Biztank Issue One

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The Original Student Bikes.

From ÂŁ225

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mangobikes.com/students

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From the Editors Page 6-7

What does an Entrepreneur look like?

Page 8-9

Duke + Dexter Page 12-16

Q&A with Tom Hatton Page 18-21

Food Stylist: Kitty Coles Page 30-32

The Prince’s Trust Page 35-38

Butta Wax Page 40-45

Graduate Spotlight Page 48-53

Networking top tips Page 54-55

Crowdfunding: All Gina Soden’s you need to know Ruinporn Page 22-23

Page 56-61

Ogre Melodies

Director: Glen Kirby

Page 24-27

Tips from the startup coach Page 28 4

Page 62-65

Gina Soden’s Ruinporn Page 56-61

The Photographer breaking boundaries with her passion for the derelict.

Duke + Dexter

Food Stylist: Kitty Coles

Page 12-16

We take a look at the story of a man who has worked tirelessly to produce an ever expanding lifestyle brand...

Ogre Melodies Page 24-27

The story of a a footstomping, four-piece folk rock’n’roll band born in Yorkshire, raised in London.

Page 30-32

Biztank met Kitty at one of her latest shoots to learn more about her career as a food stylist to date.

Q&A with Tom Hatton Page 18-21

RefME founder Tom Hatton tells us the story of his whirl wind success.

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Editors’ letter Welcome to the very first issue of Biztank Magazine, and what a journey it’s been.

We are still struggling to fathom how we have come so far in such a short period of time. Somehow, a conversation over a beer down the local has led us to turning our backs on secure, well-paying jobs and starting out on our own. That said it’s even harder to believe the reception we have had for our little publication, from universities to CEOs of highly successful businesses we have been truly blown away by the support and encouragement that we have received.

At the heart of this publication we aim to inspire. Having left university for graduate jobs we couldn't help but feel just a little short changed; the job, car, social life (...sort of), but there was just something missing from the equation, something you don't often hear about at university. We caught a glimmer talking to Glen, a self-established director and film maker, who seemed to have a sense of complete self-satisfaction and drive in everything he was doing. It’s funny, for a guy who had no guaranteed income, he seemed calm, content yet brimming with enthusiasm.

We then found ourselves talking to Archie, Kitty, Dan & Jim and suddenly it sunk in. There truly is something totally fulfilling in creating your own business and carving out your own path through life. It seems the more you surround yourself with these people, the more infectious it becomes.

As you read through the magazine we hope that you will take something from the incredibly inspiring stories of our young entrepreneurs. We can tell you first hand that meeting these people has helped fuel the passion we have for Biztank, urging us to reach out to more and more young people who are going against the grain and taking the road less travelled. That said we also want to celebrate those of you who have taken those steps into a career path you are passionate about. Whilst people often restrict entrepreneurship to startup culture, we believe that you can apply the term unilaterally to any role within business. Use the information you gain from our graduate spotlights to help make the right decision and the inspiration from our entrepreneurs to help you challenge preconceptions of what can be achieved.

As a generation we quite literally have the world at our fingertips. With access to knowledge and information at the palm of our hands, the world is becoming far less about what you know, but what you choose to do with that knowledge. We are hoping that this publication will start to fuel the fire in each of you, we are a generation unlike any before us. Now more than ever we have the opportunity to pursue a passion and make it a reality. Now more than ever, we should become a generation inspired.

Warm Regards, Josh & Martin Co-Founders & Editors

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WHAT DOES AN ENTREPRENEUR LOOK LIKE? ‘An entrepreneur is a person who organises and manages an enterprise / business, usually with considerable initiative and risk’. That is how the dictionary defines an entrepreneur. In reality that doesn’t even come close. In the ever changing landscape of today’s business world where ideas are ten a penny, it takes a whole lot more than a ‘light-bulb’ moment to create a successful company. Aside from having vision; a successful entrepreneur has to have certain key skills and attributes. Let’s face it, not everyone is cut out to run their own business, and is that such a bad thing?

So, what are the main attributes of an entrepreneur? Well the truth is there is no recipe or rulebook that you need to follow. An entrepreneur is often someone with an idea for a product or service, someone willing to take risks to make things happen. Granted, there is a marked difference between calculated risks and brash decision making, but they’re risks all the same. Ultimately successful entrepreneurs are individuals, driven to succeed, and prepared for the hard work that comes with it.

In the past some have attributed entrepreneurship to business ownership. Perhaps it is more accurate to define it as any activity that contributes to business innovation and growth, not limited simply to start-ups, but also to the development and growth of an already existing organisation.

One of the best definitions of an entrepreneur we have come across here at Biztank, is by Chris Oakley OBE, chairman of web design company Chapter Eight.

“An entrepreneur sees an opportunity which others do not fully recognise, to meet an unsatisfied demand or to radically improve the performance of an existing business. They have unquenchable self-belief that this opportunity can be made real

through hard work, commitment and the adaptability to learn the lessons of the market along the way.”

“They are not diverted or discouraged by skepticism from ‘experts’ or from those from whom they seek backing and support, but willing to weigh up all advice and select that which will be helpful. They are prepared not just to work seriously hard, but to back their judgment with personal investment.

They understand that achievements are the result of team work and they know how to choose the necessary blend of talent to inspire them with their vision.”

Oakley doesn’t limit the term being an entrepreneur to starting or running your own company, but in fact uses the term far more laterally. The word itself stems from the French ‘Entreprendre’ meaning to undertake a task. With that in mind perhaps a clear vision, a strong work ethic, and the drive to see things through to the end aren’t attributes limited to business owners but to anyone willing to seize the opportunities from which others shy away. In that case, could anybody be an entrepreneur? And is that such a bad thing...?

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Archie Hewlett’s beautifully designed footwear has taken the world by storm, with A-list celebrities from the fashion icon Poppy Delevingne, to the Oscar winning Eddie Redmayne sporting the stylish footwear. We take a look at the story of a young man who has worked tirelessly to produce an ever expanding fashion brand...

Bloomsbury, London, home to great writers, scientists and philosophers over the centuries, and I can’t help feeling inspired somehow. As I walk through the crisp white garden squares and the busy streets that define the theatre capital of the city, I try to picture the young man I have come to meet. A man who at 18 years old opted not for the relative safety of university life, but for the challenges, the risk taking, and the dogged hard work needed to compete in London’s ever expanding fashion industry. Now 21, Archie Hewlett, founder and MD of Duke & Dexter a British born footwear label, and an exciting name on the block talks to us about his story so far.

It is a young, relaxed and casually dressed man who greets me at the door of the Duke & Dexter London office. After a brief introduction to his team we sit down to learn more about what Archie has achieved, his inspiration and what fuels his drive for success...

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“IT ALL STARTED UNINTENTIONALLY...”

In all honesty I don’t really know. I knew I didn’t want to go to university like so many of my friends, I just knew I wanted to get into work. It wasn’t that I had this great idea, or sat around trying to come up with an idea to start my own company. So I just got a job in recruitment and absolutely loved the first 2 months, but realised very quickly that it really wasn’t for me.

I started lying to friends I was pretty much the only person I knew who hadn’t gone to university, and there was no way I was going to tell them I had made the wrong choice and had quit my job already. It just seemed easier that way.

I just decided to make a pair of shoes.

For a while I was looking for a smart pair of shoes, but they all looked so similar, the same uncomfortable designs. Well, let’s face it, I had plenty of time on my hands so I designed a pair of loafers myself and had them made up. People started noticing them, friends at first; which was pretty bizarre. I mean it’s not normally guys who notice fashion, not my friends anyway. So I had a couple of extra pairs made up and gave them to mates at cost, and it just grew from there really. It wasn’t like I planned it, but after a while I thought maybe I could make some money on the side - which is pretty funny, on the side of what?.

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The thing about a lie is that once you start, the harder it is to stop, it was time to unravel the thing and come clean. By

the time I did tell everyone what I was up to, I had done so much planning, research, re-designing and re-training myself in the skills I would need, that I almost knew it was going to work. If I was going to tell anyone I wanted to be certain I was going to make a success of it.

running your own company.Working in recruitment I always felt young, always feeling like I was in an industry where age mattered so much. I made the decision to go it alone, and it’s paying off. It’s my business and I understand it. It doesn’t feel like it did back then.

It would have beeen great story, I mean if I really did have dogs called Duke & Dexter, but sadly the name was more a credibility statement to gain entry to the UK and US markets. It’s part of the brand statement and says something about us, I think it works pretty well actually.

