PieBoy creator is enterprising Master
07 Aug 2012
A University of Manchester student recognised as one of the nation’s top young entrepreneurs is to graduate in December.
Co-Creator of PieBoy Clothing Andy Jervis will receive a Master of Enterprise (MEnt) after studying business at Manchester Business School’s Manchester Enterprise Centre.
The entrepreneur who has created an urban student fashion brand which now supplies a number of universities, was invited to Ten Downing Street in April along with other young business people.
The event was to officially launch Entrepreneur First, an accelerated technology start up programme which has recruited a small group of young entrepreneurs from across the country.
PieBoy Clothing signed a 5,000 Beanie hat deal with The University of Manchester which, says Jervis, went viral within days of it going on sale last winter.
The Manchester Evening News reported the retro beanie was soon seen around the city and even adopted by two Manchester DJ’s, DJ Phaze and DJ Charles during their sets.
He came up with the idea during last winter’s cold spell, noticing that fashion conscience students weren’t able to buy any themed headwear.
Using his skill as a business student, and his own research, design and marketing skills, he launched the product.
He said: “PieBoy is on a mission to create an urban student fashion brand which will make students proud to represent their university and city.
“Our goal at PieBoy is to make university merchandising more fashion conscious.
“It’s important to make students proud to wear their University merchandise.”
He added: “Coming to Manchester has been amazing for me. The course has allowed me to broaden my theoretical knowledge base of entrepreneurship while practically implementing it. Manchester is a great city.
“The University has been brilliant and both together have offered me a great environment to further delve into the world of creating exciting businesses."
The company was also given a Shell LiveWIRE award of £1,000 and won the popular the Manchester Business School pitching competition.
Manchester Enterprise Centre is one the UK leaders in the area of enterprise education and aims to inspire, educate and develop enterprising individuals, enabling them to help dynamic organisations grow.
It is part of the University’s vision to be an innovative institution which encourages the transfer of knowledge, influencing and advancing economic development.