It’s not often I get to review a film so this was quite a nice change. OK, so it wasn’t a multibillion pound IMAX Hollywood action movie featuring every star in the galaxy, but a short whose main characters were every bit as impressive as Tom Cruise riding a motorcycle over the rim of a canyon. Come to think of it, that is not a bad analogy as the subjects involved were all taking a leap into the unknown, at potentially great risk.
Minding Our Own Business is a film, commissioned by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and made by Luke Walwyn Studio, which tells the stories of sixteen black entrepreneurs in West Yorkshire, who have made the grade – and then some. Not only have they become financially successful, but have also found themselves in the process.
Mr Walwyn, above, was brought on board to develop and direct the campaign. His company contacted people in Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale, in order to create the 17-minute piece.
The film itself was very inspiring. It was a stylised work with lots going on to keep your attention focused, rather than being a succession of talking heads. and constructed in such a way so as not to be a straight narrative of each of the people involved, but was divided into five Acts, each illustrating a particular aspect of their journey, from the first tentative steps to the present day. It also highlighted the way in which success has not only provided the financial rewards, but also a kind of self-appreciation and pride in having achieved their goal, especially when the posts kept moving. I have never seen a documentary in which so many of the subjects were smiling.
After the screening, some other guests in the audience were asked to contribute their experiences, including one chap who, after his career in rugby league ended, set up a haulage company which now has an impressively large fleet of vehicles.
At he Q&A I stuck my oar in by asking how they had managed to obtain the funding to set out on their journey, and was very impressed by the way that most of them had started by growing their businesses whilst holding down a ‘proper’ job and using that to finance the endeavour.
The panel – sorry for the quality of the photograph. Standing, Luke Rosser, then left to right; Patricia Jones, Maybellene Arthurton, Sharon Clarke, Linda Dube and Ndidi Nkwopara.
During the panel discussion I was touched by the number of those involved who credited their faith for leading them down the right path through the process of setting up and developing their businesses. They were also reassured by the comfort that seemed to bring which was invaluable during the more traumatic episodes experienced.
The guest speakers were very positive in contributing their advice. Annette Joseph MBE, Founder and CEO of Diverse & Equal, is committed to improving innovation in the digital sector by nurturing the development of Black people and those from diverse backgrounds. Her main message to the audience was that you can’t get opportunity without throwing your hat into the ring.
Annette Joseph MBE
Ndidi Nkwopara, an author of inspirational books, a life coach and founder of Leeds International African Arts Festival, is dedicated to providing opportunities for those young people who are currently not in any form of work, education or training.
Sam Lee was the MC in charge of the show and was brilliant. Not only was he funny, but very effective in including everyone who wanted to make themselves heard, whilst keeping the discussion and comments relevant – and brief! He is also a successful entrepreneur specialising in mental health training.
This was the second screening of Minding Our Own Business, the first being in June, since when the campaign to encourage a more diverse range of entrepreneurs, especially in the black community, has picked up momentum. Conversations have started between entrepreneurs, creative organisations, educators and those working in business and community development. The strap line is ‘If you can see it, you can be it!’
Because of this impetus, Luke Walwyn has pledged to keep the campaign alive, so the film seems to be just the beginning. Why not judge for yourself by clicking on https://www.mindingourown.business I am sure that, no matter what your background, you will take something of use from it.
If you follow the link above and scroll down, you will see portraits of the participants in the film and can find out more about them by clicking on the appropriate photograph. Below are links to those who took part in today’s presentation:-
Luke Walwyn https://www.lukewalwyn.com
Sam Lee https://sleighservices.co.uk
For Annette Joseph MBE https://www.diverseandequal.com/
Luke Rosser https://www.cprconsults.com
Patricia Jones https://shipaway.org/home-html/
Sharon Clarke https://www.instagram.com/popspecs.trinityleeds
Linda Dube https://www.instagram.com/tls_socialcare
Ndidi Nkwopara https://www.instagram.com/liaaf._
Maybellene Arthurton https://www.commeducentre.org
Photographs by Stan Graham
Tyke It To The Limit 