Blink Collective is a revolutionary new platform that allows individuals with talents and skills to earn money through offering their services to people who are looking to get more out of life
(prHWY.com) July 6, 2012 - Newcastle, United Kingdom -- Blink Collective is a revolutionary new platform that allows individuals with talents and skills to earn money through offering their services to people who are looking to get more out of life, whilst simultaneously developing their own people and teaching skills. Specialising in the food and drink sector, Blink Collective boasts over 600 listings spanning the whole of the UK, making it the most comprehensive collection of bookable online gastronomic activities and courses. With the option to search by location (via interactive map software), or by the clear Make, Learn, See and Do categories, those with a thirst for knowledge and experience can choose from a range of options - from the more traditional courses to the unusual and quirky for the adventurous. With the current recession forcing people to become more creative and resourceful Blink Collective, which encompasses the belief that everyone has a talent, has produced a concept that has been dubbed 'the eBay of life experience' at the perfect time - using the advantages of peer-to-peer teaching to personify the phrase earn and learn.
The Blink Collective website is the brainchild of entrepreneur Peter Kindness who notes on the emergence of an 'experience economy' and suggests that, "The public is waking up to see that learning new skills and trying activities that are a little different to what they are used to is more gratifying and life-enriching than chasing material possessions. New experiences and spontaneity are fun, memorable, character building and, above all, good for the soul".
Blink not only allows people to add a little creativity to their life but the encouragement of peer-to-peer teaching builds confidence and self-esteem; scientific research suggests that this sort of interaction is likely to be more effective than using professional, experienced tutors. "The endearment factor plays a huge role in the ethos of Blink Collective; the personal touch of it is everything that it is based on", comments Kindness.
Research also suggests that those who embrace new life experiences are more likely to retain positive emotions and minimise negative ones much more than those who prefer to settle for a rigid, daily routine, showing that learning new skills not only adds them to our list of talents but also develops mental health. From chocolate tours and butchery classes to bushcraft classes in the South England woods, Blink quickly finds the perfect experience for adventurous consumers.
And yet the website is not just an experience marketplace: listings are designed to be authentic, often artisanal, alternatives to generic experience packages. Blink is primarily dedicated to facilitating user-generated content from individuals, rather than established businesses or big corporate machines. To maintain the quality of listings as well as the integrity of the community, Blink has a dedicated team who will approve each experience before being uploaded to the site; the specialised and unique nature of the courses and classes on offer lends Blink Collective to consumers seeking an endearing, personal experience that they could not have otherwise got.
Blink is more than just a place to buy and sell experiences. It focuses strongly on building a community of like-minded people. "When people experience new things and learn new skills, they grow as a person. We think Blink can be a great place for people to find and share those experiences; a marketplace with real value", explains Kindness.
The platform comes at a time when many are looking for an alternative way to make ends meet - the ease with which you can bring your own skills to the public stands Blink in good stead with regards to the recession and is set to change the way we learn about food, making it a personal hands-on experience with benefits for all involved.
Find Blink Collective at
http://blinkcollective.com/
For more information or high-res images please contact Sasha Lukina at Truffle PR: sasha@trufflepr.com, 02071930808
Editor's Notes:
Later this year, Blink will expand its range of experiences to include other activities and adventures.
Blink Collective has offices based in Newcastle Up-On Tyne and London
We're a bright, young company, based in Newcast Upon Tyne and London. We've recently 'graduated' from the ignite100 startup accelerator, gaining an initial first round funding of £100,000. We're a passionate team of three, but also employ a developer, designer and social media intern, all part-time.
Peter Kindness is our passionate CEO, with past experience of startups; he created community roomshare project 'My Friends Hotel'
Michael Raven deals with all angles of Business Development; he's a recent graduate with a passion for internet culture, marketing and all aspects of collaborative consumption.
Patrick Collins is acting Community Officer/Salesman; he was formerly a professional footballer turned property manager for his own company: Patrick Properties.
We've all a story to tell; we offer our own experiences and are all passionate about learning new things. This reflects well on our creative concept. For more info, please get in touch!
Blink Collective
Suite 20
Adamson House
65 Westgate Rd
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 1SG
Contact:
Peter Kindness: CEO - pete@blinkcollective.com
Michael Raven: Business Development - michael@blinkcollective.com
Sasha Lukina: PR - sasha@trufflepr.com
http://blinkcollective.com/
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