ISSUE 02 NOVEMBER 07
think it. do it. find out about young people with businesses of their own. could you be next?
Contents
03 Chewing it over
Long live the Urban Revolution
04 Market leaders
For Instant Fashion Happiness, just add success
05 Sounds good
Making sweet Dolphin Music 04
13
12
06 Let’s meet up Connect to the network
07 Grow your own
Sowing the seeds with Nurtur
08 Jam today
It’s no ordinary jam… it’s SuperJam!
09 Motivation with Amaechi John Amaechi speaks to Mint 07
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09
27
11 Time for tea
Leaf makes a refreshing change
12 Mobile magic
Try some Inflite entertainment
13 Child’s play Cuddle up with iTeddy
14 Dressed for success
Looking good with Gorgeous Couture 25
26
09
05
19
14
15 Be different Can you think ‘unique’?
17 Inspiration on the road
Are you switched on? How many bright sparks does it take to change your life? Actually, just one. It’s the one bright spark that ignites the idea, that then
Mint magazine is full of bright sparks, and now they’re
smoulders away in a corner of your mind until it
all running businesses that they created. They thought
begins to consume all your thoughts and dreams.
of something – and then they acted on it. Most of
It’s the bright spark that occurs when you imagine a
them are not much older than you – or they weren’t
product you think people would like, or when you work
when they turned their idea into a real live business.
out a better way of doing things, or simply when you realise you don’t want to work for anyone else.
Which just goes to show: bright sparks can strike at any time. Don’t let the light go out.
Meet
From the USA to Liverpool with Mando Group
19 Kids rule ok
Be seen and heard at Kids Allowed
20 Wonder web Axamba and the IT crowd
21 Meet the locals
Your Safe Planet makes travelling miles better
They’re fizzing with good ideas, so keep an eye out for them throughout this magazine.
22 High velocity
Stay up for hours with Velocity Drinks
23 A tenner goes a long way Turning ten quid into hundreds
25 When the face fits
Take a peek inside Facebook
26 Straight to the top
Enter the world of Vikas Shah
27 Name that tune
Write the Theme tune, sing the Theme tune
29 Are you an enterprising young Brit? Meet some prize winning young people
Chewing it over 03
Any litter makes the street look a mess, but when it’s chewing gum that’s chucked on the floor, the problem can stick around for years. Removing chewing gum from pavements costs plenty – but thanks to Chris Bradshaw’s innovative UR Bin, there’s now a socially responsible place to put your Wrigley’s. Chris, aged 24, set up his company Urban Revolution in Liverpool in 2005. His bins take chewing gum and cigarette butts, and offer a secure locking and emptying system while keeping costs down – which is just what his customers want. His UR bins are now appearing up and down the country, so if the streets start looking a little
Market
leaders From Marks And Spencer to Red Or Dead, the humble market stall has been the breeding ground for no end of big brands over the years. So if you’ve got a product that could go down well among the hustle and bustle of a busy market, why not take your first steps with a stall?
You’re used to full-time learning – and you know
University graduate not only sold plenty of clothes, she also
you don’t know it all.
the north of England – and she still has a stall at Manchester
Who did you go to for help? “My first stop was a careers advisor who gave me a few
how to do things differently. So don’t be put off. You’re the right age to think about running a business – and the sooner you start, the better.
“Find out about your local business
need one of those.”
networking events – and go to them! You
What’s your advice for young people with big ideas?
never know who you’ll meet. If I hadn’t done exactly that, I don’t think I’d have
“Keep persevering! It’s hard work at first, but it
www.urbanrevolution.eu
found the Chinese metal manufacturer
will pay off in the end. I had trouble getting the funding I needed, but once I started getting my work in shops in the UK, I knew Instant Fashion Happiness could become a strong fashion brand.”
Follow in Sarah’s footsteps: Creative Bias – www.creativebias.org Train 2000 – www.train2000.org.uk
www.instantfashionhappiness.co.uk
04
want to make a go of your business, you really
www.makeyourmarkconnect.org
You’re not stuck in your ways, and you can see
really helped with my business plan – and if you
Got any good advice?