The other thing I like is that it’s my time.

What I mean is, no one is on my back if I don’t show up. The flip side of that is that you’re always ahead of time because it’s your own business, and that’s the difference. It’s mine to manage, and mine to steer, mine to mess up.

Poppy Delevingne was our first celebrity to notice the brand. I remember a Sunday morning back in 2014. It was pretty early and I was still in bed. Poppy had bought a pair of our shoes and commented on them.

Well, guess what, Instagram went crazy and my phone went into meltdown. It’s not like we intentionally went out to get celebrity endorsement, I mean it’s amazing to get that sort of publicity. Now we have Ryan Reynolds, Eddie Redmayne, Tyson Beckford, Tinie Tempah to name a few and I feel blessed that they love what we do. We’ve always been style driven and I think that’s what attracts anyone to our brand. Sure the price point has to be right for anyone in the public eye to choose to wear new fashion, but for us it always comes back to the style.

The worst part is the bullying. When it’s your own company you never really let go.

I’m constantly bullying myself, I’m never truly satisfied. When things aren’t going well you feel the pressure: money, overheads, staff, etc. When things are going well there’s the added pressure of falling behind, order fulfillment, additional staff, managing the brand, expansion, it’s just non-stop.

Now it’s different, it’s my turn. Being taken seriously is one of the best parts of

Borrowing money from my parents didn’t feel great, but I will always be grateful that they were there to back me up. It’s important to have friends and family to lean on, even if you don’t have to. I saved a lot by re-training myself in accounting, marketing and website stuff but there are times you need hard cash to start out. I borrowed £6k from my parents at the beginning, I’m proud to say I paid them back, and I haven’t had to borrow money since.

“NOW IT’S DIFFERENT, IT’S MY TURN. I MADE THE DECISION TO WORK HARD AND IT’S PAYING OFF” Archie Hewlitt

@dukedexter @dukedexter dukeanddexter.com 15

“THE MORE PEOPLE I TALKED TO, THE MORE INSPIRED I FELT. I CAN’T OVER EMPHASIZE THAT ENOUGH.”

The kitchen door swings open, Archie’s staff begin to break for lunch.

The atmosphere is relaxed and Archie pauses to introduce his young team as they make their way to the fridge.

I couldn’t help thinking what an open, relaxed place this was to work, and how the absence of formality, on the surface at least, made such a refreshing change from the norm.

In the beginning it was tough seeing all my friends going to university while I was working in recruitment. Once I started Duke & Dexter and really started getting my teeth into it. I knew it was what I wanted to do and the ‘FOMO’ became less of an issue. Now I’ve opened up and my friends understand what I had to do, now I am able to manage the work life balance and I do get to see them... occasionally.

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“Don’t worry that it’s already been done.” That’s one thing that I have learnt.

Not to be too concerned if there is someone else out there doing the same thing, or who is better than you. The truth is, there always will be. It’s pretty unlikely that you have a one-off unique idea, but that’s okay,

you don’t have to. For me it comes back to working hard at whatever you decide to do.

It doesn’t matter if you fail, just do it anyway. Don’t worry about your friends and what they’re doing, they have their own journey and if they’re real friends, your differences won’t matter anyway.

My inspiration came from talking. The more people I talked to, the more inspired I felt. I can’t over emphasize that enough. It’s so important to network and talk to anyone who will listen. For the most part people are incredibly generous with their time, so it’s a great way to get help, advice and even just having someone to run ideas by.

Just decide if you want to put the effort in. Education is shaping entrepreneurs and there are so many more people starting their own businesses. The first thing I would suggest to anyone thinking of doing something themselves is ask yourself whether you are prepared to put the work in. If the idea is a good one and the passion is there, with hard work you’ve got a chance but without it you have no hope.

For us the future is in global outreach.

We’re working on re-branding right now, we want people to be able to buy Duke & Dexter locally wherever they are. Right now we have monthly orders from over 100 countries around the world. There’s always someone from the office flying out to explore new partnership opportunities and wholesale accounts in different countries.

That’s where our focus is at the moment.

We are fortunate to be working alongside the likes of Liberty’s, Fenwick’s, Selfridges and Harrods this year and we can see a real appetite for the brand. We are opening our first UK store in Covent Garden next year with an open coffee bar where we can sit and talk directly with our customers. What’s really important to me is customer care and we take that very seriously. We want customers to come in and talk to us. What they get out of it is good quality, free coffee. What we get is the opportunity to talk directly with our target audience, and you can’t put a price on that.

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“IF YOU’VE GOT AN IDEA TEST THE WATERS AND GO FOR IT. DON’T BE AFRAID TO SCREW UP A BIT.” Tom Hatton

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Ref Me CEO TOM HATTON After a seed round that gained more than $5million last year, and Apple featuring it as one of the “Top 25 apps” in the world, Biztank sat down with RefME founder Tom Hatton to hear the story of his whirlwind success.

So it’s been almost two years since you launched RefME, tell us about your journey so far?

I founded RefME whilst at Oxford Brookes in 2014. Like most other people I really struggled with citations and I couldn’t believe how poor referencing programs were. I did a lot of research into the then current citation management, tools that universities use for research and pay a lot for. I found that for some reason there was no single undergraduate tool to serve the general student population.

Two years on and we’ve reached some pretty big milestones. We grew quicker than twitter did in their first year, we made it to a million users and last year Apple featured us as one of the ‘Top 25 Apps’ in the world. Our web platform has also developed hugely and is now what we are best known for. In terms of fundraising, our first seed round in 2015 achieved $5million, which for an education technology company in Europe is pretty unheard of.

What was your background before RefME? Were there other start-ups, failures or successes?

Before RefME, I started a small digital agency consulting for some enterprising mobile companies. It actually gave me really valuable experience in running a company for when I started RefME. We did the first ever drone delivery for Domino’s Pizza which was pretty cool.

Tell us about a typical day being CEO of RefME?

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For companies like RefME, it’s all about being in the right place at the right time. Most days are tough, and some more draining than others, but you need to take the good from each day to motivate you going forward. One day I might have an important phone call with a big partner that goes really well and it puts everything into perspective, the stars align and reminds you that everything is going to be ok.

Everyone talks about that ‘eureka’ moment, but we want to know about that ‘all in’ moment, when did you take the leap?

Actually it happened at my grandparents’ house, I was talking to my Dad about RefME and he just turned around and said ‘oh yeh, the data must be really valuable’. It took me totally by surprise as my Dad doesn’t know what data is, which made it really weird, but we started talking more about it and realised that there were real opportunities in it.That was a really definitive moment for me, when I knew I had to drop everything and do this.

You’ve previously talked about starting your own business as being ‘one big rollercoaster’, tell us about the lows, the worst bits. And what helped you get through them?

We’ve had the bailiffs in before, I’ve had my emails hacked, I’ve fallen out with friends over this. In the early days it can be very very tough.

Over time you start to see it come together as a result of the tough times and it is rewarding.

The key to getting over bad bits is learning to not react too much to. At the start everything feels like the end of the world, and you want

to go crazy. My Co-founder and I refer to it like smashing a plate, it makes a loud noise but once it’s done you clear up the pieces and move on very quickly. You learn to absorb the negatives and take them in your stride.

And what about the positives? Whether it being RefME or starting any company?

It’s got to be employing a team of over 50 great people. What still surprises me is the range of people working here at RefME, from graduates to former employees of Google and NASA. But making a positive impact in education is a really rewarding feeling as well.

I love the fact we have so many people using our product, people now know of RefME as a great ‘Ed Tech’ product helping people across the world, that’s a nice legacy to leave behind.

I was at a New Year’s Eve party talking to some family friends about RefME and it turned out that their nephew was using RefME in Japan, and his whole University department were using it daily. Hearing that through word of mouth was pretty sweet.

You’re so successful when it comes to social media, how do keep such a high engagmenet with a subject like referencing?

People forget that the internet was invented using citations. The original idea was that links were clickable, and you could find information easily, and that’s what a citation is, it says here’s where I found this bit of information. But talking to students makes it easy, “Do you hate doing citations?”

-“Yes.”

“BEING A GREAT ‘ED TECH’ PRODUCT AND HELPING PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD, THAT’S A NICE LEGACY TO LEAVE BEHIND.”

-“Well here is something that makes it easier, use RefME.”

What’s on the horizon for RefME? And Tom Hatton?

You can package that any way you want but the message is so easy for a student, here is something I don’t like doing, and here is a platform that makes it easier for me.

