

Following a highly successful pilot programme aimed specifically at aspiring creative graduates culminating in a showcase exhibiting to the region the resultant businesses, Creative GLEAM is currently running its second cohort.

The GLEAM Experience 

“GLEAM really helped me launch my business, giving me the background knowledge I lacked, providing a network of business contacts and a forum in which to meet with like-minded people.”

Steven Landles, owner/manager of Steven Landles Creative Photography

Participants benefit from a package of support usually including:

• working with local practitioners as mentors, role models, case studies and workshop facilitators - all of whom have self employed experience.
• legal and accountancy advice from leading UK firms 
• 3 x one-to-one sessions to support you individually to develop your enterprise
• 24/7 access to a virtual platform to support the mentoring relationship and business development 
  exhibiting work in an end of programme showcase
• building networks with regional enterprise and support agencies.

The GLEAM programme typically runs from early January to late June beginning with an initial 2-day induction workshop.  Thereafter, intensive 2-day business development workshops run on a monthly basis.

Why GLEAM is different

Whether it be the longer running generic or recent creative programme, GLEAM is a call to action, not just theory-based.  Using a unique ‘learning by doing’ approach, it teaches how to make it happen.  In place of the usual ‘dating system’ in which the mentor is matched without the student’s input, GLEAM offers graduates a chance to research and select their own mentor directly. 

Mentoring

The mentor time commitment is a minimum of two hours per month – part of which must be spent in a one to one mentoring session, although there is time spent in communication between each session, in reality a mentoring relationship within the small firm domain can take up significantly more time, attending events together and even sometimes the mentee shadowing the mentor, helping the mentee to learn ‘first hand’ from being situated within their business. Participating in a mentoring relationship can be a rewarding experience for the mentor by having to focus on issues within their own business. GLEAM aims to support the growth of the enterprise culture locally by tapping into the extensive knowledge resource within the regional small business community to encourage and support the graduates to begin and grow their businesses.

Who qualifies?

GLEAM is based not on the business idea, but the commitment, character and drive of the candidate.  Candidates can be of any age, any degree and need an initial business idea and the drive to be self-employed.

The GLEAM Principle

 “We need to provide new start ups with gateways into the community of practice”

Wendy Parvin – Programme Director

To find out more information about how to participate as an aspiring entrepreneur contact: