A teenager who started her own business when she was just 14 has become the youngest winner of a prestigious award - at the tender age of 16!
Beth Perkin, aged 16 from St Ives, was presented with a ’30 Under 30’ award at the black-tie dinner, achieving the status of the youngest person ever to be awarded the accolade for her business Cornish Spliced.
The event on Thursday, May 18 recognised the 30 most innovative young businesspeople aged under 30 years of age in Cornwall for 2023, including entrepreneurs, change makers, prosperity creators and eco-warriors.
Starting her innovative business - Cornish Spliced - when she was just 14 years of age and building its success over the past 18 months is a huge achievement, and the announcement of her award was met with cheers and rounds of applause.
Kim Conchie, CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, who hosted the ceremony said: “Starting a new business is a challenge, so meeting this challenge at Beth’s age of 16 is particularly inspiring. Cornish Spliced is an example of the innovative, alternative and collaborative businesses that we have here in Cornwall.
"Beth is an inspiration to us all that if you are determined and resourceful, you can make your business ideas a reality. On behalf of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, we would like to congratulate Beth on becoming our youngest ever ’30 Under 30’ recipient and we will be watching her and Cornish Spliced with interest as I’m sure this is just the beginning.”
Now in their eighth year, the awards, which are organised by Cornwall Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Whyfield, Business Cornwall magazine, Pirate FM, Coodes and Truro and Penwith College, look for entries that represent the true diversity Cornwall has to offer and the unique contribution passionate and talented young people are adding to the county.
Beth Perkin said: “It was a surprise to be nominated, let alone receive this award. So I am extremely proud to be the youngest person ever to be recognised. What started as a challenge with my grandad to find a purpose for his retired fishing rope has taken on a life of its own.
It’s thanks to my family who have supported my idea that Cornish Spliced has grown into an established business. Over the past 18 months I’ve been overwhelmed by people’s reaction to Cornish Spliced and how many have wanted to buy products, from individuals to wholesalers. My mission was to offer beautiful and thought-provoking products to people who would love them as much as I do - and Cornish Spliced is achieving that. I’m so grateful to everyone that has helped to make this happen.”
Cornish Spliced breathes new life into salvaged fishing rope and ghost gear, repurposing it into a range of products including wall-hangings, mats, bowls, keyrings, dog leads and toys.
Starting with “grandad’s” retired fishing gear, Cornish Spliced now receives salvaged ghost gear from as far afield as Scotland, whilst working directly with harbours such as Newlyn to prevent discarded fishing gear from going to landfill or incineration, breathing new life into the materials and repurposing them.
READ NEXT:
WATCH: 'You can't park there mate' Car recovered from the sea at St Agnes
The Cornish Spliced family also scoop up ghost gear on daily beach cleans, giving it a new life and preventing it from re-entering the sea, also removing any rubbish and plastics, passing them along to other crafters in the county to reuse, leading the #rePURPOSEDinCORNWALL community.
As well as direct sales via Cornish Spliced’s website and social media, points of sale include environmental and heritage charities through to lifestyle businesses, gallery shops and pet stores, where the unique products are attracting interest from those who love Cornwall or feel passionately about the environment and repurposing.
With generations of Cornish fishing in her blood, Beth is proud to keep the heritage skill of splicing alive, with Cornish Spliced not only utilising the skill, but offering workshops to teach others – including corporate workshops and teambuilding days alongside mental health experiences for charities.
Cornish Spliced’s story, news and products can be found at www.CornishSpliced.co.uk or on social media.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here