We are launching a premium product later this year, Institutional products and some other cool stuff going live in the future. We are essentially spending the next 12 months driving great business ideas and planning expansion to the US with operational functionality.

But we plan to keep doing what we are doing, because it seems to be working.

What is interesting is that because we work with so many universities in the UK, we get the positive reinforcement coming from those universities saying that we know citations are a nightmare but use RefME.

“YOU NEED TO TAKE THE GOOD FROM EACH DAY TO MOTIVATE YOU GOING FORWARD”

What advice would you give any young entrepreneurs looking to develop an app whilst still in education?

Firstly, I’d say just go for it. If you’ve got an idea test the waters and go for it. Don’t be afraid to screw up a bit. I’ve been such a plonker with ideas, but you need to test them.

I’ve been sure some ideas are going to literally change the world, tell them to some mates, only for them say, “you’re an idiot!” Eventually you’ll have an idea that people stop and say “Actually that’s pretty smart... Do that!”

After that you have to be so laser guided focused, the thing that we’ve done is be really good at creating a citation. That’s it. We have 50 people being really good at doing just that.

I think that’s why we are growing as well as we are, because of our focus. It’s really easy when you’re an entrepreneur to have a million ideas.

But look at Apple, they do about four or five products very well, and if that takes them tens of thousands of employees a singleentrepreneur is only going to be able to do one thing really well.

@refme refme.com

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CROWDFUNDING ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

In this technological era, there are more and more options available for businesses looking to fund their growth. Although there are many ways to apply for funding offline, entrepreneurs are looking at different methods: crowdfunding being one of them.

In recent years crowdfunding has become more accessible to businesses and entrepreneurs looking for extra financial support, or looking to boost a good idea. Essentially it’s a way of funding a project or business by raising differing amounts of money from a large group of people – typically via the internet. People either invest because they believe in the cause (family/friends/charitable organisations) or because they have an interest in the business or the rewards offered as part of the scheme.

There are now several different platforms that do this – and The Growth Hub have documented some of the sites to review if you are considering going down this route, and the differences between them.

As crowdfunding becomes more prevalent and ever more competitive for those raising finance, it’s even more critical that your business proposition stands out from the rest and will stand up to the scrutiny of potential external investors.

Whilst this acts as a guide to some of the routes available, it is worth seeking advice before approaching any of these platforms; many applicants come unstuck by jumping in before thorough planning, and consequently their chances of securing funds are diminished.

Kickstarter:

Kickstarter is the online service used to bring creative projects to life.

Largely focussed around the arts sector, it does exactly what it says on the tin: and gives ideas or brands starting out a financial kick-start in order to make product development/manufacturing viable. This could be a brand new product, or a creative project like a documentary. Typically, you can set up rewards for people that invest certain amounts of money when the project reaches it’s target. For instance, if someone pledges £25 to a new clothing line, they may get a free t-shirt with their first order. Kickstarter is an official member of the benefit corporation, a society that ensures campaigns are for the positive benefit of society.

Similar platforms: Indiegogo,Crowdfunder.co.uk and Rocket

Crowdcube:

Crowdcube lists itself as the ‘world’s leading investment crowd-

funding platform.’ Unlike Kickstarter, Crowdcube is more business orientated and lists all of the campaigns as ‘Investment opportunities.’

This is the place that new brands come to secure funding for growth, or setting up shop, however it has enough variety that anyone can use it. Brands can document their full business plan and their profile pages act as a sales pitch to potential investors. There is a diverse range of businesses using the platform, from coffee shops to signage companies to businesses looking to work in industries full of brand new technological advances.

Similar platforms: SeedInvest, CircleUp and WeFunder

GrowthDeck:

GrowthDeck is a more recent entrant to the crowdfunding sector.

They market themselves as professionals and experts within the investment industry, saying: ‘GrowthDeck was created to offer investors more investment experience, transparency and a much higher level of customer service than has been observed to date in the UK crowdfunding industry.’ They have a panel of approved advisers and investors with ‘decades of combined experience in private equity’ from high profile companies like 3i and Mitsui. Typically, businesses looking for larger sums of money may want to use GrowthDeck. The site also comes with a ‘Risk Warning’ guide for investors and markets the benefits of crowdfunding directly to investors, instead of marketing to brands.

Delivered By:

www.berkshirebusinesshub.co.uk

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The Thames Valley Berkshire Business Growth Hub is funded by our Local Enterprise Partnership to help ambitious entrepreneurs to scale up and grow their business. The Growth Hub team helps both start-ups and more established companies, providing free support and advice and open workshops, as well as a High Growth Service for eligible businesses.

This tailor-made service for those with the potential to scale up significantly is delivered by experienced professionals who have started, grown and in many cases sold their own businesses.

Whether it’s planning for and opening doors to funding, or building an effective business model, we can help.

Since its launch in January 2014, the Growth Hub has helped hundreds of businesses in Berkshire to increase their profits, grow in size or access new markets or funding. When it comes to raising funds for growth, in almost all cases where you seek outside funding you will need a written business plan.

Advice on getting your thinking straight and putting a plan in place to make it happen is available from the Growth Hub. The team can advise you about your options for funding, put you in touch with sources of funding, and help your business to become ‘investor ready’.

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@OgreMelodies @ogremelodies

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OGRE MELODIES.

“If you constantly look too far ahead, you’ll miss the opportunities on your doorstep”

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Ogre Melodies are a foot-stomping, four-piece folk rock’n’roll band born in Yorkshire, raised in London.

From humble beginnings travelling and busking, they have now developed two parallel shows; a raucous acoustic act ideal for - smaller venues and pub lockins - and their new fast paced electric set built for larger venues and festivals. We sat down with Dom Kennedy for a chat, to hear more about their infectious positive attitude and journey so far…

The travelling band thing happened by accident. We realised with the little gear we use, there was no real reason to stay busking and playing shows in Leeds for the same lovely old ladies every Saturday. So we packed up and headed out onto the open road.

We’ve been asked to play at Alexandra Palace throughout the summer, we’ve explored it’s dungeons and got stuck in a lift with a mariachi band. Recording with the guys at Soup Studios was top notch, they are such legends who really got us straight away, got excited with us and taught us a lot about recording. Filming our music video for Gatekeeper was wild, we held a pub crawl in Shepherds Bush and ended up with half of Shepherds Bush following us back to our house, thats just been released so check it out!

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Sober crowds tip bigger. We never started out to be a band that did gigs or recordings or anything, but I suppose it was always bound to happen. Harrison lived in a now infamous house in Shepherds Bush which had an amazing open door party policy. I can’t stress how important living in that house together was, just being able to bash out songs throughout the days and nights. From there we thought why not try our hand at busking again in front of (mostly) sober people? We went out onto the streets and started getting paid to do it by the people who passed us by. We never really had such a positive reaction from our audiences until we formed Ogre Melodies, our music is rough and ready, and it just works. We let people know where we are on a given day through social media, find a good busking spot and just go for it. The coolest thing is seeing your audience materialise out of nothing, by the end of the first couple of songs we usually have 30+ people watching. I’m getting excited just thinking about it. Because the shows are really full on, we have breaks every hour or so and normally chat to the people who’ve watched us. You meet so many cool people and make so many friends from all over the world just by smiling and saying hello.

The possibilities for Ogre Melodies are endless. Some genius once said ‘you must never focus on your career, focus only on your work, and your career will sort itself out’. I believe this completely – that’s why we play with such passion at every opportunity, it doesn’t matter if no-body’s watching, we just focus on the moment and have a wild time.

Fate may be inexorable, but the present is ours to play with! If you’re constantly looking too far in advance you miss the opportunities on your doorstep. One example is when we first did a busking tour of England, we had no venues booked, we just stopped randomly to busk throughout the day. People would come and ask us to play for them that night in their pubs and clubs. We’ve met some great people that way, and even played their weddings (shout out to Lisa, German Queen of all Oxford, shout out to Sam, Blue-suited King of the Intricate). We’re massively excited for our first release coming up soon. It’s really a song about how we shouldn’t put out heroes on pedestals because they are just like you or me, if not worse. We all have the potential to be better.

We earned £600 in one day, which was pretty cool, but really it’s just another way to measure how well you play. We also remember

that specific day because of the people we met, Mark and Filipe we met from Brazil, Lucy who told me I was the Prince of Light, the raunchy old lady with dirty old moves, and Adam, the man who skated the Lombard in San Francisco. That was just one day on Portobello Road, we meet hundreds of different people each day for minutes at a time and then they’re gone. That is the most rewarding part of it all.

