Inspiring Business by Sharing Success
Stephen is a dynamic creative entrepreneur and very much an influencer in his own right.
A natural presenter and creative personality Stephen brings an abundance of passion and creative design to any enterprise, having set-up two businesses from scratch and becoming a much loved and respected entrepreneur, being a face for local business in the East Midlands.
Stephen has supported Love Business since 2016 through KuKu Connect where he co-hosts a special annual networking Connect Reception at the Love Business Expo each year.
Stephen is well-known for his support of the business community and provides his top tips for networking at the Love Business Expo and in the annual magazine.
Stephen was born in Mansfield Woodhouse in 1981 and went to school at the Manor Comprehensive Secondary School in Mansfield.
Stephen’s raw creative talent shone out at an early stage particularly in art and design and the stage. At the age of 14 following a supervised test Stephen was invited to join the high IQ society Mensa with an IQ score of 155 which places him in the top 1% of the UK.
He is a well-known personality in the East Midlands who has gained star status over social media for supporting thousands of organisations during the pandemic.
Stephen’s infectious character and enthusiasm naturally took him to work with people, working first in the Airline Industry as Cabin Crew, then into HR and People Management in the NHS and Health Care Sector.
Stephen’s natural creative and design skills had grown from his college days into a hobby, where he trained in graphic and digital design, before finally taking the plunge from part-time hobby into self-employment into setting up his own business in 2013.
One of Stephen’s proudest moments was meeting HM The Queen at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party, which he was invited to in recognition of his impact on local businesses and support of the wider community.
Stephen co-founded KuKu Connect, in 2016, which is now a multi award-winning networking organisation and one of the top networks in the Midlands and wider UK.
Stephen is an active community supporter and has championed a myriad of charity and community initiatives including City Arts where he serves as a Trustee, the Nottingham Park Garden Trail and Pride.
Stephen’s passion for travel and culture took him around the world twice.
He worked as an extra on top television shows in the 1990s, and featured in a number of other shows including The Weakest Link, Take Me Out and Channel 4’s Cookery School with Richard Corrigan.
He enjoys all things creative from pottery to aerial trapeze and loves nothing more than a party and dancing. He is an accomplished baker and always enjoys a good drop of red wine, walks in the countryside and animals.
Stephen was going to train at RADA as a young talent, he was auditioned for a boy band and Dame Joan Collins once said to Stephen ‘have you come dressed like this for Halloween?’, to which Stephen replied ‘no, have you?’.