Mosaic Events Limited was launched less than three months ago, but it has already earned its founder recognition in the York and North Yorkshire Shell Livewire awards. CATHERINE BRUCE talked to young entrepreneur Sarah Byrne about her fledgling business.

BEATING a wrestling promoter, a skincare guru and a BMX enthusiast to the title of runner-up in York and North Yorkshire's Young Entrepreneur awards is no mean feat.

But when you only gave up your full-time job in December to devote yourself to your business, the achievement is even more impressive.

That is exactly what happened to 26-year-old Sarah Byrne, who launched her events management company, Mosaic Events Limited, based at York's Fishergate Centre, at the start of 2004.

Running her own business was a childhood dream for Sarah, and Mosaic Events has been in the pipeline for the last year.

"I have always wanted to run my own business. I wanted to work for myself and I enjoy a challenge," she said.

Her first step to achieving her ambition was going to an event by Yorkshire Forward on setting up a business.

She had already gathered experience in event management at West Yorkshire Police, a corporate law firm in Leeds and a hotel chain. The next move was to write a business plan and secure a bank loan.

So in December she gave up her job and she was working on the business full-time by January.

Entering the Shell Livewire award was meant to be a practice run to improve her chances in the competition next year so Sarah was shocked and delighted when she came in second. As well as a £500 cash boost, which she intends to put back into the company, she will compete against the region's fat cats of the future at Shell Livewire's regional final in Leeds.

Her business adviser, Tony Breckin, who also advised Livewire winner Rosie Ellis, of Scenecraft UK, recommended she have a go at the contest this year as practice.

"It's a real achievement. I was shocked because there were some fantastic people there," she said.

"The judges said they were impressed by my health and safety standards and my enthusiasm. They said they believed I had the determination to carry the business forward."

So far Mosaic has mainly been organising conferences, and Sarah sources the best venues and events packages for her clients.

She hopes to take on a member of staff by the end of the year. After three years she aims to have a team of four or five workers organising events in the area and have relocated the business to a larger premises in the city.

"I wouldn't want it to get bigger than five members of staff as I don't want to lose the personal side of the service," she said.

Getting to know her customers is one of the reasons she plans to keep the business in York.

"York is big enough in terms of business but small enough that you can get to know a lot of people in the business community," she said.

"I like to get involved in the local community and I am looking to do charity work once the business takes off."

Updated: 09:37 Tuesday, March 23, 2004