It sounds lame, but sometimes the coolest thing is getting a message from someone you met for five minutes one day from half way around the world. Because we started from pretty much nothing, I can’t tell you how cool it feels to have people from all around the world think what you’ve got going on is worth saying ‘Hey!’ about.

If that’s success then we’ve already made it!

Hear advice but don’t necessarily listen to it. That is probably the best advice I could give right now. Be loyal to each other. Be committed, be organised. Do the things you want to do now, not the things you think might do you good tomorrow. Remember that the bus is just around the corner and he’ll paint his wheels with your gore, quicker than you can say ‘but they’re usually delayed’.

‘Fate may be inexorable, but the present is ours to play with!’

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Dream it, plan it, do it, review it.

Planning is essential to bringing any ideas into realisation. However, after hours of meticulous planning it can be difficult to take advice. It’s key to listen to those you trust, never be afraid to go back to the beginning and fine tune your concept before rushing to market.

That being said, don’t lose sight of the original purpose of your project. Advice is advice, if you find yourself going against what you truly believe is the prupose of your product, do not let anyone stop you.

Carl Reader THE STARTUP COACH

Author of The Startup Coach and award winning accountant, Carl seeks to inspire people to start their own business and spread the word that business doesn’t have to be complicated.

As an accountant, Carl Reader was a square peg in a round hole. An infectious charisma and passion for all things business provided him with a unique skill set that gave him the edge over his colleagues in the accountancy industry.

After advising thousands of business owners over the years, The Startup Coach was the next natural progression, transferring his learnings to the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Keep it Simple!

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Don’t be a spreadsheet millionaire.

There are numerous examples of people doing all the planning on paper, but doing nothing proactive from there. Customers won’t just come to you. You have to pick up the phone, wear out the leather on your shoes and knock on some doors. Too many people get hung up on websites, letterheads and social media in the beginning without creating a human presence. All the admin and marketing won’t make a difference if you are not making human connections and networking.

Mind set of an entrepreneur Firstly, not everyone is cut out to start up a company. Mind set plays a huge part in determining success and a lot of people don’t have what it takes.

There is a preconception that you have to follow a certain path, through education, into a ‘safe’ job, to buy a house and have a family. That’s just not appropriate in today’s world; there are so many paths for each individual that are often left unexplored. The Startup coach attempts to get people to stray from this path and adopt the mind set of a true entrepreneur.

Business isn’t as complicated as people think.

Embrace failure

Real business isn’t necessarily what’s portrayed in the media. Real business is the person following a passion and making a living from that passion. The term entrepreneur is often over inflated to be seen as an exclusive, esoteric minority. When in reality it can be anyone.

My advice to anybody looking to start a company is, what is the worst that can happen, Failure? At a young age the risks are minimal. You have to learn to embrace failure as a possibility. Failure may mean embarrassment, financial instability, but ultimately you have to be willing to give it a go.

Often all the business jargon and theories can be intimidating to new business owners. Practical experience and problem solving are the key skills to running any successful company, once you can understand a problem then you can do something about it.

Put it this way, what will look better on your CV? A typical graduate scheme/internship, or starting a viable business that happened to fail? I can guarantee you will learn more as a small business owner in 6 months, than you will working for someone else.

You can read more from Carl on his website: www.carlreader.com

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“I LOVE IT SO MUCH, THE FREEDOM OF HAVING YOUR OWN LIFE AND BEING ABLE TO WORK THE DAYS YOU WANT”

Food Stylist Kitty Coles With a client list including; Vogue, GQ, Sunday Times and The Great British Bake Off - to name a few - Kitty Coles is the up and coming food stylist in the food industry. Biztank met Kitty at one of her latest shoots to learn more about her career as a food stylist to date.

I’ve always been in love with food, not just eating it but making it look amazing too! I was studying Art at Falmouth University when I started my food blog and realised that this was potentially something I could do as a career. I’m almost two years in now and I’ve had the opportunity to work on some amazing projects, with some very talented people.

Most of the work is in the preparation. A food stylist’s job is to prepare food for photography, video or film. I have to make the food look fresh and attractive to be photographed for cookbooks, magazines and TV shows. I'm in charge of sourcing the food for the shoots as well, which can be a tricky task at times. Especially when the ingredi-

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ents may be out of season or when you need particularly perfect looking stock. I have to read through all the recipe briefs and design specialist recipes as a contingency plan.

I might have to make numerous versions of the dish just in case one goes wrong or we need to refresh it. I have a tool box of different things to help me make things look good like; spray bottles with oil and water to make meat or veg look shiny and fresh, tweezers for moving small bits around, paint brushes, and rulers for when things need to be really precise!

In one day I can be doing a shoot for The Sunday Times recipes for Anna Jones and the next pouring honey over models in a photo shoot for Vogue. Anything in media you see that has food in it, there will most likely have been a food stylist involved!

There's no such thing as a typical nine-tofive, it changes day to day! But on a normal shoot I will arrive early at the location, around 7.30 so I can unload the car with

all my prepped food and shopping for the day. I’ll then check out the location kitchen to see what I’m working with, they can be absolutely TERRIBLE at times, but other times I get given the most luxurious kitchens to cook in! Every shoot you are working with a different team, so you have to be super friendly and adaptable to get the best results out of the day.

Timings on shoot day can be anything from 5 hours to 19 hours, I once started a shoot at 7am and finished at 3am. We do get to work on some cool sets though, from abandoned warehouses in Shoreditch to stately homes in Surrey.

It’s my dream job but I still need to get paid.

I am lucky that I love what I do! I genuinely get excited if I know I’ve got a new project coming up working with some really cool people. The feeling when I’m flicking through a magazine and I see one of my pictures is really nice. Or getting invited to the launch of a new cook book I’ve been working on, but it is my profession and I do need

to earn money. The rates vary from job to job and the budget allocated on the shoot, but usually you’ll get £300-£400 per day, sometimes the bigger TV shoots you can get up to £800 per day. If you’re starting out as an assistant you will have to work for free a few times but then can get £150 per day once you have some experience.

I don’t really know what I would have done if I hadn’t become a food stylist. I’ve always worked in TV/Film. One of my first jobs was at Pinewood Studios as a costume research assistant on Pirates of the Caribbean and 47 Ronin, I absolutely loved it. My dad runs a restaurant and my mum is an artist so I guess becoming a food stylist is an exact combination of my parents’ jobs. I think I would have persisted with becoming a radio presenter if things hadn’t worked out. I presented the Breakfast show on Reading 107 for a year and a half and definitely saw myself as the next Fearne Cotton.

Freelance work is tough, it has real high’s and low’s, constant peaks and troughs.

Still, I love it so much, having the freedom of having your own life and being able to work the days you want. Marketing yourself is hard especially if you’re not an outgoing person meeting people, making sure they remember and recommend you is so important. Word of mouth is the best way to build your reputation, it means you’re not breaking new ground every time. There is a confidence that comes from being recommended for your work. Having to sit your-

self down to do invoices and taxes is really tough and would definitely fall in the ‘lows’ catagory. Chasing people for payments, keeping track of expenses, if you don’t then you don’t get paid, and that’s all there is to it! I think you have to be very determined if you want to do freelance work as you can easily just lay round for days doing nothing and feel rubbish. Over all it’s been a steep learning curve so far and great fun... But maybe ask me again next year.

“IF YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT SOMETHING YOU NEED TO PROVE IT, NOT JUST TO EVERYONE ELSE BUT TO YOURSELF”

Once you land the job, make yourself annoyingly helpful.

Tip: do the washing up!

All of it! There’s always something to do. Do the jobs no one else wants to do and cook great food!

You can’t be a shy person in this industry.

Persistence is key.

When I started I made a food blog and an Instagram account taking pictures of all the food I cooked. Even if it was a fried egg. I contacted about 50 food stylists with a link to my blog and Instagram asking them to hire me!

If they didn’t reply to my emails I called them. It sounds forward, but if you are passionate about something you need to prove it, not just to everyone else but to yourself.

@kittycolescooks kittycolescooks. wordpress.com

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Kitty Coles Cooks:

slow cooked belly of pork noodle soup: Ingredients

-750ml chicken stock -1.3kg piece of pork belly, rind left on and scored -120g fresh egg noodles -1 free range egg Sesame oil -1 quails egg (or normal egg) -2 tablespoons roasted sesame seeds, black and white -2 carrots -1 red chilli -2 spring onions -5cm piece of ginger -1 garlic clove -1 stick of lemon grass -150g Asian greens, like pak choi or choi sum -A small handful of enoki mushrooms small handful of coriander -1 lime This may look like a really complex recipe with the slow roast belly of pork but trust me its worth it! If you're not in the mood for pork or slow roasting, you can easily replace it with some steak, poached chicken or even just keep it simple with loads of vegetables. This is my favourite at home lunch and my go to dinner party meal. Cheap and filling!

