Pendle young entrepreneur makes candle for Prince Andrew's office (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Pendle young entrepreneur makes candle for Prince Andrew's office

12:42pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

Dragon’s Den’s Peter Jones, the Duke of York, stall helpers Irham Sajid and Aneesa Riaz, and Ameena Bibi at Buckingham Palace where Ameena received the Tycoon in Schools Award for her bespoke candles

A CANDLE created by a budding tycoon from Pendle has taken pride of place in the office of Prince Andrew.

Ameena Bibi, 18, whose company, Occasions by Ameena, makes and sells bespoke candles and other products, won the Tycoon in Schools Award for Sustainability after impressing Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones.

Ameena, a student at Nelson and Colne College, travelled to Buckingham Palace to collect her award. She said: “I can’t even come up with a word to describe how good the day was – amazing doesn’t even come close!

“We had the best time and it was fantastic to meet the other competitors and see their projects.

“Some of the businesses were fantastic and to think that mine was considered to be on par with them was incredible.

“Peter Jones said he thought my candles would sell really well in stores like Lush, while Prince Andrew mentioned me in his speech. Plus, the royal aide said that the candle I gave Prince Andrew when he visited the college was kept in the Prince’s office.”

Ameena’s friends, Aneesa Riaz and Irham Sajid, who helped on her stall at markets, and her business studies tutor and mentor Justine Thatcher, accompanied to London for the presentation.

Her tutor said: “This competition has transformed Ameena; she is bursting with confidence, energy and drive.

“She took a hobby and built it into a profitable business which has been recognised by Peter Jones as a sustainable business venture.”

Mr Jones said: “This business has a huge potential not only locally but within other retailers and market fairs where these types of products are in great demand.”

Ameena beat off competition from more than 112 teams to win her award.