Healthy juice drink is now bearing fruit for young entrepreneur
ASwansea university student and serial entrepreneur is set to make waves in the drinks industry following the development of a healthy beverage which combines fruit juice with pure oxygen.
Recently turned 21, Jackson Pickard co-owns Oxyose, an award-winning start-up that offers an alternative to sugary energy drinks, providing consumers with a natural, oxygenated boost.
The concept behind Oxyose was initially devised by Jackson’s business partner Julieta Ose Ahmedze, aged 21, back when the pair were 18.
The idea had never before been developed commercially in the UK, and the duo were keen to explore its potential.
Jackson ordered a specialist mixing machine which froths fruit juice and injects pure oxygen into the mixture.
The result is a low calorie fruit juice energy drink that doesn’t lose flavour and is ideal when consumed before exercising.
Jackson had demonstrated his entrepreneurial flair from a young age, creating an on-the-go food and drinks shop at his secondary school during lunch breaks, and even developing a clothing line aged 17 with a friend.
Jackson now balances his university studies in business management with managing the development of Oxyose. Currently Jackson and Juliet are looking to franchise Oxyose within health cafes and gyms across the country.
Following the development of Oxyose, the pair have been travelling the length and breadth of the country raising the profile of the brand and hosting pop-up stalls at business events for the likes of Barclays, PwC and the Financial Times.
Jackson and his business partner have even set up links with a business associate in Bulgaria, who is managing events and sales of Oxyose overseas.
Jackson said: “Throughout our time growing Oxyose, we’ve been lucky enough to win start-up funding and secured a loan which has allowed us to invest money into equipment and develop our brand.
“We’re also busy exploring the science behind the drink and looking into whether we could bottle Oxyose, which is the ultimate goal. But for the time being, our focus will be on franchising to health bars and popular gyms like Easy Gym or David Lloyd.”
Throughout his time at university Jackson has received support from Big Ideas Wales, the Welsh Government’s Youth Entrepreneurship Service and part of Business Wales, which is partfunded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Big Ideas Wales supports young people aged between five and 25 in developing entrepreneurial skills.
During Fresher’s Week, Jackson was put in touch with Dave Bolton, Swansea University’s Enterprise Champion, who introduced him to the services of Big Ideas Wales, including the annual Bootcamp to Business event.
The three-day residential workshop, which returns to Margam Discovery Centre next month, will play host to 50 young entrepreneurs with the aim of equipping them with the essential skills they need to help get business ready and grow their network of connections.
Jackson attended last year’s event as a participant, and this year he will attend in his capacity as a youth ambassador for Big Ideas Wales, offering guidance to his peers who are in the same position as he was just one year ago.
Jackson said: “Bootcamp to Business was one of the best things I was involved in last year. I’ve been able to build a real network in Swansea and the wider area, and it’s clear to me that Wales is a really nurturing environment for young entrepreneurs. There’s a lot of support on offer.”
Seeing an opportunity to expand his entrepreneurship network still further, Jackson set up Swansea University’s first Entrepreneurship Society, a group which encourages students to follow their business ambitions. With the support of Big Ideas Wales and Santander Universities, which both attended the launch, the society will now offer its members weekly initiatives including external speakers and workshop events, many of which will be hosted by Big Ideas Wales Role Models – businesspeople who actively mentor young entrepreneurs.
Despite juggling Oxyose, his studies and the Entrepreneurship Society, Jackson is continuing to develop two app ideas – one for the security industry and one social networking site.