Insight, Inspiration and Real Talk – A Brilliant Morning at Preston’s Masterclass Launch

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the launch event of Preston’s brand-new programme of business masterclasses at Cotton Court Centre, which was attended by over 50 people – and it did not disappoint.

From start to finish, the event was full of energy and insightful stories. The highlight for me was the incredible line-up of speakers – both successful entrepreneurs in their own right, each with very different stories to tell, but with one thing in common: they were refreshingly real.

Kirsty Henshaw, founder of Kirsty’s ready meals, kicked things off with an inspiring and heartfelt story of building a business from scratch. Her honesty about the challenges she’s faced, alongside her determination and values-led approach, was genuinely interesting. It was a powerful reminder that resilience and purpose can drive real success. She also shared how appearing on Dragon’s Den and securing a £65,000 investment was a major step in helping her get the business of the ground and meet her expectations. She spoke candidly about her ongoing relationship with investors and the importance of navigating those partnerships with confidence and clarity.

Luke Massie, founder of Vibe Tickets, followed with a bold and energetic session, sharing the highs and lows of start-up life and the importance of backing yourself even when others don’t. He also spoke about his Vibe Pay business, which helped sustain him during the lockdown period – a turning point that reinforced the importance of adaptability. In addition, he highlighted how putting trust in his workforce proved rewarding and contributed significantly to his business success. Luke is clearly a determined individual, and talked openly about the support he received from Richard Branson, reflecting how that helped shape the direction of his companies.

Rob Binns, founder of Cotton Court and a respected voice in the local business community, chaired the discussion, which encouraged honest conversations about both the challenges and the achievements. Hearing real stories from Kirsty and Luke provided valuable insight – a reminder that there’s always something new to learn.

Thanks to all those involved in organising this event. If this first session is anything to go by, the upcoming masterclasses will be well worth attending.