Our Story
How The FRANK Team got started
Stage 1 – Youth 2 Youth
In January 2001, Jessica Kiely was working as a volunteer on her local youth team - HYPE - for Baulkham Hills Shire Council. The new team was asked to run a youth event for National Youth Week with a big budget. While their event attracted lots of support and attendance (there were DJ and skating comps, dancing mascots, chill out tents and hundreds of local young people) they received no event training.
"I realised there were lots of young people in the same position - running events without event management or promotions experience - so I wrote the training program!" said Jessica.
Because of Jessica's experience and interest in the area of running youth events, in March 2001 she piloted two youth skills workshops - one on youth event management (called 'A Youth Event By You') and another on youth PR skills ('Be A PR Star') at the Youth Action & Policy Association (YAPA) state conference for their youth delegates. Running both workshops confirmed Jessica's suspicion that no one was running youth specific training for active young Australians. She also realised that the youth-to-youth training approach based on first hand experience and a peer formula was the key to her success.
As a business owner from the age of 19, Jessica also knew that there were gaps in the youth business services market. Youth-friendly support and networking for young entrepreneurs didn't exist! (Her first ever visit to a business support centre ended with the advice "that's nice dear, now go get a real job!")
Undeterred, in July 2001 Jessica registered the business name 'Youth 2 Youth' with fellow HYPE team member Ainsley, and Youth 2 Youth was born to connect, educate and encourage young entrepreneurs and enterprising young people.
Jessica's new business partner, Karen Miles, who started her first business at 23 and is now the bestselling author of 'Career Advice you wish your mum had told you', joined Jessica in 2003 to continue Y2Y's journey.
Stage 2 – The FRANK Team
Up until 2005, Youth 2 Youth worked solely with young people 15 to 35 yrs old. But then "older" grown ups starting asking for our training and they understandably, didn't think the name 'Youth 2 Youth' really applied to them! You spoke, we listened. We needed a name that reflected the enterprising training and services we provided, but for people of all ages.
So we got to thinking, what makes our training hit the mark with so many people? It's our delivery. We're straight talkers, we speak from experience not from textbooks, we're genuine. We're frank.
We're also a team - it's no longer just Jessica and Karen in our business. We've added full time staff (Anna, Franzi and Sarah) and over 25 facilitators in states around Australia. We're The Frank Team. We filed the papers with ASIC!
In June 2007, Karen left to pursue other opportunities and passions. And now Jessica remains Founder and Director - pushing The FRANK Team towards its goals!
So to recap
Since 2001, The FRANK Team has organically grown into a nationwide training organisation with a team of enterprising facilitators and office staff, all with business ownership experience and an awesome ability to connect with young people.
As a social enterprise and pioneer in what is now coined 'enterprise education', The FRANK Team has worked with thousands of people in every state of Australia. We're continually praised for our ability to engage, support and train people interested in the difference they can make in their lives, businesses and community.
From our initial beginnings, The FRANK Team are now leading industry experts in designing and implementing fun, authentic and engaging programs and resources for people.
From one person's vision for 'educating others with endless enthusiasm', The FRANK Team owes its success to entrepreneurial drive, social values, hard work, and a commitment and passion for people living life fully self-expressed and on purpose.