Make Your Mark Connect –
FRESH THINKING
valuable tips. Then Creative Bias and Train 2000
the marketplace.”
Weston Spirit – www.westonspirit.org.uk
You can think of better things to do than just
Instant Fashion Happiness. The 23 year-old John Moores
Fashion Market every Saturday.
Follow in Chris’s footsteps:
BAGS OF ENERGY
THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE
“The Weston Spirit were brilliant – they
who helped turn my idea into reality.”
you can afford to take risks.
fashion creations in Liverpool and Manchester under the name
You can now find her distinctive hand-printed designs across
a business plan and take the idea to
Without kids or a mortgage to tie you down,
having a nice sit down.
Who helped get your idea off the ground?
They gave me the confidence to produce
FEWER RESPONSIBILITIES
That’s what Sarah Randle did when she started selling her own
made contact with stockists who wanted to sell her stuff.
are a charity that helps young people.
If you think you need a track record, a fat wallet and a head full of grey hair before anyone takes your business idea seriously, think again. You might not have much business experience, but you’re young. And that can count for a lot.
BIG THINKING
BIG THINKING
smarter, you know who to thank.
Act your age
Make Your Mark will help you turn your idea into living, breathing reality. It’s packed with tips about finding help, raising money and running your business – it’s inspiring stuff, and it’s aimed at people your age.
www.makeyourmark.org.uk
05
Sounds good When you’ve got £100,000 worth of stock lying around in your student house, you can feel pretty sure that your business is taking off. And if you’ve turned over a million quid in your first year… well, that must sound like music to your ears. That’s what happened to Jason Tavaria and Rob Williams BIG THINKING
and started selling music equipment online. “Our first idea was selling dance music software to DJs – but it soon dawned on us that we could take things further,”
large, established companies dominating the market and it was hard to break into the circle, but we did it.” These days there are 25 people working for Jason and
Hi
If you use websites like MySpace, you’re already networking. But did you know that networks are also one of the best ways of meeting business people and picking their brains?
Rob, and they deliver instruments anywhere in the UK
Networking events happen all over the country and there
the day after they’re ordered. So how do you take your
are almost certainly events near you. Sometimes they’re
first steps towards this kind of success?
relaxed affairs over a drink and some nibbles, sometimes they’re breakneck ‘speed networking’ events – but they’re
“Make sure you have a business plan,” says Jason. “The more you plan, the better your chance of succeeding.”
always full of people who know the challenges and pitfalls
HEY
of starting a business.
BIG THINKING
as they finished their courses at Liverpool University
Jason says it was tough at first – “There were already
Let’s meet up
Networking will help you make contacts and meet people from the local business community. They might be potential customers or suppliers, or they could just have some
recalls Jason.
invaluable advice. And even if they can’t help you today,
Now their Dolphin Music company has expanded into high street stores in Liverpool, Gateshead and Huddersfield. They stock vintage guitars for rock gods, of instruments aimed at school kids taking their first tentative squawks, strums and scrapes.
who knows what they’ll be able to do for you in the future?
Make Your Mark Connect You’ll find all kinds of ideas, information, contacts and events at Make Your Mark Connect. You can even ask questions, post your business brainwaves, get online advice and find out what other people are up to – all from the comfort of your keyboard! Make Your Mark Connect is about connecting you with ideas, so take a look and tap into some free support. And of course, it’s the best place to find out about networking events near you!
www.makeyourmarkconnect.org
HELLO
06
lighting rigs for club nights, and even a range
www.dolphinmusic.co.uk
07
Grow your own You never know when a good idea will hit you, but for 22 year-old Jonathan Gibaud, inspiration struck after a chat with his mum.
“It offers all the rewards of allotment gardening
“She mentioned that many of her friends said they
So how will Jonathan’s garden grow?
wanted an allotment to grow their own organic food,
“With a lot of hard work, some crying and some hair
but never really had the time or inclination to get
pulling, but then lots more products, more people
their hands muddy.”
joining us, and a fantastic life for all involved,”
without the effort and the muddy boots,” he says, and he’s confident it can put down roots in a market that’s hungry for organic grub without the usual hefty price tag.