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Turn your oven to full wack and get your pork ready by rubbing the skin of the joint with plenty of salt and 3 tbs of olive oil. Sit the pork on a wire rack in a roasting tin and put in the oven to roast for 20mins until the fat is crispy and has bubbled up. After 30 mins turn down oven to 160C/gas 4 and roast for a further 3 hours until. If the crackling needs more time, wack up the oven again at the end. While the pork is resting start your broth.

Prepare all your vegetables and chilli by slicing them very thinly. Pour the stock in a pan and allow to simmer for a few minutes, grate the ginger and the garlic, bash your lemongrass with a rolling pin to bring out the flavour and add to stock. Simmer for 15 minutes then remove lemon grass and bring

back to the boil. Add your noodles and cook as per pack instructions. Now your pork has rested slice in to 2cm slices ready to add to your noodle bowl.

Pour the broth and some noodles in to a bowl and add the vegetables. These will wilt in the hot water as you now cook your egg.

In a small pan, add a little oil and crack your quails egg an fry for about 2 minutes. Add your pork and then place the lovely egg on top of your noodles,pork, vegetables and broth. Finish with a squeeze of lime, soy sauce and some fresh coriander.

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Since 1983, the Prince’s Trust have helped 80,000 young people to start their own businesses. They work with 18-30 year-olds to turn their big ideas into reality through their Enterprise Programme. From training and mentoring, to funding and resources, they are with you every step of the way.

To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Prince’s Trust’s successful work in helping young people into business, Biztank are celebrating just some of the success stories to be born out of this life changing programme.

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“The Prince’s Trust made me realise that setting up ‘Deadly Donuts’ was my destiny.”

Freddie Spindler DEADLY DONUTS

Freddie, 26, from Edinburgh is a prime example of how determination and self-belief can allow anyone to turn their dreams into a reality.

Growing up wasn’t always easy for Freddie, aged seven his dad underwent gender reassignment, leaving him feeling disconnected and lost.

After finishing school he began working in kitchens in the hope that one day he would fulfill his dream of being a successful chef. However, with deteriorating family relationships Freddie’s life took a turn for the worse, when at aged 22 he was convicted of theft. The resulting feeling of remorse was the motivation he needed to take charge and set up his own business and get his life back on track.

After spending time developing culinary skills in a range of kitchens alongside high profile chefs, including Gordon Ramsay, it was a trip to America that sparked the inspiration for Deadly Donuts. Freddie felt that if he could capture that authentic american taste and take it back to the UK it would be a sure fire recipe for success.

Freddie joined The Prince’s Trust’s Explore Enterprise Programme, a four-day workshop which teaches young people how to start and run a business. The programme includes: planning, marketing, sales, raising capital, budgeting and tax. On successfully completing the course, Freddie found the confidence he needed to set up Deadly Donuts, a cafe which dishes up mouth-watering doughnuts and bagels.

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For the future Freddie wants to open another shop in Glasgow, and also to introduce a supper club on a Friday and Saturday night.

“My advice to other young people thinking of setting up their own business is to work hard and talk to people you can trust.

Don’t be afraid to just go for it, if you don’t someone else will.”

“With just £10 in my pocket I came to London to create my own identity.”

Francesca Brown GOALS 4 GIRLS

Throughout her teenage years Francesca, now 25, from Bromley, lived with and was cared for by her grandmother. With Francesca’s father in prison and not having a strong relationship with her mother, she struggled to find confidence and began to suffer from depression.

“I wanted to be a professional footballer. I got a scholarship to play in Boston America, but unfortunately, a bad injury meant I had to give up that dream. I left Manchester eight years ago with just £10 in my pocket and came to London to create my own identity.”

In January 2015 Francesca joined the Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme looking to focus on her new dream, starting a business. Using the skills and advice from her mentors she was able to then successfully launch her company, Goals4Girls. She now provides a football development programme for young girls aged 11-16, offering coaching, workshops, qualifications, trips as well as mentoring sessions focusing on life skills and personal development. In addition to running Goals4Girls she also looks after her four-year-old son, who she counts as her biggest inspiration.

“I’m passionate about helping other young girls reach their full potential and giving them the encouragement and training they need.”

“Although my dream to be a professional footballer didn’t become a reality”, says Francesca, “I’m passionate about helping other young girls reach their full potential and giving them the encouragement and training they need.”

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TO FIND OUT MORE PLEASE VISIT: www.princes-trust.org.uk

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Butta are the brand changing up the snow and surf wax game. From ‘Breaking Bad’ style beginnings churning up ingredients in a garage in 2011, Butta have developed the formula for the cleanest handmade low fluro-carbon wax on the market.

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“It’s about the way we market ourselves, the quality of the product and the sort of people we are.”

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Tell us about Butta, and your journey so far?

Was reducing your carbon footprint the main ethos to starting Butta?

So I guess the company’s journey started back in 2011. Before that we were both doing seasons and snowboarding everyday out in Val d’Isere, working bar and technician jobs where we could get them. Making wax for our snowboards was just something we enjoyed doing, it wasn’t ever meant to go to market, It was something we were doing for ourselves.

Then, a fantastic thing happened, people started loving our products and wanted to use them. That’s when we realised that we might have a business model here.

Carbon footprint has actually been a big part of everything we do for as long as I can remember. Everything is sourced in the UK, we recycle everything and any waste is boiled down into candles for the homeless. Unfortunately with sports like snowboarding and surfing the carbon footprint is pretty high. The way we see it, this is our industry and it’s up to us to try to lower it.

So what made you think this could become a full time thing?

It’s funny, when we first started I thought this was going to make a huge impact because it was so important to us getting away from potentially harmful waxes and using something that was better for the environment. But I don’t think that is the driving force behind the success of the company. I think it’s far more important that we have put ourselves out there as a brand. It’s about the way we market our selves, the quality of the product and the sort of people we are.

It was a combination of things really, working as ski technicians in the mountains, we started to think about the dangers of high fluro ski waxes. When the season was over we pretty much locked ourselves away in my dad’s garage for six months to find an eco friendly alternative. We mixed up different ingredients and by trial and error we found our final recipe. We started getting loads of feedback from people we used to test it, and soon the feedback turned into orders. That’s when we realised we were really onto something.

Do you think people are attracted to your products because they are so Eco friendly?

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“Do those things with the same enthusiasm that drove you to take that leap of faith in the beginning, then you will make a success of it.�

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What was your background before Butta?

Jim – I did an GNVQ in business then I went off to University to study sports management, but it took me 3 months at Gloucester Uni to figure out that it wasn’t for me and I realised that I needed to get my hands dirty.

Dan – I have an HND in graphic design, and since leaving college I’ve been a freelance designer and making some good money restoring classic cars with my dad.

As the founders of Butta what does a typical day consist of?

There isn’t one... 70% of the time we will both be here doing the day to day running of the company, whether it’s the design work, manufacturing the wax, social media, invoicing and accounts, your typical day stuff, but we try to get out to the mountains and oceans as often as we can. We follow the competition series of some of the world’s best snowboarders and surfers. We are just back from ‘Air and Style’ in Innsbruck. That is one of Shaun White’s events where they build a huge kicker in the city, so we go out and look after the riders kit, which is a great perk to the job. There’s a whole series that we get invited along to, get we get involved with the riders and that’s where the fun comes from, where we get to see the products being used, and the reaction from the people using them.

So what have been the highs and lows since you first launched?

They’re all highs! We didn’t go out looking for a business to run, this business has found us. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else, and whatever lows there have been have only helped us improve what we do and how we do it. The thing to remember in starting any business, it’s tough, and you have to be prepared to work for it.

@butta.co.uk @butta_ltd butta.co.uk

That said, people may say it’s great fun or how much they love it, but there is a huge amount of work involved in making it happen. Working long 12-15 hours days when it’s needed because there is no one else to do it, and taking no pay is not for everyone. However, if you

can do those things with the same enthusiasm that drove you to take that leap of faith in the first place, then you will make a success of it.

Live for the highs, they will always outshine the lows in the long run.

If you weren’t running Butta what could you see yourself doing now?

Jim – I would probably still be a mechanic in the motor trade getting my hands dirty.

