Let’s Circus representatives Francis Odongo, Helen Averley and Steve Cousins, with North East BIC representative Louise Hardy and Italian entrepreneur Damiano Trevisi
A Newcastle-based circus has welcomed an Italian entrepreneur on a four and a half month exchange project through the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Programme.
Damiano Trevisi from Italy will join Let’s Circus on a performing tour of the Shetland Islands to gain best practice and business insight from owner Steve Cousins on running a successful circus company.
The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a cross border exchange programme which has been running for a number of years, and offers those in the early stages of starting a business the opportunity to spend three to four months within a business in Europe.
The North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) is a UK contact for anyone wishing to take part in the Erasmus programme and are currently looking to recruit companies willing to act as hosts to overseas entrepreneurs.
Damiano said: “This is a great starting point for me in my entrepreneurial journey and I’m looking forward to learning more about the administrative, advertising and public relations side of running a business. I think I will gain a lot from this experience as Let’s Circus is a great, successful company doing some really exciting things.”
Steve Cousins, manager and ringmaster at Let’s Circus, said: “I started the company with my wife ten years ago and it’s fantastic to be able to give something back to a new entrepreneur.
“Through the Erasmus Programme and the BIC, we were able to make links with Damiano who is a circus enthusiast training to become an entrepreneur within the circus arts, so it was a perfect fit not only to provide him with the support and guidance he needs but also to allow me to pass on my knowledge and experience gained during my ten years within the industry.
“I think everyone should take the opportunity to become a host within the European exchange programme. We have benefited greatly from both becoming a host and sending our own employees over to Europe, as I believe it helps you and your business to become more diverse and gain new experiences.
“Louise Hardy at the BIC has been brilliant. Throughout the whole process of getting Damiano over here, we have found that she has been really hands-on and happy to support us with anything we needed.”