Jam today Fraser Doherty is one of the jammiest young people in Britain – but his success is definitely all down to hard work. 18 year-old Fraser is the creator of SuperJam, a tasty treat that’s jam-packed with yummy fruit but completely free of added sugar and sweeteners.
“When I started, I didn't really look for help anywhere. I liked the idea that this was something I was doing by myself, totally independently. I got help mastering the art of jam-making from my Gran when I started though, which I was really grateful for.”
Fit for the future SuperJam is a healthier alternative to traditional jams that are loaded with extra sugar, and Fraser is determined to keep us in shape.
he reckons. And his advice? Talking about allotments had planted a seed – and
SuperJam is proving such a hit that it’s now spreading
the more Jonathan thought about it, the more it grew.
nationwide – you’ll find it on the shelves in some of
Since then his idea has flourished, and is about to BIG THINKING
developed by his own young company, Nurtur.
So what is an Enu?
“If you’ve got an idea, just do it. You’ll always regret it if you don’t.”
and Waitrose.
A sticky situation Fraser’s first jam session was a batch of marmalade –
Well… the design is currently under wraps, but
he sold six jars door to door, then tried twelve jars…
Jonathan calls it a self-watering gardening pod for
and after a couple of years, he was mixing up
use inside or out.
thousands of jars every month.
“There are lots of foods which are traditionally very unhealthy that, with a bit of innovation, can be made much more healthy. I've got loads of ideas for the future!”
BIG THINKING
bloom into an innovative new product called an ‘Enu’
the country’s biggest supermarkets including Tesco
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www.superjam.co.uk
‘What’s stopping you?’ is the rallying cry of The Prince’s Trust. They give all kinds of support to young people, and if you’re between 18-30, are unemployed, and have a business idea, they can even help you out with some hard cash.
www.princes-trust.org.uk www.nurtur.co.uk
Motivation with Amaechi
09
John Amaechi is the basketballer from Stockport who did what few of his countrymen have achieved. He played – and succeeded – in the sport’s biggest league: the NBA. Now he’s back in this country, motivating people with his own special brand of inspiration. Here’s what he had to say to Mint. MINT MAG:
JOHN AMAECHI:
JOHN AMAECHI:
I have a consultancy firm called Animus Consulting –
Creating a buzz about the work I do, and putting myself
we work with businesses on issues of personnel
in a position to work with world-class corporations and
development, team and group dynamics, leadership,
government institutions was difficult. I have had to break
and the implementation of diversity programmes.
the stereotype that many people have about ‘dumb jocks’!
I also travel Europe and the US speaking to companies,
I think it’s an ongoing process!
educational institutions and government departments on various motivational and inspirational issues.
MINT MAG: Have you got any new projects planned for the future?
My charity, the ABC Foundation, incorporates health and fitness centres with a holistic community centre for children
JOHN AMAECHI:
from 4 through to 80! We encourage an environment in which
Several new projects are in the pipeline! Check out
youngsters can interact with trained, professional adults.
www.johnamaechi.com in the coming weeks.
When did you first realise you had a special talent for basketball?
BIG THINKING
I never thought I had a special talent. I got interested in basketball when I realised that I was treated like a commodity by team mates and members of the
MINT MAG:
MINT MAG:
basketball community. I was treated like someone
What qualities do you need to make a success of yourself?
And finally, what advice would you give to young people
with potential, something to offer. Before that, I had wandered around feeling just like a freak.
who may be thinking of starting a business?
JOHN AMAECHI: JOHN AMAECHI:
MINT MAG:
that a thorough knowledge of yourself gives you resilience
Plan first, know why you are going into the venture, and make
What do you miss now you’ve retired from the game?
against what life throws at you. Knowing who you are
sure it will be rewarding for you in the end, because the
informs you of your strengths and weaknesses, and directs
amount of work required to get there will leave some scars.
you to goals that will resonate with your true self.
I miss being in shape – world-class shape – but not much else.
MINT MAG: What achievements are you most proud of?