Dan – Probably graphic design work, either that or doing something with classic cars.

That’s how we met, at classic car shows, renovating, buying and selling cars but basically just a love of classic cars.

So what’s on the Horizon for Butta?

Skate wax is the next product on the scene, we will be pushing the pro team and sales of that.

Again it’s Eco friendly, and it smells so great.

We love coffee, we love Cadbury’s cream eggs and Kebabs too, but we didn’t think Kebab smelling wax would go down so well so we went with coffee.

We’re planning another summer bus tour, making some good contacts and getting some mad new content for social media. We’re booking in festivals and getting some dates in the diary fast. But our number one goal is to get the BAD wax off the shelves and get the GOOD wax on the shelves, keep the sales up and do everything we can to make sure our moral start-up goes the right way.

What advice would you give any young entrepreneurs looking to start their own journey?

I try to avoid giving advice if I can help it, I just ask the questions to help them find the right answers for themselves. That’s all we can do.

When I decided to leave a stable job and the career I worked hard to get so i could go off and do seasons, they thought I was completely mad. I had the car, the phone, the job security, but I had to do it. I had to follow my dream.

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Graduate Spotlight PWC | MEGGITT | ACCENTURE | DESIGNWORKS

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An inside track to just some of the many graduate schemes out there from the current graduates embarking on them.

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“I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GREAT PLACE TO START MY CAREER, WITH LOTS OF OTHER GRADUATES AROUND AND WORKING WITH SOME HUGE CLIENTS”

What does the application process involve?

PwC - Assurance & Consulting Associate Imogen Yardley

Durham Uni, BA Economics Tell us about your role at PwC. I’m on a split scheme between assurance and consulting so I spend equal time in each department. When I’m in assurance I work within the Banking and Capital markets practice where my main client has been a large US investment bank. In consulting it’s a little more varied and I have worked on all sorts of projects from internal to healthcare and sustainability.

The first few years is fairly structured so you are given a timetable of exams, ‘a pathway’ along with set time that you’ll spend in each department. This is useful to plan your time, although it can be little frustrating if you want a specific consulting job but can’t because you have to move back to audit before it finishes etc.

Why did you choose to apply for PwC Graduate Scheme/Placement year?

PwC is well known for its grad schemes and it also has a fantastic brand image. I thought it would be a great place to start my career, with lots of other graduates around and working with some huge clients. Finally the fact that there is room for real progression was hugely important, and somewhere like PwC can really provide a solid platform from which you can progress.

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The application process is quite long. You have to fill out a basic application form and complete some online competency tests. You are then invited to a phone interview followed by an assessment centre and then finally a partner interview. It sounds like a lot but they’re pretty transparent about the process and there’s lots of useful information on the Internet.- Google definitley helped me prepare for my interviews!

What are the highs of working for a company like PwC, anything interesting you’re working on?

The people are the best thing about the company, I know it’s cliché but everyone is so nice. There are loads of graduates around and the company often organises social events so in a way it’s like an extension of uni. I think that’s something that a lot of graduates can struggle with after university as they move into the workplace, missing the social side of university. There are also loads of opportunities to work abroad and travel to cool offices, I’ve just come back from our office in Barbados!

If there are any, what are the challenges you have faced since starting at PwC? The audit exams are pretty annoying. It’s harder if you don’t have any friends who are also studying for the same professional qualifications as you do, having to give up evenings/weekends just before the exams isn’t so much fun. They’re worth it though and a benefit of being at PwC is that generally there’ll be a lot of people in a similar situation so you’ll always have someone to revise with/complain about exams with.

Any last words of wisdom to anyone thinking of applying for a role at PwC...

If you’re thinking about it, I would just apply. Don’t forget to do your research, there’s loads of help online and even if you’re not successful it’ll be a good learning experience... Oh and get a friend to refer you so that if you accept and join you can split the bonus!

“GET INVOLVED, NOT ONLY WITH PROJECTS BUT WITH THE PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH”

Meggitt - Graduate Aerospace Engineer Freddie Pole

Loughborough Uni, MEng Systems Engineering Tell us about your role at Meggitt.

As a graduate systems engineer, I have been put on several different projects at once—Meggitt likes it’s graduates to bring a fresh perspective to a range of different projects. At the moment I’m working as part of a team improving one of our sensor product lines through design.

This could manifest itself in a range of ways, from sourcing a better microchip with a different supplier, to changing the mechanical workings of the sensor itself.

When I first started, I worked within a larger team completing a major research project. This required me to apply my degree in systems engineering to help with research and system integration before testing.

My roles have become more and more demanding and I see many opportunities ahead.

Why did you choose to apply for the Meggitt Graduate Placement Scheme/Year?

Diversity within the organisation. My degree can be applied almost universally and, as a systems engineer, I can work within many different engineering disciplines. That’s what inspired me to choose my degree and what had to offer. Also, Aerospace as a whole offers a host of different opportunities from military hardware to commercial airliners. The industry is large and global, there are plenty of options to experience different roles and different technologies.

What did the application process involve?

The application was smooth. I met a current Meggitt graduate at my university’s careers fair initially, then an online application, uploading my CV with a short covering letter and completing a few more detailed questions. The interviews were really engaging with team-building exercises and interviews with potential colleagues. The main focus was on our university projects and how we thought they could be applied to Meggitt in innovative ways.

What are the highs of working for a company like Meggitt, any interesting projects you’ve been involved in?

There have been many but three really stand out. Making friends and connections is one. Meggitt is highly selective and the intake is relatively small. Second, the work itself, having the opportunity to work on new projects at the forefront of technology is huge for me. And finally, the opportunity to travel. I've been all over the UK working on different projects. I have been out to the US and am now working and living in Spain, which has been an amazing experience.

If there are any, what are the challenges you’ve faced since starting at Meggitt?

The transition into a nine-to-five office role. The workplace is such a different environment to university and there can be an initial teething period. However, office lifestyle and its routines have a big upside. I have learnt to use this structure to make sure I am productive in my working hours and able to focus on enjoying my time out of the office.

Any last words of wisdom to anyone thinking of applying for a role at Meggitt...

Get involved, not only with projects but with the people you work with. Everyone wants to work with someone who is sociable and easy to get on with. Also ask questions, it can be quite daunting interrupting someone to help with your work but ultimately you are there to learn so it’s far better ask for helo, deliver and learn along the way.

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“THERE ARE SOME INCREDIBLY WEIRD AND WONDERFUL IDEAS MANIFESTING WITHIN THIS SPACE RIGHT NOW”

Accenture Business Analyst Gideon Hurwitz

Newcastle Uni BA Business Managment Tell us about your role at Accenture.

I’m working within our Innovation Centre, as a workshop designer and business analyst. Our role is pre-strategy, taking C-Suite executives through a workshop combining divergent and convergent thinking methodologies to reflect on their company’s current position within the market, this provides an insight into what their capabilities are and how they can develop. Given the dramatic increase in technology, the recent political upheaval, and changes to the global economic landscape – there are some incredibly weird and wonderful ideas manifesting within this space right now.

Why did you choose to apply for the Accenture Graduate Scheme/Placement year?

I initially applied to Accenture in my first year for a summer placement having seen the stall at the university careers fair. In all honesty, I’d never really heard of the company, but as soon as I found out that management consulting was a corporate version of problem solving I became interested. Following a bootcamp and some interview rounds they offered me a 12-month internship instead of the original summer placement (8 week) I had applied for. To this day I have no regrets – it put something noticeable on my CV, and I really got a great vibe from the company – which is probably the main reason I returned.

To anyone thinking about placements at university; having a graduate contract secured whilst returning to study will make your life a lot less stressful (even if you want to apply to other organisations!).

Furthermore, Accenture has a great culture. The people are one of its greatest assets, and it makes even the harder and strenuous times bearable (even enjoyable). They also invest quite a lot of money into the analyst/consultant yearly events, which are great!

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What does the application process involve?

It’s been a long time since I did the application process and I am sure it

will have changed somewhat since. I understand they now have a 5 step process, including an online application and test, a digital interview and an assessment centre in one of Accenture’s UK offices, which usually includes a group exercise and a 1:1 interview. Accenture usually partner successful applicants with a buddy to support them through the process and help them prepare for the assessment centre.

What have the highs about working at Accenture, any exciting/interesting projects you’ve been involved in?

Highlights for me would include the initial two-week training in Chicago and our winter analyst ball at the Natural History Museum. The best part is the variety of projects and the variety of people. Accenture has an extremely inclusive and diverse culture, with lots of opportunities to get involved in extra-curricular activities, from corporate citizenship initiatives, sport societies and training as well as good support from career counsellors and line managers in your day to day role.

