Three young entrepreneurs have set an inspiring example to others by scooping a double success in this year s Barking and Dagenham Business Awards with their innovative new firm. Craig Jones, James Nash and Josh Coleman are only 22 years old and not long

Three young entrepreneurs have set an inspiring example to others by scooping a double success in this year's Barking and Dagenham Business Awards with their innovative new firm.

Craig Jones, James Nash and Josh Coleman are only 22 years old and not long out of university, but they have already achieved what most businesses can only dream of - winning the Innovation Award and the Best New Business Award for their one-year-old company, Bike Dock Solutions.

Business manager Craig said: "We were delighted. It's nice to be recognised for the hard work that we have put into it.

"We have been competing with other businesses that were well established.

"We're particularly pleased about that, especially in this economic climate."

While most twentysomethings and graduates face a dire employment market with a sense of despair, these three decided to take matters into their own hands.

They started Bike Dock Solutions, based at The Old Barking Power Station, River Road, Barking - a company that makes environmentally-sustainable, secure and aesthetically pleasing bicycle racks for the growing number of cyclists in London.

Recycled

The racks, which are made with recycled materials where feasible, make bike parking safer, which in turn is said to encourage more people to take to the saddle.

Craig said that, according to recent research, many Londoners do not cycle because they fear their bicycle will be stolen.

He said: "It's all very well telling people to cycle, but as much as we need to encourage cycling we need to encourage an infrastructure for cycling as well."

By doing all of the work themselves, including installation, they manage to keep costs to a minimum.

Only the manufacturing of the bike stands is done by an outside company, based in the east of England, and they constantly work with suppliers in an effort to improve their products.

Craig said: "It's certainly challenging and exciting to do such a wide range of things.

"I might do an installation in the morning and later put on a suit and go to a meeting in the evening."

His upbeat message for other young entrepreneurs is that they should try to do things themselves.

Craig said: "You don't have to be afraid that it's all doom and gloom.

"Try and be a bit more positive - that's what we would like to get across to people.