Over the last two years I have been very fortunate to engage with some of the most amazing people who are on an adventure, to boldly go into business…. taking their first entrepreneurial steps… starting their personal business brand.
These mostly young people are the future and their local community welcomes them which is very satisfying in this time of virtual worlds, social networking and globalisation. They are generate interest wherever they go.
The first thing I must emphasise is the diversity of ideas, the amazing breath of business diversity which people have. I know its obvious but it not every day you can sit with a forest management company, a tailor and a technology business. So I thought I would share just a few:
Forest Direct, a family run businesses that manage forests, developing relationships with real people, their land, the trees that live on them. Each part of this tri-relationship takes many years to foster as traditions and the cycle of the seasons is well established. New methods and technology provides opportunities, which has helped, www.Forestdirect.webs.com
Crowd source learning from dabbler, that aims to break down the barriers between those who have knowledge and those that need it, ensuring we can learn from the most inspirational person. The internet ensures a level playing field: education and our personal development in one site. www.dabblerr.com
Squid London, a dynamic and technology advanced design company which distributes via the world’s museums. Emma-Jayne Parkes and Viviane Jaeger the two co-founders are true inspiration in the development of a fashion label. www.squidlondon.com
SaferMinicabs which is in the early stages of launch has looked at the problems of safely booking a mini cab and how this entire process can be safer using modern mobile phones, GPS and the internet. www.saferminicabs.com
Suits that fits has developed an amazing innovative business model which ensure more people get a share and creates social good through tailoring. The innovation within their business model, processes and quality is truly amazing. www.asuitthatfits.com
Graduate Junction started out around two years ago serving the post graduate community and quick built a very loyal and active following. This year they launched Linkhigher, www.linkhigher.com which is meeting the demands of both the post-graduate and the employer, who want highly knowledgeable people, as shore winner.
I have also worked with many universities and see great sparks of enlighten entrepreneurship. These come from staff, students, student societies and the local community. Again I wanted to share some great examples:
Some of the course work done in universities is amazing and one of the best examples is from Brunel University, who create “250 Innovative Ideas: made in Brunel” each year. This beautiful book, which provides a snapshot of the work done in the student’s final year projects of engineering, design and multimedia students. This demonstrates the true ability of our graduates and how Britain still leads the world in good design. http://madeinbrunel.com
My First Million which was developed at Hertford University is one of my favourite learning tools for young people. The student watches video from the Dragon’s Den and other TV shows, once they have seen this, they decide if they want to invest. Then they see if the Dragon’s did and if a computer sim would. This creates a great learning experience and also starts to make us all aware of the learning potential of TV. http://www.myfirstmillion.tv
Some projects at Universities are about the community and the understanding we all have. The University of Plymouth created a book called “We Love Looe” which is a great children’s book which engaged and informed about the local surroundings. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Looe-You-Will-Too/dp/1841022500
I have also looked for a less complex model of what makes an Entrepreneur, something which can be easily presented, understood and allow the student to start on their journey. This was found at the University of Huddersfield, developed by, John Thompson and Bill Bolton. The Focus, Advantage, Creativity, Ego, Team and Social aspects of the entrepreneur or the FACETS model. http://www.efacets.co.uk
I would like to thank you all for the inspiration and encourage you to keep the flame truly ignited in your entrepreneurial brand. In developing my next venture, I will take these learning’s with me.
