‘YBG key to my success and happiness in Guernsey’ - new president
The new president of the Young Business Group has said that the organisation has shaped much of her life and career since moving to the island.
Sophie Bonakdar, account manager at PR firm Orchard, moved to the island from Doncaster on her own seven years ago. She said she had ‘never really heard of Guernsey before’.
Becoming a member of YBG had helped her to build a social network on the island and develop her career.
‘The Young Business Group I attribute to most of my success and happiness in Guernsey,’ she said.
‘It’s very important to me. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to do half the things I do in my job. It’s given me immense confidence and it has given me a very, very strong network. I feel incredibly lucky and I don’t take anything for granted.’
Miss Bonakdar graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in metalwork and jewellery design. She spent 10 years working in luxury jewellery retail and moved to the island for a job opportunity at local jewellers Catherine Best. It was there that she met Vikki Freeman, former YBG president, who suggested she join the group.
‘I’ve been a member almost as long as I’ve lived here,’ she said.
‘I instantly made a very large connection of people that I wouldn’t usually meet and I can attribute most of my strongest friendships in Guernsey, as well as my career, to the Young Business Group.’
YBG is a non-profit organisation that was created about 65 years ago from the Chamber of Commerce, with the intention of creating a ‘safe, connecting space for younger people in business, both in their age and/or in the infancy of their business’.
It currently has around 160 members and holds monthly networking breakfast, dinner and drinks events, as well as other opportunities to take part in business and community projects. It has a biannual ball and regular activities such as boat trips and pottery painting.
‘I’m very proud that I can hold my hand up and say we are the most diverse group on the island in terms of the range of events we offer,’ said Miss Bonakdar.
After five years at the jewellers, she said that her experience of networking with YBG gave her the confidence to change careers into public relations.
‘I’m very good at taking leaps of faith,’ she said. ‘The best bit about my job is what makes me good at YBG, which is building the relationships with my clients – what my boss calls “my superpower”.’
After four years she was asked to become the YBG’s membership secretary, and from there became vice-president, serving alongside her ‘best friend’ Rebecca Hale, and then president.
As well as focusing on sustainability on the island, Miss Bonakdar said the group will be encouraging people to vote in the upcoming election and explaining why it’s important to do so.
‘Most of our membership is made up of expats like myself, so we want to give people the tools to be able to make their own decisions going forward,’ she said.
‘I’m all about creating some memorable experiences that give something back to people.’