If there are any, what have been some of the challenges you’ve faced whilst working at Accenture?

The hours in a consultancy job can be very varied. Sometimes you will have quieter periods, and other times you will be very stretched, occasionally having to work later than normal. That said, in the big picture things tends to balance out. While it is also fun to travel with work, this too, at times, can be a bit unsettling and tiring. But, personally I like the change of scenery every now and then!

Any last words of wisdom to anyone thinking of applying for a role at Accenture...

Make sure to do your research on whether consultancy is right for you. If you are keen on consulting and Accenture then there are lots of reps at universities and at career fairs to point you in the right direction. I would highly recommend speaking to people who have been there and done it to get the best idea on how you see yourself fitting into a company like Accenture.

What was the application process like for you?

For product design and the design industry in particular things are very casual. The whole process was via email rather than an online application form which most businesses are using at the moment.

Everything is very much about your work and your portfolio rather than your CV which is what makes the design industry so different.

Here at Designworks they select five candidates for the role, invite you to an open day, give you a tour of the building and then sit you down for a portfolio review. This isn't an interview in the usual sense but more of a casual chat where you get the opportunity to really explain your work and they ask you a few questions based on that, rather than rattling off a set interview questions.

What are the highs of working for Designworks, any exciting projects you’ve been involved in?

Designworks Junior Designer Dom Underwood

Loughborough University BA Industrial Design and Tech Tell us about your role at Designworks.

I am a Junior design intern which means my role is pretty varied. I need to be flexible in what I do in order to help where I am needed. One day I could be brought in to finish off a presentation ahead of a meeting with a client, the next I could be putting on the finishing touches to a piece of CAD design work. I have to be pretty proactive in my work, asking around the office for who needs the extra pair of hands and getting stuck in with anything and everything.

Why did you choose to apply for the Designworks Graduate Scheme/Placement year?

Actually for my year 10 work placement I worked in a similar company doing product design and I knew that was an area that had really interested me because of all the different facets. Every day is different and there are always a range of different projects going on, so a consultancy was where I really wanted to be, I didn’t want to be stuck in a business which is focussed on just one project. Plus, I really thrive on the challeneg of taking on a multitude of different projects which can be applied to a range of industries. After researching a range of companies, Designworks really caught my eye. It really fit the bill as a consultancy with a range of different departments working on an array of projects. It was quite casual, you don’t need to wear a suit and it looked a fun place to work. That’s really important for me, finding a job in which I can really enjoy myself.

Here at Designworks we have branched out from just product design to character design, and we are creating a selection of collectable figures based on movies, such as Alien Vs Predator, Iron Man etc. The sculptures are now using robotics and haptic feedback to sculpt a highly accurate virtual design which can then be 3D printed. This is so successful that Designworks are launching this as a sub brand called Sculptworks who will have their own little mascot (a little pig with a jetpack). I have been challenged with creating the packaging on my own which is really nice to be given some real responsibility over the product and to have a hand in creating something which is going to have practical use in the real world. Often juniors spend time with people constantly looking over their shoulder, here I have some freedom and responsibility which has made me feel like I can really contribute to what is going on.

If there are any, what have been some of the challenges you’ve faced whilst working at Designworks?

For me time management was a big one, at university you can be really flexible, pull all nighters and get your work done. Here you need to be focussed, you might be able to stay late for a couple of hours but you don't have the same flexibility, you need to make sure you are as time efficient as possible to meet those deadlines. Whilst I enjoy responsibility with it comes pressure, when something lands on your desk its for a client which can be daunting and you can’t afford to produce anything which is sub par. You have to ensure that your work is always completed to the highest spec and turned around in time so you can feel the pressure there at times.

Have you got any tips for candidates about to enter their first portfolio review?

I would say be yourself and your work should always speak for itself.

You need to have well thought out creative ideas which have real potential. You also need to show that you are easy to work with and can be effective in a team. Be relaxed, everyone has been through this exact same process before so they completely understand, and in fact want you to do well.

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TOP TIPS

Knowing the importance of networking we have developed some useful tips to help you get the most out of your precious time:

For many of our readers, networking is a new challenge which can be both demanding and daunting. It goes without saying that making connections with local businesses is a vital first step when it comes to laying the foundations of your own. Often networking events attract a large variety of delegates from small business owners to representatives of some of the biggest global brands. Before you book your first event its vital to know what you can acheive: Building friendships, having a support network of people you feel comfortable speaking to is hugely important, they can help soundboard some of your ideas and take the pressure off some of those bigger decisions.

Advice, often there will be designated group leaders at these events who can help put you in touch with relevant people in industry who can offer you real professional advice and insight into some of the issues you face.

Know your business

Set Objectives

It goes without saying that preparation is key, how many episodes of Dragon’s Den have you seen where the product is great but the pitch has really let them down. You really have to be confident in what you are building, know your business, be engaged, be enthused and be prepared.

When you walk through the doors of your first event, you must have clear established goals for what you wish to achieve - Remember if this is your first time at networking event one of your main goals should be awareness, don’t harass people with business cards but talk briefly and effectively to as many businesses as you can, take an interest in what they do and be interesting in what you say - By having set goals you are well prepared and can maximise the time you have at these events. You don’t want to find yourself losing track of time and losing focus of what you want to achieve. If you find you have left the networking event having only spoken to one or two people who’s businesses don’t really marry up with your own, you could find yourself questioning what you have managed to achieve.

Bring someone with you Bringing someone with you is a great way to address your first networking event. This person may not necessarily have to work with you or be involved, but a friend who knows exactly what it is you’re trying to achieve is only going to boost your confidence. It can be daunting walking into a room with representatives of well established businesses, a second person will not only help you cover more ground but will be a valuable person to bring into conversation and help establish a good rapport.

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Insight, whilst your business is small you will be spending a lot of one on one time with your computer, getting out of the office and meeting people in local industries can give you a real insight into how the market is developing.

Promotion, developing a physical relationship with local business representatives aids you in building a reputation and brand awareness, it is vital to establish your brand in the early days of any business and networking is one of the best ways to do so.

Opportunity, in the form of potential deals, partnerships and collaborative working with relevant businesses, it is important to not push for business from the get go, establish relationships and trust, then the business will take care of itself. Like any task networking requires patience and hard work before you begin to see rewards.

Book ahead

Be open minded

Behind every great networking event there is often an overarching team who plan and schedule these events on a regular basis. Before you sign up to an event call the head office and speak to your local representative. Networking events will often have a local leader who you will be put in contact with before you go. Talk to this person, explain your business and your objectives in advance. This person will be no stranger to new businesses entering the group and will offer support and introductions to relevant people at your first event.

Having discussed the importance of setting objectives it is also important to maintain an open mind. You never know exactly who will be walking through the door at any given event and whilst there will be some regular faces you must be prepared to seize any opportunities that may come your way. Allow some time to address new people and new businesses, you never know how this could expand your own.

Check out Business Biscotti for Networking events all over the UK: www.businessbiscotti.co.uk

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Gina Soden’s

ruinporn

Derelict asylums. Ex-military compounds. Abandoned power stations. These are just some of the places Gina’s work has taken her to, capturing the beauty in industrial decay through photography. Awarded the Naylor Award for the Finest Photograph 2014 and Emerging Artist of the Year 2013 in the National Open Art Competition, Gina’s work is now being covered by GQ and The Independent. Biztank sat down with Gina to find out how she turned thought provoking photography into a viable business.

@ginasodenartist @ginasodenartist ginasoden.co.uk 56

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‘SPECIALISE IN SOMETHING THAT INSPIRES YOU, AND IT WILL SHOW IN YOUR WORK’

Describe your path into photography?

As a kid I was always inspired by my dad, he always had the latest gadgets and camera. We’re talking back in the day when it was actual film cameras. I remember borrowing one of his cameras on holiday to Norway one time and being amazed by it all.

I enrolled at Reading University to study photography and multimedia, that’s where I got stuck in and fell in love with the dark room. I’d spend hours and hours developing negatives. and I’d always be the last to hand in a project.

I wasn’t the most academic student but I knew straight away that photography was what I wanted to do. I was totally hooked. I still keep in touch with my tutors who have been a huge support to me over the years.

After uni I took a photography job on a cruise ship for about 18 months and I continued to travel. It gave me an appetite to explore the world with my camera and whilst I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do long term, it allowed me to eat, pay my bills and keep going.

