Creative enterprise
Turn ideas into products, concepts and mini businesses.

Creative enterprise experience · Girls aged 13–18
Create. Connect. Explore what's possible.
SATURDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2026 · 11:30–2:30 PM
CREATIVE ENTERPRISE ZONE, LOWER MALL, CENTRALE SHOPPING CENTRE, CROYDON
ONLY 30 SPACES AVAILABLE
Creative youth enterprise · London
We help young people turn creativity into confidence, skills, enterprise experience and real opportunities.
Pop Up Top Up is a creative youth enterprise CIC helping young people take their ideas beyond the classroom and into the real world — through retail, creative projects, workshops, events and enterprise.
ARE YOU A YOUNG CREATIVE AGED 13–18? SIGN UP FREE AND JOIN US TODAY.

Her Next Move
Creative careers event for girls aged 13–18.
Why Pop Up Top Up?
What young people call "just a hobby" — making charms, styling, drawing, filming, designing — is often a real skill. We build the bridge between those passions and genuine careers, income and business.
We believe creativity is a serious life skill.
Designing, making, selling, creating content, organising an event, talking to customers, developing a product — those abilities can become confidence, experience and opportunity.
Our programmes give young people the chance to learn by doing — not just by listening.

“I want to express my creative side, earn money, plus it's really entertaining”
Alexis, 14
Our story
Pop Up Top Up grew from a real-world problem. Our founder ran a creative retail business — and a kiosk in Croydon where customers could discover, personalise and buy creative products.
Young people were drawn to creativity, retail, products and enterprise — yet there wasn't an easy way for them to get meaningful, hands-on exposure to what those skills could become.
“What if young people could step into a real retail environment and actually learn by doing?”
— Khalifa Jones, Founder

Meet the founder
Founder / Director
Khalifa founded Pop Up Top Up from her experience of building a creative retail business, working directly with customers and seeing first-hand how much young people could learn when they were given real opportunities to participate.
Pop Up Top Up was created to give young people more than advice — creating spaces where they can experience creativity, enterprise and opportunity for themselves.
Step 1
Running a creative business and learning what customers love.
Step 2
A Croydon kiosk where people discovered and personalised products.
Step 3
Young people with talent but no route into real retail experience.
Step 4
What if they could step into a real retail space and learn by doing?
Step 5
And from that, Pop Up Top Up CIC was born.
Our purpose
designer
The one who can design but doesn't call themselves a designer.
entrepreneur
The one who can sell but doesn't think of themselves as an entrepreneur.
leader
The one who organises everyone but doesn't realise that's leadership.
Pop Up Top Up exists to help them recognise that potential — through accessible, practical and creative opportunities that build confidence, enterprise skills, work experience and a stronger sense of what they're capable of.
What we do
Turn ideas into products, concepts and mini businesses.
What actually happens behind a shop, kiosk, market or pop-up.
Hands-on sessions in creativity, confidence and enterprise.
Experience real event and retail environments.
Tap to peekMeet entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals.
Content creation, social media, marketing and storytelling.
Communication, teamwork, decision-making and self-belief.
Learn through doing, not sitting in a classroom.
Why it matters
The challenges young people face, what we do about them, and the outcomes we're working towards.
Challenge
Few ways to earn, and little idea how talents could make money.
Outcome
Young people earning, budgeting and seeing real routes to income.
Challenge
Too much time alone, few safe spaces to meet and belong.
Outcome
Friendships, teamwork and a community that has their back.
Challenge
Unsure of their worth or what they're capable of.
Outcome
Speaking up, pitching ideas and owning what they've made.
Challenge
Hobbies are dismissed, and career doors feel closed.
Outcome
Experience, references and contacts that lead to work, study and business.
The difference
“Today we're learning about customer service.”
Instead, they might actually: Welcome a customer.
“Today we're learning about entrepreneurship.”
Instead, they might actually: Develop an idea and sell a product.
“Today we're learning about teamwork.”
Instead, they might actually: Help run an event.
“Today we're learning about marketing.”
Instead, they might actually: Create content for a real audience.
For young people
Maybe you draw. Maybe you make things.
Maybe you're always coming up with ideas.
Maybe you love fashion, beauty, music, design, social media, products, events or business.
Maybe school doesn't always give you a place to use those strengths.
That's exactly why we're here.
I make things
Design & product
Fashion, games, crafts, branding
I have ideas
Start-ups & enterprise
Spot a need, build a plan, launch it
I talk to people
Sales & customer service
Retail, hospitality, events
I create content
Social media & marketing
Filming, editing, growing an audience
I organise
Events & project management
Plan it, run it, get it done
I can sell
Business & retail
Pricing, pitching, making money
Impact
70+
Young people reached
40+
Creative sessions delivered
8+
Business / community partners
60+
Events & pop-ups
Real experiences. Real confidence. Real opportunities.
FUNDERS & PARTNERS
We've worked with, been supported by, or received funding through organisations including…
London Violence Reduction Unit
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
New Era Croydon
The National Lottery Community Fund
Black East LondonSpotlight

Spotlight · WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT DEC, 2025
“THEY WEREN'T JUST THERE. THEY WERE PRESENT.”
Black Eats LDN welcomed a young person into their organisation through a work experience placement. Instead of watching from the sidelines, they were genuinely included — given the chance to see, participate in and contribute to the process.
“The shift in lens is remarkable: from being the client to now “selling” the event, Black Eats London shows how behind the scenes is truly a unique experience. From the planning and strategy all the way to its vendors, each step is meticulous and a true beauty to witness.”

Schools · Businesses · Partners
We work with schools, community organisations, businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations that want to create meaningful opportunities for young people.
Future vision
We want more young people to test their ideas, develop their creativity and experience the world of work — without leaving who they are at the door.
Our vision: more creative retail experiences, enterprise opportunities, workshops, partnerships and platforms where young people can build something, contribute something and discover what they're capable of.
Whether you're a young person, parent, school, business, community organisation, funder or potential partner, we'd love to hear from you.