Everton Rock, the Founder of Merritt Rock and a business acquisitions specialist, has been honoured with the Best New Startup award.

Everton was presented with the award at the Branded Retreat hosted by Big Business Events, founded by the esteemed Forbes Coach Adam Stott.

Everton has not only secured his own financial future but is now on a mission to empower others, particularly within the UK’s Black community. His journey from financial uncertainty to acquiring a six-figure portfolio of business assets is a powerful testament to resilience, education, and understanding the “language of money.”

Recent data shows that Black households have a median wealth of £137,000, significantly lower than the national average. Everton is committed to addressing this gap by sharing the knowledge and strategies that contributed to his success, with the goal of empowering others and fostering greater economic freedom.

Everton’s story begins in 2018, ten years away from retirement, with a pension pot that would not sustain the lifestyle he envisioned. Despite a decade of military service and years in the satellite broadcasting and digital media industry, Everton found himself at a crossroads, with just £17,000 in the bank at age 55.

Everton said: “I realised I had to do something drastic. I couldn’t face the idea of not fulfilling my potential, or worse, proving the naysayers right.”

Everton challenged himself to amass £5 million within five years. Without a clear plan, he immersed himself in learning the mindset and strategies of the truly wealthy.

He added: “It was like learning a new language. I had to shift from a consumer mindset to that of a capitalist, which was crucial in navigating the financial landscape.”

Everton’s journey was far from smooth. He cashed in his pension, putting everything on the line with no safety net. Investing thousands in courses, books, and mentors, he devoted 30 hours a week alongside a full-time job to mastering financial analysis, business valuations, negotiation, and leadership. His commitment paid off as he began confidently negotiating multi-million-pound deals, acquiring businesses, and securing a future of generational wealth.

“The experience was transformative,” says Everton. “I’ve learned that anyone can achieve financial success if they commit to understanding how money really works. It’s about more than just making money; it’s about creating lasting wealth and financial freedom.”

Everton is particularly passionate about sharing his journey with the UK’s Black community. “Growing up, I didn’t have a mentor who could teach me the language of money. I want to be that mentor for others now. Financial literacy is a key to breaking cycles of poverty and creating generational wealth, especially in communities that have historically been excluded from these opportunities.”

Reflecting on his journey, Everton added: “I want to show others that it’s possible to rise above any situation. I’ve made it my mission to empower people with the tools they need to succeed, no matter where they start from.”

Today, Everton continues to expand his portfolio, acquiring resilient business assets, and setting an example for others to follow. He remains committed to helping others achieve financial independence and aims to make a lasting impact on the Black community in the UK.

“Success is about more than just numbers in a bank account,” Everton concludes. “It’s about creating a legacy, and I believe that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve this if they’re willing to put in the work.”

For further information, visit www.merritt-rock.com

Raihan Islam, celebrated as one of the UK’s most versatile management consultants, has been awarded the ‘Best Story Award’ at Big Business Events.

Acting as a trusted Principal Advisor in a C-level capacity for numerous business owners, his journey has not only liberated these entrepreneurs to focus on their passions but has also enabled him to develop non-profits dedicated to mental health and international security.

The recognition at Big Business Events is a testament to his unwavering dedication and the impactful story of transformation and resilience that continues to inspire many.

Amidst the harsh winter of January 2022, the looming threat of a Russian invasion became a harsh reality for many in Ukraine, including Raihan and his family. The immense tension and concern for their safety led to a difficult decision: they left Ukraine, relocating temporarily to Istanbul before finally settling in London. Though Raihan was familiar with London, the transition was a new challenge for his family.

During this period, his passion for advocating democracy and international security, particularly through supporting Ukraine, intensified. However, his employment demands restricted his ability to fully commit to his family or his cause. Despite launching a podcast to support Ukraine, the content production pace was slower than desired. Tragedy struck with the loss of multiple relatives in Ukraine, both combatants and civilians, yet the family remained resilient.

