MYP Talk x AMBS - Entrepreneurship - 04.07.23

Over the last few years, it's been great to see the city produce so many incredible entrepreneurs.

Here at MYP, in partnership with our Educational Partner, Alliance Manchester Business School we are passionate about hearing stories that inspire and educate the next entrepreneur in the region!

We have a fantastic panel lined up, who will be discussing their journey and sharing dome wisdom to bring their stories to life!

Michael Vachon - Maverick Drinks
Deepa Vakil - YOR Dental
Jack Brewitt - 92 Degrees
James Douglas - Reds True BBQ

After the 1 hour talk there will be free pizza and drinks for everyone, with the chance to ask the panel questions on a one to one basis!

Panel

Deepa Vakil

Deepa is Clinical Director & Co-Founder of YOR Dental, a multi-award winning, state of the art dental practice located in Salford Quays. They provide a full range of general dentistry and advanced dental treatments to patients in the north west.

Deepa Vakil graduated from Guy’s, Kings and St Thomas dental institute in 2003.

Deepa has a passion to provide high quality dentistry with excellent service to all her patients. Throughout her career she has worked in a number of private practices in London and has a vast amount of experience behind her.

With a passion for cosmetic dentistry she has become one of the largest Invisalign providers in the North of England and currently sits on the Scientific advisory board and teach colleague Invisalign. She has continued her education in specialist fields of dentistry by attending courses throughout the UK and abroad, thus making sure that my clinical skills are up to date enabling me to deliver high quality dentistry to all my patients.

She aims to bring her dentistry to her patients in a relaxed and comfortable manner. Deepa continues to work on improving herself to provide the best dentistry to her patients. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, music and painting.

Jack Brewitt

Jack founded 92 Degrees (Liverpool's first roastery coffee shop business) in 2014.

Having worked in tech in San Francisco and working for Social Chain for a number of years while running 92 Degrees from afar. 92 Degrees now employs over 100 people and operates in 7 cities and sells coffee around the world. 

Jack is also a partner at Fearless Adventures, an investment firm founded by one of his old bosses at Social Chain - Dominic McGregor. 

James Douglas

James Douglas was the co-founder of Reds True Barbecue, the UK restaurant chain and Nationwide range of retail food products.

An accomplished operator and advisor to national F&B and FMCG brands, James' core skills revolve around growth, strategy, marketing, product development, operational excellence and generating new commercial opportunities.

James was also the co-founder of Legitimate Industries Brewery, Brewskis Biscuits, Craft on Draft, and BrewDog X BD Regional Bars, the successful Nationwide joint venture with BrewDog Plc.

Michael Vachon

Michael is co-founder of Maverick Drinks, a specialist drinks distribution company, which has helped countless craft drinks brands to scale globally. Maverick Drinks’ disruptive approach to brand building saw the business win multiple awards before being acquired by ZX Ventures (as part of Atom Group) in 2018. In 2020, Michael continued his entrepreneurial journey launching Citizens of Soil, alongside his wife and co-founder, to bring fair, sustainable, and flavourful extra virgin olive oil to the UK. Described as "the rolex in a sea of casio olive oils", Citizens of Soil is now available in over 150 Waitrose locations and is the first low-waste refill option for olive oil in any national retailer. 

Michael is also an MBA graduate at Alliance Manchester Business School. As a founder himself, he understands the challenges early stage businesses face and now also advises other innovative drinks brands on their growth, bringing his deep network and experience of route-to-market to help them scale.