MINT MAG: Why did you decide to go into business once you
JOHN AMAECHI:
finished playing?
I’m proud of the fact that I have set out to achieve implausible things, like playing in the NBA despite a late
JOHN AMAECHI:
start and nearly cutting my hand off, writing a New York
My charity work and my education have been preparing
Times best-selling book and so on… and I’ve actually
me for this career since I was eight. This was the only
done them. I’m proud of my ability to complete the tasks
thing I knew would make me feel fulfilled for the rest
I set for myself.
of my life.
MINT MAG: MINT MAG:
What problems have you faced in business and
Can you briefly describe your business ventures?
how have you dealt with them?
www.animus-consulting.com www.amaechibasketball.com
10
That’s a huge question, but I believe fundamentally
JOHN AMAECHI:
BIG THINKING
JOHN AMAECHI:
“Plan first, know why you are going into the venture, and make sure it will be rewarding for you in the end.”
Mobile magic With a coffee shop on almost every corner, whatever happened to our national drink? When 25 year-old Natalie Haywood from Liverpool decided to knock the double espressos on the head, she realised there was nowhere in the city specialising in that most British of brews – the decent cuppa. Except that the cups of tea she had in mind weren’t the brick-red-fluid-in-a-chipped-mug type – she wanted something fresher, healthier, and rather more exotic. She was offered a bright urban space in central
Natalie didn’t look for too much advice – “I just had a
Liverpool – within the city’s Static Gallery – and opened
gut feeling that what I was doing was right,” she says.
Leaf in August this year. “We serve up everything from the classic English cuppa to Japanese blossoming tea that unfurls in your teapot of loose leaf teas usually found only in the coolest teahouses of Tokyo, New York or London.”
“If it’s something you really love, then it’s worth giving it a go.” Now that Leaf has taken root, Natalie hopes it will soon
that would allow people to easily browse mobile entertainment from their phone, and have a look at it before they paid for it.” The result was a product called Inflite, which can be used by anyone who sells mobile content across the airwaves. It can be branded their customers round the clock via their mobile. Iain describes the experience of setting up in business as a that they don’t have to do everything themselves.
be branching out – “We plan to open another five Leaf
a tasty blend of fine teas and organic food in relaxing,
where we’ll end up after that?”
already part of Liverpool’s late night buzz.
mobile content a few years ago. We decided to create a solution
roller-coaster ride and is keen to remind other young people
cafés in selected suburbs in Liverpool, and who knows
creative events, with its open mic comedy sessions
“The original idea came from the poor experience of trying to buy
and customised very easily, and it means businesses can reach
Barely three months into her adventure, she’s concocted bohemian surroundings. Leaf also hosts all kinds of
is where SnG, Iain Rosie’s Daresbury-based company, comes in.
“A common mistake is to spend too long on things you don’t enjoy and don’t have the skills for,” he says. “Build the strongest team you can – that way you share the risks and the rewards!”
So follow your instincts, and don’t let others pour cold water on your idea. And while you think about it… why not put the kettle on?
So if by chance you’ve still got Crazy Frog on your phone… thanks to Iain, you can easily find something a little less irritating. There’s plenty out there… so what are you waiting for? www.sng-tech.com
www.myspace.com/leafliverpool
12
right before your eyes. We also have a huge selection
In fact, the only problem is… actually getting hold of this stuff. Which
BIG THINKING
BIG THINKING
11
Time for tea
Crazy Frog may have given mobile downloads a bad name, but there are still loads of fun games, ring tones and other bits and bobs worth having on your phone. And as phones get more powerful, this kind of content gets better and better.
Iain describes the experience of setting up in business as a roller-coaster ride and is keen to remind other young people that they don’t have to do everything themselves.
Dressed for success
13
Child’s play When Imran Hakim’s brother dared him to better his niece’s first birthday gift, he couldn’t have imagined how things would turn out. Never one to turn down a challenge, the 29 year-old Bolton local put his thinking cap on and came up with iTeddy. BIG THINKING
iTeddy is an educational toy designed to help kids learn as they play. With downloadable cartoons, stories and online tutorials
turning a great idea into a viable business and believes it’s not just one thing but a combination of attributes that helps you get to the top: “You need the right motivation and confidence in your own ability,” he says.
