Two young graduate brothers are defying government cuts, a lack of capital funding and the recession with the maxim ‘if you can’t find a job – make one’.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight -- (SBWire) -- 08/30/2010 -- Based on the Isle of Wight – which boasts the highest rate of youth unemployment for 18-25 year olds in the country – out of work Mart and Rob Drake-Knight took their remaining £200 savings and created eco fashion brand Rapanui at the height of the recession, with aim of ‘doing business the right way’. Two years later Rapanui has won a host of awards, worked with multinationals and the brothers are regularly invited to talk at universities, charities and sustainability seminars.

The Drake-Knight Brothers are an example of the wave of inspirational entrepreneurs who are making the most of unemployment lag created by the recession. What makes them stand out from the crowd is that they not just trying to create a job – but change an industry.

Rapanui makes eco clothing from natural fabrics that are fairly made and powered by wind energy – customers can find out exactly how and where their clothing is made using interactive maps on RapanuiClothing.com – a first in the fashion industry. The company is growing rapidly and has moved from parent garden shed operation to an office of 12 full time staff in two short years. The brothers attribute their success to innovative capital management and hard work.

“We started our business with virtually nothing, and we had no help with any funding for the business – the bank wouldn’t lend us money and we missed out on any regional development capital as we had been trading for too long. This meant we had to be very selective about what we invested in, like a lot of small business our growth had to be organic and we either found ways of getting high value favours for nothing or working hard to learn how to do things ourselves.” Said Mart Drake-Knight

Rob Drake-Knight says that the grant funding culture needs to change: “This highlights a real issue in start up funding – too many projects are given the green light for funding based on an idea or an imaginary cash flow forecast - we all know the statistic about 95% of businesses failing with the first three years, funding is available to help start ups but what about funding for growth – surely a better investment?”

“Regional funding is set to be cut by the government in some areas – this isn’t the worst news for people like us – it might provoke some thought into the infrastructure and categorisation of regional development funding – The Isle of Wight is grouped in with SEEDA – but the economy is more akin to Wales or Cornwall so why aren’t minor counties like the Isle of Wight treated on a case basis?

The funding argument continues to roll on but the The Drake-Knight brothers are an example of true enterprise – recognising a market, and having the drive to achieve no matter what the obstacles.

Mart said “we hope that our story will show other young people out there that you can be a success whether you wear a suit or flip flops.”

For more information on Rapanui visit http://www.rapanuiclothing.com/eco

Notes to Editor
Photos attached – Martin and Rob – co-founders of Rapanui Clothing Ltd
For further information please contact Rob Drake-Knight, on 01983 873430 or email rob@rapanuiclothing.com. Or for specific information on sustainability Martin Drake-Knight on 01983 873430 or email mdk@rapanuiclothing.com

About Rapanui
Rapanui is about making cool eco-fashion for young people; that means clothing that is eco-friendly, ethical and sustainable: Made from natural organic fabrics in a Fairwear Foundation audited, wind powered factory. Through surfing the brothers saw and experienced the changing environment and climate at their local beach and as inspired, unemployed graduates in a recession, they took a different path; if you can't find a job, make one.

Rapanui has held Seminars and Lectures at UK and EU universities and multinational companies such as Centrica PLC on Sustainable Business and sit on the Panel at Plymouth University's All our Future Conference.

Rapanui has made bespoke versions of its clothing for multinationals and charities including Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and the Marine Conservation Society, and have now spawned a sister site with the intention on creating bespoke items to help other businesses go green, at http://www.rapanuiclothing.com/wholesale-organic-clothing.html

Rapanui was set up by brothers Mart and Rob Drake-Knight in early 2008 with £200 of savings and was listed in the Top 100 Startups of 2008. Rob and Martin are listed on the Future 100 List of Top young Entrepreneurs and were recently finalists in Enterprise UK's Young Brits awards. Rapanui was the youngest company to win the Sustainable Business Awards in May 2010 and has recently been nominated for the internationally-recognised ISPO Brand New Award.