Let’s meet Eugenie Teasley, founder of Spark+Mettle. Eugenie is our after dinner speaker for tonight’s Social Enterprise dinner. We can’t wait to hear her story tonight but first let’s have a taster:

What’s the elevator pitch for your startup?

Spark+Mettle is a youth charity that enables less privileged young people to build character strengths, soft skills and networks. We run a six month personal and professional development programme for a handpicked number of 18–24 year olds, as well as developing online tools and leading offline events, workshops and retreats.

What were you doing before you launched your startup?

On maternity leave, trying to figure out what to do next. I’d previously been a teacher in south London, before doing a Masters in Education at Berkeley and working for an inspiring non-profit in San Francisco called 826 Valencia. I knew I wanted to do something that provided pastoral support to young people, but didn’t know what. It was only when there were a lot of cuts to youth services, that I thought I’d try to do something myself.

What’s your biggest ‘hindsight’ moment?

It’s really boring, but set up a CRM system right from the start! And keep adding in. I had good intentions, and just failed.

What will 2014 bring?

New projects, new office and hopefully lots more partnerships with youth organisations and other companies wishing to explore experiential ways to boost leadership capabilities and character strengths.

1 piece of advice for someone starting a business in the sector?

Branding is everything. The first funding we got, we used to develop our logo and brand. It has stood us in remarkable stead ever since.

Convince someone to use your product/service in under 50 words.

If you’re officially young (under 25), we can help you figure out what you’re good at and how to fulfil your potential. If you’re officially not young (that’s over 25, folks), we can do exactly the same, and you get to enable a young person to do so too at the same time. It is a fun, illuminating win-win all round.

What’s your favourite startup in the sector (not including your own)?

Task Squad (coming out of vInspired)

What’s your favourite London restaurant?

The Japanese Canteen for a sneaky lunchtime bento box, or Dabbous for a mega-magical one off dinner.

So glad to have you on board Eugenie! Can’t wait to meet you at our dinner. For more startup spotlights go here.