Living the Dream campaign to save the arts in education 1st December 2012
Zoe is a finalist for the Natwest Everywoman Awards. 20th November 2012
Zoe wins Young Person of the Year Award. 27th September 2012
Living the Dream School of Performing Arts give two scholarships for a year. 14th September 2012
Living the Dream launch dance app on Virgin Media's TiVo. 13th June 2012
Living the Dream launch dance company and charity with I Have a Dream show. 3rd March 2012
See our Storify Blog for her journey, online press, photos and quotes!
Herts Advertiser - 14th March 2013
Herts Advertiser - 7th March 2013
Sunday Times Magazine - 3rd February 2013
Herts Advertiser - 4th October
Herts Advertiser - 13th September
Herts Advertiser - 6th September
Herts Advertiser - 19th July
Herts Advertiser - 21st June
St Albans Review - 27th June
Living the Dream Launch Dance App on Virgin Media's TiVo - Wednesday 13th June
Read press release on our website
Read blog on Virgin's website here
GEC 2012 - Liverpool. Tuesday 13th March
Zoe and Richard Branson arriving into Liverpool on a Virgin Train
Zoe Jackson speaking on a panel with Richard Branson
Zoe and Richard Branson "Living the Dream"
The Herts Advertiser - 8th March 2012
The Telegraph - 20th January 2012
BBC News - 5th January 2012
Zoe speaking to Prime Minister David Cameron about setting up a youth investment fund.
The Guardian - 5th January 2012
"Cameron also said the government would look at granting loans to young entrepreneurs at a similar rate to those provided to university students. "I think it is a brilliant idea," he said in response to a question from a Virgin Media Pioneer, Zoe Jackson, about a Richard Branson proposal to set up a youth investment fund. "We are providing loans for students to go to university. Why not look at something similar for people who have a great business idea and want to get started?"
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The Huffington Post - 5th January 2012
Mr Cameron described the idea - one of the proposals in November's Control Shift report from Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Media Pioneers campaign for young entrepreneurs - as "brilliant".
Zoe Jackson, founder of the Living the Dream performing arts company in St Albans, who took part in the Control Shift programme, told Mr Cameron: "The Government invests in young people that want to go to university, but not those who have valid business ideas as well. "Why not set up a youth investment fund at the same rates as student loans available to support young people and nurture their potential?"
"I think this is a brilliant idea and we are looking very closely at it." He added: "We might be announcing something like this later on."
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The Metro - 16th November 2011
“One of eight of Britain’s most inspirational young women....Zoe Jackson, who scooped the Women of the Future award in Arts, Media and Culture. Jackson created her own youth-led performing arts company when she was just 16 to inspire other young people, and was predicted by the judges to be ”pivotal in the performing arts industry. One to watch.”
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Independent on Sunday - 13th November 2011
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Sunday Times - 13th November 2011
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Tutor2u - 21st October 2011
"Zoe is fast turning into one of the UK’s most energetic and inspiring entrepreneurs for young people, a point not lost on Sir Richard Branson who has chosen Zoe as one of his three young business people to spearhead his new Control Shift campaign." - Jim Riley
Smarta - 20th October 2011
"Performing arts company Living the Dream, proves a lack of experience is no barrier to starting your own business. Launched by ambitious 16 year-old Zoe Jackson as a way of subsidising her course fees for the National Youth Theatre, the venture has now blossomed into a thriving business. One even Sir Richard Branson is excited about. The tycoon has chosen Jackson as one of three Virgin Media Pioneers who will represent the interests of young entrepreneurs in Virgin's new Control Shift campaign." - Mike Ruffles
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St Albans and Harpenden Review - 7th October 2011
A young businesswoman from St Albans will compete for the coveted title of Woman of the Future next month.
Zoe said the youth-led initiative, based in St Albans, was created to inspire young people and watch them grow in confidence, talent and self-esteem.
The managing directer has provided inspiration for others, and has become a positive role model. She said: "I got into the National Youth Theatre but my parents couldn't afford it so I decided to organise a fundraising show. This expanded and subsidised me through university. "The training is expensive so I wanted to create something that would be affordable and accessible for everyone."
She added: "It was fantastic to be nominated and I was absolutely honoured to be recognised. It shows that anything is possible."
Ms Lilani said: "Awarding and recognising Britain’s best women is crucial because not only does it champion and give such exceptional women a platform for future successes, but it also enables us to showcase them as role models for the next generation. "It’s important to show young women that they can achieve their goals and should not be deterred because of age or gender."
Zoe would like to expand the classes to a national level and now works full time at Living the Dream. She has set up a talent agency and an anti-bullying campaign called Voices Within.
The caring Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts graduate said: "Young people's voices need to be heard. What if we could make a difference?"
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Mail on Sunday - 25th September 2011 - Helen Loveless
St Albans and Harpenden Review - 16th September 2011
AN aspiring entrepreneur from St Albans, who set up a performing arts company at the age of 16, will be receiving expert advice on business. Zoe Jackson, now 22, who runs Living the Dream, has been given the opportunity to learn more about the world of business – thanks to a campaign run by Virgin Media Pioneers called Control Shift.
Priya Lakhani, founder of Masala Masala, will mentor Zoe – who for the first time will receive help managing her company. At a time when things are tough financially, Zoe said she feels lucky to be chosen. She said: “I’m very excited, it’s a fantastic opportunity me to work with somebody who is successful and to learn from them.”
The mentor will help Zoe tackle challenges such as successful marketing campaigns.
Living the Dream performing arts company is run by young people and the majority of workshops are held at Beaumont School in St Albans - where Zoe was a former pupil.
Click here to see the article
Herts Advertiser - 17th March 2011
Herts Advertiser - 17th February 2011 - Photo by Benji Photography
Camden Gazette - 2nd February 2011 - Photo by Benji Photography
St Albans Observer - July 2010 - Photo by Benji Photography
