Ethical business expert launches free advice sessions at the British Library

08 April 2008

• Successful eco-entrepreneur Kresse Wesling to follow in the footsteps of the Dame Anita Roddick and give one-to-one guidance on how to combine doing good and making money at the British Library Business & IP Centre
• Years of experience and insight into social enterprise, enthusiasm and passion for all issues ‘eco' will help and inspire all aspiring ethical business start-ups

All aspiring ethical entrepreneurs seriously thinking about breaking into the world of business are now being urged to apply for the advisory sessions with one of the brightest stars in social enterprise at the British Library Business & IP Centre (www.bl.uk/bipc).

Kresse Wesling is a young Canadian eco-entrepreneur with bags of energy and three successful ethical businesses under her belt. Not only is she resourceful and truly inspirational, but she has successfully combined serious business acumen with ethical thinking and duly won the title of Entrepreneur of the Year at the Shell Women of the Future Awards in 2007. She is determined to help others make a difference and build a successful career in business through her one-to-one sessions.

With a solid business background in venture capital and technologies investment Kresse founded her first company, Bio-Supplies, back in 2002. One of the first to recognise the problem of waste from consumer goods, the packaging company now works with leading supermarkets, cosmetic companies, department stores and the food industry to create biodegradable packaging alternatives. Moving from one ethical venture to another, in 2004 she started Babaloo, a company that proved that ethical and environmental products for parents and babies can be high-quality, cost-effective and in high demand. Her most recent enterprise is to turn discarded fire hose into desirable high-end fashion accessories with 50% of the profits going to the London Fire Brigade Benevolent Fund.

Kresse steps into the shoes of the legendary ethical entrepreneur, the late Dame Anita Roddick, who was a great supporter of the Business & IP Centre and one of its expert advisors. Representing the next generation of ethical entrepreneurs inspired by Dame Anita, Kresse has the insight, experience and passion for succeeding her.

The British Library Business Engagement Manager Gaby Rose said: “'Ask an Expert' sessions are a unique chance to bounce ideas off on seasoned entrepreneurs who have been through all the highs and lows of setting up a business. Ethical enterprise is a fast-growing and incredibly interesting sector right now and this is a fantastic opportunity to talk face-to-face with a experienced entrepreneur who has founded three successful and ethical businesses.”

For interviews with Kresse Wesling and further information please contact: British Library Press Office Suvi Kankainen telephone + 44 (0)207412 7105, email: suvi.kankainen@bl.uk or Lawrence Christensen telephone +44 (0)20 7412 7114, email: lawrence.christensen@bl.uk.

Notes for Editors:

The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It provides world-class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection. Further information is available on the Library's website at www.bl.uk, which currently receives almost 2 million 'hits' or visits per month.

The British Library Business & IP Centre is supported by the London Development Agency to provide a single access point to support entrepreneurs and SMEs in London to gain access to and exploit existing and new business and IP information, and other relevant content and data, guided by impartial Library information experts and associated partners. The Business & IP Centre has been used by over 30,000 people since it opened in March 2006. An independent survey of 230 users in 2007 showed that it helped create 47 new companies, took a further 48 to start-up and helped create 115 new jobs. Access to the Centre is free, but users need a Reader Pass; for more information visit: www.bl.uk/bipc