In April 2023, Raihan left his employment as Senior Cybersecurity Product Manager at EPAM Systems, seeking greater time freedom. In May, during a therapy session discussing life changes, he received the devastating news of his brother’s death. Despite the proximity of his second child’s birth, he attended the funeral and returned just in time to welcome a beautiful baby boy. However, the prospect of growing his business, High-Velocity Startups, still seemed distant.

A turning point came in August when his wife, Mariana, introduced him to an event on monetising social media for business owners. This experience catalysed his growth as a business owner, leading to business coaching, expert speaker training, and significant networking advancements. He obtained executive training and certification as a Certified Chair™ through the Advisory Board Centre, renewed his Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification, and became Vice President of a local BNI chapter. Additionally, he honed skills in branding, marketing, sales, and public speaking through Big Business Events and Assets for Life.

Raihan has also featured on Sky News, talking about Cybersecurity and SEO in 2013.

This skill-building journey culminated in the significant transformation of his business into High-Velocity Startups, a full-time operation balancing business development and client value delivery. This transformation allowed him to support his wife’s professional journey as an events videographer and contribute to ComputerWeekly.com on startup growth. Over the past six months, he has doubled his revenue, won the Signature Solution Award from the Expert Speaker Academy, launched two podcasts called “Everything will be Ukraine!” and “High-Velocity Startups” podcast, and secured speaking engagements. These achievements have provided a platform where he promotes humanitarian non-profit charities including Voices of Children. This has inspired him to create a system for first responders, supporting mental health in highly sensitive roles, a concept he is currently developing.

Through these experiences, the consultant has learned the immense power of resilience and strategic networking. By leveraging his skills to help clients realise their dreams, he has also been able to realise his own.

For more information about support, visit: highvelocitystartups.com

Andreas Demetriou, Founder of 360 Shutters and Blinds Ltd, has been awarded the prestigious ‘Brand of the Future’ Award by Big Business Events. This accolade recognises Andreas’s remarkable journey from his modest beginnings on a farm to building a successful business with a turnover nearing half a million pounds.

The Brand of the Future Award from Big Business Events, founded by Adam Stott, celebrates Andreas’s hard work and innovation. This recognition underscores the impact of his commitment to delivering high-quality products and exceptional service. Andreas’s belief in taking decisive action and not living with regret has been a driving force behind his success.

Andreas’s journey began on a farm in Cyprus before he moved to the UK, where he spent ten years mastering his craft as a carpenter, followed by eight years working as a blind fitter and learning the intricacies of the blinds industry. In 2021, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Andreas took a bold step, launching 360 Shutters and Blinds Ltd with little more than his expertise, substantial debt, and a determination to succeed.

Andreas said: “I started with nothing but debt and a dream. I was deeply in the red, but I knew I had the skills and drive to make it work.”

The initial years were challenging. Andreas faced the hurdles of establishing supplier relationships and building a customer base, with his first year marked by financial losses. Misguided advice to draw a high wage worsened his early financial difficulties, but seeking professional guidance helped him pivot his strategy.

Andreas added: “I had to sacrifice my earnings per job just to build my accounts and gain trust from suppliers. It was a difficult period, but my persistence and patience eventually paid off.”

His efforts bore fruit as he developed a strong portfolio and secured ongoing work with multiple companies, allowing him to enhance his business’s reputation and secure better discounts with suppliers.

Andreas’s effective time management and strong supplier relationships played a key role in his company’s growth. This exposure helped him build a robust portfolio and attract more clients, further strengthening his market position.

Andreas continued: “As I started to grow, I learned more about the products available and how to integrate them into my services. Making quick decisions and taking action became essential for progress.

“I want to take my kids to school without worrying about finances, and achieving this level of success is incredibly rewarding. This award reflects not just our past achievements but also our future potential.”

With the business now on solid footing, Andreas is focused on further growth and expansion. He remains committed to seeking new opportunities, continuing to provide superior service and expanding the 360 Shutters and Blinds team.

For more information, please visit www.360shuttersandblinds.com.