And the winner is... The School of Popular Music!

Friday 25 January 2019

An innovative new music school has won the 2019 Bailiwick Business Academy, and, along with it, £10,000 of marketing support.

The team behind The School of Popular Music were represented on pitch day by Tyler Edmonds (pictured above), Founder and Managing Director of the brand, who met with some of the Channel Islands' top entrepreneurs.

He spoke to the panel of business brains and would-be investors last week, winning them over with his enthusiasm for music and his own music school, which has seen hundreds of pupils take on group or private lessons since it was formed.

According to its creator, the Guernsey-based school offers a service like no other, giving pupils the opportunity to learn the instrument of their choice - guitar, drums, keyboards, voice, bass, ukulele, and many others are all on offer - while meeting fellow enthusiasts to develop every element of playing.

The proposition saw him win over islanders in a public vote, and enjoy even more success as he made his proposal to investors.

Pictured: Tyler Edmonds making his pitch. 

On the day, Mr Edmonds was pitching alongside three other finalists who have all also won something with investors now wanting to speak to each of them to offer support. 

He said it was an unforgettable experience but one which will now benefit his company, his staff and his clients.

"Myself and the School of Popular Music team are absolutely thrilled to have won the Bailiwick Express Business Academy," said Mr Edmonds.

"After many days of preparation, it was a pleasure to pitch to the panel of experts and investors on the day, who were all incredibly supportive of the vision we have for the business.

"It's a fantastic feeling to have so many experienced professionals, who have all been there and done it, backing my company which started with me teaching a handful of students in my parents' lounge, to now welcoming over 450 students through our doors weekly."

Pictured: Mr Edmonds (second left) with the other three Bailiwick Business Academy finalists - Kristin Morris, Liz Taylor Kerr and Trevor Nicholls. 

With a £10,000 marketing budget with Bailiwick Express, the School of Popular Music was the winner of the 2019 Business Academy, but the other three Academy finalists also won support from some of the Channel Islands leading entrepreneurs and investors.

Talking Cents represented on pitch day by Liz Taylor-Kerr, EaseeDo, represented by Trevor Nicholls and Health & Style Club, represented by Kristin Morris, will all receive expert advice and guidance which includes advice on legal matters and longer term business plans. 

The Bailiwick Academy will be back in 2020, with a new panel of entrepreneurs and investors, and Mr Edmonds is already encouraging other firms to get involved. 

"It was an amazing opportunity and unforgettable experience which I would recommend any local entrepreneurs taking part in."

The Academy was supported by Carey Olsen, NatWest International, Jersey Business, Start-up Guernsey, Sancus, Savills and Envestors.

Pictured: Mark Jackson, Bailiwick Express Director, and potential investor Fiona Bateman. 

Express Editor James Filleul added: "We have now successfully secured investment in our business on two occasions, so we fully understand what a daunting prospect it can be to entrepreneurs who have to put what is often their life's work on the line, and ask for support. We are still on the journey of building our CI media business, but we also wanted to help others who are on the same track. Without islanders starting and growing their businesses, the islands would be in serious trouble.

"All four finalists did brilliant pitches, and all four would have been worthy winners, which is why they will all be getting follow-up contact with our panel of investors. But the panel felt that the School of Popular Music would benefit the most from the Bailiwick Express marketing support.

"I'd like to thank all the applicants for taking the time and effort to get involved, our investors for being so generous with their time and expertise, and the sponsors who made the event possible."

Lead photo: Tyler Edmonds of School of Popular Music, winner of the 2019 Bailiwick Academy.