Smilers Part 1: From the Ashes

'Smilers Part I: From the Ashes' is a story. A story that charts the progress of KH Smilers, a Young Enterprise Company started by a group of eighteen Year 10 students - average age 14 - at Kelvin Hall School in Kingston upon Hull in 2003. It is told from the viewpoint of its Managing Director, David Garbera, who, with five others, took charge of the business in January 2004. Abandoned by all but two of its original founders, KH Smilers was taken from the brink of oblivion and then, over the next five years, turned into a successful limited company, still growing in 2010.

In a light hearted but factual way, David begins the journey by describing the difficulties experienced by the company in its first few weeks of life. He explains how, with a new Board of Directors and a new product, KH Smilers was able to save itself and so continue with its quest to become the best Young Enterprise Company in the United Kingdom. Finally, David charts the unknown waters as KH Smilers is steered into the real world of business and enterprise.

Listen to preview clips read by David M. Garbera:

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Smilers Part 2: Lessons in Enterprise

In 'Smilers Part II: Lessons in Enterprise' David delves a little deeper into the last 7 years, highlighting the practical demands of being a successful entrepreneur whilst studying full time. Convinced of the benefits of this liaison, he would like to see the bonds between business and education growing ever stronger in the future. This, he believes, would not only help to foster an entrepreneurial spirit, but also encourage every young person to acquire these all-important skills for the workplace. More practical than its predecessor and boasting a glossary of nearly 50 important words, this second book of the trilogy is also bursting with over 200 hints and tips for success.