“But above all, you need drive, determination and the energy to carry you through the tough times – there are always tough times!”
for basic computer skills, Imran saw this as the perfect way to introduce young children to emerging technologies. With a mounting portfolio of successful businesses under The next step was to pitch the toy on the Dragons’ Den. After winning
times. In fact, his future looks very bright with iTeddy set to be one of the biggest sellers this Christmas. Not bad when you consider it all started out as some harmless sibling rivalry.
Dragons, Imran realised he was really on to something. Now he’s got an exclusive deal with Argos, multi-national
“We launched with just a couple of sewing machines,
toy giants knocking
a laptop, a phone and a dream,” says Niki. “Originally we sold orders to exclusive outlets all over the country,
on his door,
but now we are mainly an online boutique offering a
orders totalling £5 million and a 2008 forecast
orders.
so maybe having that confident spirit to start the business came from us all being youthful,” says Niki. “It was simply a case of having the initial designs sampled up, hitting the road, and getting the brand into all the right stores. And kick-starting the PR machine!” She makes it sound so easy, but warns that there will be knock-backs for anyone starting a business. “Just don’t let the knock-backs become set-backs,” she adds.
“Keep your vision and stay positive. If you’re not excited about your brand then why should anyone else be?”
You can find out more about Imran
huge range of celebrity-worn and inspired dresses –
and his unbearably cute invention at
all designed and made in-house in Manchester.”
www.iteddy.co.uk
Niki has been wearing Gorgeous Couture outfits at a
At Mint, we call that good old fashioned advice
lot of star-spangled celebrity bashes recently – the
that doesn’t need any dressing up.
of around £20 million
“You’re more prepared to take risks when you’re young,
company has picked up a shelf-warping stack of awards, including the Manchester Evening News Young Business of the Year. So with all this success in mind – has it been an advantage being young?
www.gorgeouscouture.com
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over two of the surliest
his belt, it’s hard to believe Imran knows anything about tough
There’s nothing old fashioned about Niki Proctor’s business – except maybe her belief in what she calls “old fashioned hard work.” She launched her Gorgeous Couture fashion label with two colleagues in 2002 and since then her “work hard, play hard” philosophy has seen her clothes being snapped up by the likes of Myleene Klass, Charlotte Church and all of Girls Aloud!
BIG THINKING
An interactive teddy bear with a computer in its tummy, the
Imran obviously knows a thing or two about
Got an idea that you think could make you money? If you have, that’s great. It’s what Mint magazine is all about. But is your idea different? If you can do something differently, in a way that people like, you’ll be unique. You’ll be doing business, but with a twist that’s
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all your own. After all, being different can be a great way to be successful. And here’s an example to show you what we mean…
An idea that stuck
They had invented the Post-it Note. Until then, everyone
“Is anyone already doing something similar?”
had been happy with notes scribbled on paper that
If they are, can you offer a better way of doing it?
blew away when you opened the window. Now people
A new design, or a new way of selling it perhaps?
could mark pages in books, stick notes to their desk,
What can you do to make your idea different?
slap them all over their bedroom, attach them to the telephone, put them in their diary, or just write ‘KICK
“Is there a market for my idea?”
ME!’ and stick it on the back of their mate’s jacket.
Maybe you’ve had an incredible brainwave –
“Does my idea offer something completely new?” An all-new product or service could be just what people want – but how will you convince them if they’ve never seen anything like it before?
it in a notepad. Notepads had been around for years,
It was an idea with a twist, and it worked. Within a few
but do people really want it? The best thing to do is ask
and everyone knew what to do with them. They couldn’t
years, virtually everyone in the world was using them.
people. Quiz your friends, use the internet, or just get
really imagine a better place for scribbling ideas,
It was a notepad… but it was different.
out on the streets and find out!
The ‘Do It Differently’ test
So does your idea pass the ‘Do It Differently’ test?
