BUDDING Merseyside entrepreneurs should take inspiration from Miguel Doforo, say organisers of the Liverpool Daily Post’s new The Search competition.
The young Wavertree entrepreneur has founded a successful performing arts company for young people, and won nationwide fame after his troupe appeared on TV earlier this year.
Now he is planning to wow the audience at the glittering finale of The Search – a unique quest by Wirral international asset managers Dominique Faversham Group and the Daily Post to find the cream of Merseyside’s entrepreneurial talent.
The competition offers a life-changing opportunity to one would-be entrepreneur – the chance to secure the backing they need to get started.
It is the brainchild of David Mairs, group chief executive of the Bromborough firm, who has agreed to personally guarantee up to £100,000 of bank debt for successful entries.
The winner will be announced by Cherie Blair on December 13.
Miguel Doforo will lead a troupe of young dancers, trained by his Wavertree company, MD Productions, to entertain diners.
During his teenage years, Miguel was determined to forge a career in the performing arts and creative sectors, but wasn’t quite sure how. He decided to organise a fashion show in aid of the Roy Castle Centre.
“I met Eileen Downey, the manager of the Adelphi in Liverpool, to ask if I could stage it there. She must have thought I was mad, but she said yes.
“Straight afterwards, I went into the city centre and persuaded shops to lend us £30,000 worth of clothes for the event.”
Mr Doforo then held auditions for models and the show was a two-night sellout and it showed him what was possible with effort and imagination.
In six years, MD has helped train hundreds of young people, many from underprivileged backgrounds, in dance, drama and music.
LOG on to www.thesearch merseyside.com to find out more about this unique opportunity or follow the link from www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk
The deadline for entries is noon on October 1.
Application forms are available at all Merseyside Lloyds TSB branches; the Daily Post, BBC Radio Merseyside, Dominique Faversham Group and local businesses who have pledged support for The Search.