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Jay Blades to share his story at business event

Jay Blades
Jay Blades in the BBC's The Repair Shop

Businesses in North Herts will have a unique opportunity to hear from the nation’s favourite furniture up-cycler and star of The Repair Shop, Jay Blades MBE, at a special online event on 9 March.

Jay has teamed up with all local authorities in Hertfordshire to talk about his experiences as a business owner and his unconventional path to success. Starting in 2017, Jay has hosted BBC1’s primetime heart-warming show The Repair Shop. The show has run for seven series, following the stories around a workshop filled with expert craftspeople bringing treasured pieces of family history and the memories they hold back to life.

In addition to presenting, Jay spends a large amount of time working on furniture projects for commercial and individual clients, running workshops and motivating disadvantaged people in the community. Jay will talk through the obstacles he overcame – including undiagnosed dyslexia, racism and homelessness – to become one of the country’s most loved entrepreneurs and TV personalities.

Funded by the Hertfordshire Health Protection Board, the free session takes place online on 9 March from 12.30-1.30pm, including a Q&A session.

Jay Blades said: “My path to success may not have been straightforward, but those experiences made me stronger and more motivated to go onto what I’ve achieved in business and in TV. I look forward to sharing my story in a way that I hope will give businesses in Hertfordshire an entertaining break away from the day to day, to boost morale and inspire fresh thinking as we continue to rebuild after the pandemic.”

Ian Fullstone, Regulatory Service Director which includes economic development, added: “We’re thrilled that Jay is taking the time to speak to businesses in the district and county.  We know they’ve had a hard time in the pandemic, and we’re sure that if anyone can, Jay can inspire them, and show us how the most difficult challenges can often lead to great success. We expect the session to be hugely popular so please book early to avoid disappointment.”

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