Will your idea stick like a Post-it Note? Or will it float
If it does, good luck. If it doesn’t…
thoughts, phone numbers or anything else. When it came to writing notes, the good old notepad was king. But in 1977, a huge company called 3M launched
away on the breeze? Ask yourself these questions…
a new kind of notepad. It was a pad of paper – but each sheet had a sticky strip on the back. Now you could jot on the pages of a book. And because it was sticky, but not too sticky, you could peel it off again without
just stick at it!
An all-new product or service could be just what people
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down a note and stick it anywhere you wanted, including
“Does my idea offer something completely new?”
BIG THINKING
BIG THINKING
Once upon a time, if you had an idea you scribbled
want – but how will you convince them if they’ve never seen anything like it before?
tearing the page.
One of the best ways to learn is to have a go yourself, and that’s what Young Enterprise Northwest helps you do. By setting up a temporary business, you can really get your hands dirty – and find out what’s in store when you get your own idea off the ground!
www.youngenterprisenw.org
on the road Where will your big idea strike? It could be anywhere. Sitting on the bus, lying in bed, or scoffing your Shreddies in the morning.
Mind you, it could be a trip away from home that gives you the inspiration to set up a business of your own. That’s what happened to John Moores Uni student Matthew Johnson and his friend Ian Finch as they travelled through the States in 1997. Matt was 20 at the time, and it was during this trip that he realised that the internet had the power to transform business and communication. It wasn’t just hype – it really was going to happen.
How did you feel on the first day you opened for business? Excited! It was great getting the keys to our first office and having to quickly learn how to sell.
Who helped out with advice, and what problems did you encounter? We went to Business Link for some help, but friends and family were important too. As for problems, it was hard winning clients at first, and recruiting staff and then developing them can also be difficult.
What does the future hold for Mando Group?
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Our future lies in continuing to develop really strong When they returned to Liverpool, they used their student
relationships with our clients, and helping them get the
loans to set up a website development company, and ten
most out of new technology over the web – including
years later, Mando Group is delivering web and design
getting audio and video onto their websites.
What made you take those first steps?
Got any advice for other young people with a business idea?
I’d always wanted to work for myself so it was really
Believe in your idea, remember that cash is king,
a matter of finding the right idea and getting started.
listen to outside advice, and be realistic!
“I’d always wanted to work for myself so it was really a matter of finding the right idea and getting started.” And your career highlight so far?
Definitely. I didn’t have any ties and was able to live
for the north of England. I’m very proud of that.
cheaply, which helped to get the business established.
www.mandogroup.com
In 2000, I won the Young Entrepreneur of the Year
If you’re serious about your business idea, then don’t miss Startups, the seriously inspiring website. You’ll find sound advice covering everything from raising cash to setting up a website, from taking people on, to working from home. There’s even a section dedicated to young entrepreneurs. www.startups.co.uk
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Did you find it an advantage being young?
BIG THINKING
BIG THINKING
services to companies all over this country and abroad.
Kids
Wonder web
What do you do when you’re juggling a couple of kids with a full-time job, and can’t find the appropriate childcare facilities? You start your own, of course!
What have been the biggest obstacles?
Jennie Johnson discovered that the flexible, high quality childcare she needed just wasn’t there. But rather than
Got any advice for other young people with a business dream?
seeing this as an obstacle, she saw an opportunity.
“Go for it… but don’t try and do it all yourself. The first
At 31, she gave up a successful IT career to start a
call I made was to my now business partner as I knew
nursery of her own. So began the life of Kids Allowed.
I didn’t have the skills to do everything alone.”
“In a nutshell – finance. We had a vision, and we needed a lot of money to get it off the ground. We did it, but it took 18 months to raise the finance and secure the right investors. We’ve now got three centres with a new one opening in Knutsford in January.”
Excited by what was possible, he soon had a personal
“It’s important to nurture your business, even during
website online, and having made his own presence felt on
difficult times – and the early days can be very difficult.
the internet, he realised there was an opportunity to help
You have to be passionate as well as disciplined.
“A couple of months after Web Tapestry started, we were approached by a guy called Duncan Foster who wanted to invest some money and offer us a wealth of knowledge and advice. It’s been very useful over the years!”
