'Passionate' inventor named Dorset's Entrepreneur of the Year

BU Professor Alan Fyall, DBA winner Amanda Jenner and BU's Fiona Francis

BU-sponsored award won by the inventor of 'My Carry Potty'.

The Bournemouth-based inventor of an ingenious solution to an age-old problem has received the Dorset Business Award for ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’, sponsored by Bournemouth University.

Amanda Jenner, creator of the highly-successful ‘My Carry Potty’, won the award after judges described her as ‘one to watch in the coming years’ and someone ‘we feel a true entrepreneur is all about’.

Amanda joined fellow finalists Duncan Jones of Generating Solutions Group, Christchurch and Stephanie Pettitt of Equation Accounting, Weymouth, at the gala awards dinner in Poole. Hosted by the BBC’s Royal and Diplomatic Correspondent, Nicholas Witchell, the Awards ceremony attracted more than 550 of the region's business people, dignitaries and press to see awards presented to local firms and one school for their achievements in all aspects of business.

Since the age of 19, Amanda has created business ventures that capitalise on her passion and emerging market trends. She devised and launched ‘My Carry Potty’ in 2009 as an innovative, portable and self-contained solution to potty training young children. Initially launched in John Lewis, ‘My Carry Potty’ is now stocked in more than 80 independent and 40 web-based stores with 22,000 units sold to date.

“To be named Entrepreneur of the year is amazing and for Dorset as well, it means so much to me as I have worked really hard and to be recognised for it makes it all worth while,” said Amanda. “The Prospects on the back of this award, I hope, will generate wider interest to help drive my product even further.”

This year’s judges commented on Amanda’s lack of fear when taking on new challenges and eagerness to learn about everything related to business as two of the many qualities that helped her to win the award. They were also convinced of Amanda’s belief in her product and her passion for helping others as evident of the hundreds of parents and carers around the world who have benefitted from ‘My Carry Potty’.

“I hope I can encourage others to pursue their dream in business,” Amanda enthused. “My advice for any future entrepreneurs is to have a good business model and believe in yourself, always listen and take advice; it is then down to sheer hard work and determination and to make your dreams will come true.”

This is the third year that BU has sponsored the DBA Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Previous winners include Mark Cribb, owner of Boscombe-based Urban Beach Hotel & Bistro and James Hortop of Merlin Equipment Ltd in Poole.

“BU is proud to support the local business community through the Dorset Business Awards by sponsoring the Entrepreneur of the Year honour,” said Professor John Vinney, BU Vice-Chancellor. “The University encourages its students and staff to openly engage in entrepreneurial activities and our support for this award shows how dedicated we are to this approach to fostering future success.”

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'Passionate' inventor named Dorset's Entrepreneur of the Year