Did you ever imagine your passion would lead to such a dark subject matter?

No, not back then. I was just enjoying photography so much, but I do remember one of my tutors telling me to focus on one area, and perfect that, and he was right. The practice of shooting anything and everything might seem like a good idea when you’re not sure which direction you’re going in, but all it does is confuse you and potential clients as to what you are best at. You can always change your mind later, but the very sound advice I got early on

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was specialise in something that inspires you, and it will show in your work, and that’s exactly what I have done.

I was always looking for that one thing, that something that would grab me, and define my work. Now I have that, and while it’s not completely unique, there are not too many people doing it my way.

What inspired you to pursue a career in photography, specifically urbex/ruinporn?

As boring as it sounds, it’s architecture. In England there are some incredibly grand, elegant buildings that fascinate me. Amazing run-down derelict buildings, like hospitals, asylums, and manor houses. Then in mainland Europe there’s the French, Dutch and German architecture it’s so different and beautiful in it’s own way. Then there’s the brutalist, art-deco, things that I never thought would interest me, but they all have their own story, my job is to find it.

Recently I visited a grand old derelict home near Windsor in Berkshire. It turned out to be the home of John Wilton the poet while he wrote. It was so amazing to see libraries full of books covered in dust and cobwebs, and an old piano with sheet music as if it had just been played, gathering dust in the corner of the room. Furniture still in place and so much still as if it had just been left to decay. Unfortunately, it’s all been locked down now so it’s not possible to see anymore but it was a pleasure to be there and to sense the story behind the building.

“AS I MATURE, AND I DEVELOP A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD AROUND ME, I FEEL COMPELLED TO DO SOMETHING, TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE” Gina Soden

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“FOR SO MANY YEARS I DIDN’T DO THIS...

I WISH THAT I HAD”

What advice would you give to anyone at College or University thinking about a career in photography?

Keep at it, and don’t get distracted. You will be inspired by so many people, so stay focussed and stay inspired. Procrastination is your enemy.

My advice would be, believe in yourself. If it is something you really want to do, just do it.

I would advise people to network as much as possible. Don’t be afraid of talking to people and don’t be afraid to ask for help, the worst that can happen is that they say no. I’ve been rejected so many times, but on the odd occasion I have been successful it has made it so worthwhile. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Don’t waste time comparing your work with other people’s, it’s counter-productive.

So what’s next for you?

I really enjoy this line of work but it is becoming increasingly difficult to stay current.‘Ruinporn’ is becoming more and more popular, while it’s not a nice term it does describe the popularity of decaying buildings, whether its for model shoots, adverts or music videos, decay has become extremely fashionable. So I am always looking for something new and

different. I can’t say too much at the moment but I have a new technique I am experimenting with, and it might not be presented as photography. I will be using photography in its original format but then doing something very different with it, and that will mean it will be presented in a unique way. I would like to say more but I’ve probably said too much as it is.

What do you want to be remembered for?

The more time has passed the more I am trying to contribute, perhaps in a political way.

I think it is very sad that these incredible old buildings are being left the way they are. As I mature, and I develop a better understanding of the world around me, I feel compelled to do something to make a difference, if that makes sense...

Perhaps I will use my art to raise awareness of issues that mean something to me. I would like to do something good for homeless children, perhaps by using these old buildings in some way. ‘Broken Britain is something I am giving some thought to but maybe I will tell you more about that next time.

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@jackintheboxfilms jackintheboxfilms.com 62

Glen Kirby:

Jack In The Box Films

The 25 year-old film producer/ director and founder of Jack In The Box Films, who was shortlisted for Berlin and Raindance film festivals, invited Biztank to join him with the cast and crew at the screen premiere of his first feature film, Off-Piste.

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Back then I just wanted to make films.What I mean is that, I didn’t consider that I was competing when I started out. I didn’t stop to think about the responsibility of delivering a film. My single focus was to make films as best I could, not for anyone else.

Box office sales in the UK are around £2 Billion. Why I thought I could make it in such a competitive, closed shop industry I’ll never know, but I believed in myself, and I had a choice. I knew that if I took the traditional route and worked my way up, that maybe I would get the opportunity to direct one day, but the idea of waiting 20 years to do the one thing that I had talent and a passion for, was out of the question. It had taken me too long to discover what I felt I was meant to do, and I wasn’t prepared to wait.

I knew that my age mattered in the industry and thought it would hold me back, perhaps more than it really did. I did work in different roles for a few years, if only to keep my head

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above water with the rent and to give myself a fighting chance. But it wasn’t too long before I decided to go for it, and start my own company – Jack in the box films. The best decision I ever made.

I’ve learnt so much in the last 5 years, there are still times that age and maturity play a part in business but the more I understand the importance of the business end; the sales process, finance, book keeping, forecasting, the more seriously I am taken and the more capable I am on a professional level. I still have the same drive and ambition, and with my own company and with the right people around me, I am able to attract new work and investors who I am pleased to say put their faith in me to deliver profitable films, time after time.

The film industry relies on experience and reliability, but there comes a time when any business needs young blood and new inspiration. There aren’t too many topics that haven’t been covered in films, so we need inspiring,

innovative minds to push the boundaries. I think because of my own experiences I will be more engaging with younger talent as I move forward with my career. I think age and maturity is important when it comes to things like sales, raising finance and being taken seriously on a professional level but not in the making of a film, that’s less about age and more about your mind set.

It’s what I want to do with the rest of my life.

Nothing really made me sit up and take notice at school in terms of what I was going to do with my life, until I considered a career in the film industry. That's when I woke up. That's when I knew what I was meant to do. At film school it was different, from day one there was there was a focus, most people had a clear idea about the direction they were going to take, and it’s infectious.

The biggest impact, the thing that makes the biggest impression for me is the ability that film has to trigger emotions. Firstly my own,

“IF YOU HAVE REGRETS IT MEANS YOU BELIEVE THERE ARE THINGS YOU COULD DO BETTER AND THERE ARE DEFINITELY THINGS I COULD HAVE DONE BETTER!”

“THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN HANDS ON EXPERIENCE, TO LEARN ON THE JOB AND LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES.” then I learnt how it could affect others and as a film maker you have an opportunity every time you write a script, or develop a screenplay, to make people feel something. That’s what really inspires me..

I guess I just needed time to figure things out.

Who really knows what they're going to do then they're so young? For starters I didn't realise I had a creative side, I guess I get that from my mum. I remember her writing children’s books when I was young. My sister is a performing arts teacher so she’s definitely got it, and until now I never really thought about it, maybe I was supposed to do this all along, I just had to work it out for myself. I think that’s true for a lot of people, they just need time to figure things out.

No regrets is a term thrown around a lot, everyone has regrets whether they admit it or not. It's fine to have regrets but in moderation. If you have regrets it means you believe there are things you could do better and there

are definitely things I could have done better.

For me, I used to be paranoid that no one would like my films. When I was studying at Southampton Uni I wanted to make sure every film I made became a cult hit. The single hit that would make me successful and launch my career, and of course it never happened. What I would do differently is experiment more, and just get it out there. That's the only way to learn, by just doing it.

Not everyone will like your work. It’s naive to think they will so don’t dwell on it, be bold, creative and unique.That is what makes us who we are.

The best advice I can give anyone keen on getting into the business is to watch films, make films, and make more films. Keep making films and you will grow. There is nothing better than hands on experience, to learn on the job and learn from your mistakes. Find a mentor and collaborate. Find the team that will grow with you. There’s no harm in bring-

ing specific skillsets to the team when they're needed, like a cinematographer who’s style best suits your vision for a project. Perhaps a producer who believes in you or your work.

Someone who can manage the business end for the film, and get things done.

I guess looking back some might say I was dreaming, or being unrealistic to go it alone. I like to think it was ambition. I wanted to be in a position where I could direct other people's films or in time, my own, but most importantly it was my choice.

Every waking moment right now is focused on my next feature, ‘The Pugilist.’ That's where I see my future. I guess that’s the way it’s going to be from now on, 100% focus on the current project. I think it’s harder when you're writing and producing a film as there is a thousand things to plan and consider, but I like that, I like that I have an element of control on each part of the process. Then again I did say I was a bit of a perfectionist.

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HEY! BEFORE YOU GO WHY NOT CONNECT ON SOCIAL?

WWW.BIZTANK.CO.UK

@BIZTANK FACEBOOK.COM/ BIZTANK.CO.UK

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Don’t hide behind your degree, you are facing your biggest challenge yet.

Find out what employers are looking for.

reading.ac.uk/careers 68