“You really are wasting your time, if you're living someone else's dream”
The path of a University graduate has traditionally been quite straight forward. We spend 3/4 years studying, enter the job market and spend the rest of our lives working our way up the hierarchal ladder.
With time and economic changes, this tradition is slowly being eroded. Graduates have to think long and hard about their career aspirations and how they can get ahead and stand out from the crowd.
Now more than ever students/graduates are looking towards entrepreneurship as a means to express their creativity, drive and sheer determination to create positive change. Being involved within this community, it’s evident that for these young entrepreneurs to prosper they need access to people who can support and collaborate with them.
Hosting our second ‘StartUp Stories’ event at the wonderful 02workshop, we were astonished by the increasing number of students/graduates that are defining their own career paths. From internet start-ups to fashion labels, these young entrepreneurs are doing something they really love.
Having spoken to some of the young entrepreneurs, this seems quite evident.
James Pursey "I started Sorted because I wanted to be part of something new, exciting and disruptive, whilst being at the head of strategic decisions"
Adviya Khan –"I want to be in control of my working life, make a difference and leave a mark in the world" - Hijablicious
Sean Obedih – “I’ve always wanted to know that my contribution in business is valued and change how the world works, through innovation" - The Founders Hive
Lauren Hine – “I want to startup so I can build, mould and create my own life and dreams, rather than spend my life developing someone else's”
Supporting these young entrepreneurs were 4 respectable entrepreneurs (James Eder, Wempy Dyocta Koto, John Haworth and Nitzan Yudan) who formed the speakers panel, sharing their startup stories, inspiring and captivating everyone with moments that most stood out in their entrepreneurial journey.
During the Q&A time, the speakers panel shared some great advice. Here’s a few lines of advice that really stood out.
Wempy Dyocta Koto (Wardour and Oxford) – “You really are wasting your time, if you’re living someone else's dream”. Being a student/graduate you really have nothing to lose, if you wish to pursue an idea your passionate about and believe in, don’t hold back just because someone else might not be happy with your decision.
Nitzan Yudan (Flat-Club) “It's all about the marketing”. Whether it be marketing yourself, or marketing your product, be out there and get noticed. Nitzan told me how "the flat-club popup banner is his best friend" and it definitely got Flat-Club noticed at the event.
James Eder (The Beans Group) “When receiving a telesales call, say no 3 times to avoid being pestered” … Just joking, but this did make us laugh. James said “You learn most from your mistakes, it’s all about learning by doing”.
John Haworth (Hireducated) “Be prepared to work hard!”
We learnt some great lessons from event and the experience of the speakers panel shone through, highlighting lessons that all budding entrepreneurs should take note off.
The next step in the Gradpreneur journey is launching our online magazine and if it receives the same amount of support as our events, its sure to be a success.
Huge thank you to the speakers again.
You can check out the photos from the event on our facebook page www.facebook.com/gradpreneur
Be sure to sign up to the network to stay in touch and up-to-date with our work. www.gradpreneur.net
Meet Up -http://www.meetup.com/Student-Graduate-Entrepreneur-Meetup-Group/
Linked In - http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4174205&trk=hb_side_g
Twitter - @Gradpreneur @RaspinderSingh
