The Graham Shapiro Foundation

The Challenge: To swim all the major lakes in the Lake District in two days.

1 Man | 8 Lakes | 48 hours | 11,200m of swimming

Each swim, taken on its own is very achievable. Yet as each hour progresses the workload and exposure to cold and fatigue will begin to take it’s toll. This is a doable challenge to begin but a tough to finish!

Graham Shapiro will swim Wastwater 1,000m, Crummock 1,000m, Buttermere 900m, Bassenthwaite 1,600m, Windermere 900m, Coniston 1,000m, Ullswater 800m and Derwentwater 2,000m in 48 hours.

Graham commented: “This was one of the most incredible, hardest and yet most exhilarating sporting challenges I’ve ever taken on. I could not have done it without my support team. Love and special thanks to My PT Jonathan Biddle, physio Ruddi Farquharson, Pete Kelly from Swim the Lakes and Ian Golding our driver. My amazing family and friends and every single person that sponsored me. Thank you so much! X

Special thanks also corporate sponsors Bentley Manchester, BPE Solicitors LLP and Zone3 Ltd. Your contributions made a difference.”

Juan Rosalina Tejoprayitno and Daniel Barnes were selected from more than 70 entries and 10 finalists for the coveted title, in the University of Chester initiative run by The Graham Shapiro Foundation and powered by ARCET Global.

Juan Rosalina, known as Lina, and Daniel have won £1,000 plus a mentorship programme from the Foundation to further develop Pop Specs, their business which aims to change the way people buy prescription glasses.

The pair met while studying for their Master’s in Business Administration at the University’s Business School and quickly became best friends. During the first lockdown of 2020 they set upon the idea to create trendy, affordable, and instantly ready specs. Dan’s expertise in optics and Lina’s ability to get the job done helped them to make Pop Specs a reality; a dream come true.

Using high-tech, cutting-edge machinery, customers can visit a kiosk, and benefit from a fitting service and styling advice. They only need to wait 20 minutes to get their new single vision glasses – including the frame, lens and anti-glare coating, for just £25 to £45. The fashionable frames along with the affordable price range and speed are making Pop Specs stand out from online competitors and other glasses stores.

They currently have a kiosk at the Trafford Centre in Manchester and plan to open in more prime locations.

Lina, who was born and raised in Indonesia and studied her undergraduate degree in Chicago, said: “Thank you to Graham Shapiro, the Foundation, ARCET Global, the University of Chester Business School and all the judges for this award.

“It means so much to us and will help us to expand the business and help others we work with and offer a service to.”

Daniel, from Chester, said: “We believe our idea will revolutionise the eyewear industry and this award chosen by inspiring business leaders gives us greater confidence and incentive.

“Being a start-up venture, it inspires us to push harder and further. Thank you for all the work in offering this opportunity.”

Graham Shapiro, driving force for the Challenge and Entrepreneur in Residence at University of Chester Business School, said: “Congratulations to Lina and Daniel. The competition was intense and very competitive; the level of initiative and enterprise has been incredible – but they are very deserving winners with their new take on how people visit eyewear retailers and purchase their glasses.

“On behalf of The Graham Shapiro Foundation, I would like to thank all participants for taking part in the Enterprise Challenge 2021.

“The aim of these awards is to encourage entrepreneurial endeavour, reward initiative and recognise that good ideas can come from anywhere and anyone, at any time – and the competition has highlighted some remarkable examples.

“I also want to thank our expert judges: Alissa Koopal, Cody Gapare, Joel Blake OBE, John Mohin OBE, Martin Nolan and Rob McKay; my Trustee Mark Hamill and his company ARCET Global for the incredible online awards platform and virtual ceremony, Associate Prof Connie Hancock, Dr Henry Sidsaph and the marketing team at the University of Chester.”

Mark Hamill, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of ARCET Global said: “ARCET Global is proud to be able to support such a fantastic initiative. As young entrepreneurs ourselves, we know just how important these opportunities are. Kudos to The Graham Shapiro Foundation and University of Chester for bringing this to life.

“Well done to all the finalists, to make it that far is a huge achievement in itself, and a huge congratulations to Daniel and Lina, we wish you and Pop Specs all the best in the future.”

Dr Connie Hancock, Associate Professor and Head of Department for Management at Chester Business School added: “Lina and Daniel are extremely worthy winners – and this award recognises their innovation and drive. We are extremely proud of all they have achieved – and are set to further achieve.

“We are privileged to be able to support students and graduates with this Enterprise Challenge made possible by Graham Shapiro, the Foundation, ARCET Global and our amazing judges.”

To watch a video of the virtual awards ceremony, which was initially live streamed on Wednesday July 14, videos from all the finalists, and for further information about the Enterprise Challenge, please visit: https://arcetglobal.com/uc-enterprise-challenge.

More about Pop Specs is available at https://www.pop-specs.com, https://www.facebook.com/PopSpecsTraffordCentre and https://www.instagram.com/pop.specs.

Full details on the judging panel:

John M Mohin OBE D.Univ, Chairman of Graham Shapiro Design; Alissa Koopal, Chief Executive Officer at Pennine Events Ltd; Rob McKay, Managing Director of Sherrington Associates; Martin Nolan, Business and Leadership Coach; Cody Gapare, Founder of multi award-winning C-Lash as seen by Eylure, and Joel Blake OBE, Business Leader, Entrepreneur and Public Speaker.

The Graham Shapiro Foundation Enterprise Challenge 2021, gives an opportunity for student entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to our expert panel. If you are a registered Student with an Innovative and Entrepreneurial idea you can enter right here for the chance to win £1000 + mentorship programme.

No matter what stage of business you are in, you are eligible to enter and submit your business form for a chance to compete.

Founder Graham Shapiro, driving force behind The Graham Shapiro Foundation Enterprise Challenge, was clear about what this will achieve:

“We are very proud to support this. The Graham Shapiro Foundation recognises the latent potential that young entrepreneurs hold, for themselves, the wider community and the greater good.

Our objectives are clear: we want to give them every possible encouragement to realise their dreams. The Enterprise Challenge is focused firmly upon stimulating young people to step forward with confidence and take pride in their ambitions, by providing a strong incentive, one that will effectively transform vision into enterprise. Our goal is nothing less than to give them a taste of their own success.

Special thanks to ARCET Global and our incredible panel of judges John M. Mohin OBE D.Univ , Cody Gapare (CMgr MCMI MBA), Joel Blake OBE , Alissa Koopal , Rob McKay , Martin Nolan.”