Got any tips?
“It’s important to nurture your business, even during difficult times – and the early days can be very difficult. You have to be passionate as well as disciplined.” others take the leap into cyberspace too. Together with a
It’s also important to make sure you balance work and
colleague called Mike Reed, Ian launched Web Tapestry –
free time –in Axamba’s early days I’d find myself working
by the end of 1999 they were hosting 80 websites, and at
from 8am until midnight, which isn’t too healthy.
that point they decided to run the business full time.
And keep a very tight rein on the finances.”
Now Web Tapestry is part of a wider business called Axamba, delivering IT solutions with a commitment to reliability and great service round the clock. 20
Determined to do things differently, Jennie has created
Where did you go for advice?
Is it an advantage to be young?
centres that are purpose built, drenched in natural light,
“Most people in this business seem very young anyway –
stimulating, safe and secure. And most importantly,
but I did struggle to get people to respect me early on.
Kids Allowed centres give parents the services they
I remember going to buy a computer with my dad, and
really want and need – which is why she’s picking up
even when I asked the dealer a question, he would
awards left, right and centre.
actually respond to my dad. He was very taken aback when I took out the cheque book and signed it!”
How did you feel the first day that you opened for business? “Excited, nervous, proud and stressed!”
Who did you go to for advice? “We did lots of research, and I’ve always been happy to pick up the phone and ask for a quick meeting with successful business people who have already done
BIG THINKING
BIG THINKING
19
rule
OK
Back in the mists of 1998 – at the dawn of Google, and way before Bebo, Habbo and the rest – 21 year-old Ian Harris was getting to grips with the internet for the first time.
Take a look at the fresh Kids Allowed concept: www.kidsallowed.com
something I’d like to do.”
www.axamba.com
Meet the locals Travel may broaden the mind, but arriving in a new country for the first time can be a daunting experience. 23 year-old Sally Broom was one traveller who had a hair-raising time of it while backpacking between Cambodia and Laos, and the experience gave her the idea for a business – Your Safe Planet. Far and wide Your Safe Planet is based in Ulverston, Cumbria,
High velocity
but its huge network of contacts reaches right round the globe, and that’s what makes it special. By making use 21
of detailed local knowledge in some favourite backpacker destinations, travellers can benefit from the tips, advice and information that never get into the guide books. It’s like having a ready-made friend wherever you go – someone who’ll help you plan your journey, and who can let
BIG THINKING
deliberately targeted dance music venues, appearing at famous events like the Southport Weekender and sponsoring tours by big names like Trevor Nelson. So what qualities does Richard think you need to handle the highs and lows of business?
26 year-old Richard Baister from Newton Aycliffe noticed how much people would pay for the privilege of quaffing a cold fizzy drink with a high dose of
“Determination, the ability
“Once you have your nose to the grindstone, things go by in a blur!”
caffeine – even though, in his
to take a knock and carry on, enthusiasm, confidence and creativity,” he says. And then there’s the ability to work
BIG THINKING
you know where’s safe, where’s dodgy, and where to avoid…
Given that a steaming hot cappuccino is not the best way to keep yourself awake on a packed dancefloor, canned energy drinks have proved to be big business over the last few years.
hard too, as it seems the
opinion, they tended to taste rather… bleeeagh. As a
wide-awake world of energy drinks is a fast-moving one:
result he launched his own Velocity energy drink brand, designed to deliver a caffeine hit and taste good too.
“I haven’t stopped to notice the highlights yet –
Your Safe Planet is based in Ulverston, Cumbria, but its huge network of contacts reaches right round the globe.
by in a blur!”
Velocity has proved a big hit in clubs and bars in this country and beyond. In fact Richard and his team have
www.velocitydrinks.com
The travel bug Sally’s had itchy feet ever since she set off on her travels aged 14 – she journeyed through Central America, Africa and Asia, aiming to see a different side to the world and have a few crazy experiences along the way. She soon realised that knowing someone local made things much easier as she then had the freedom to explore far beyond the tourist traps. Your Safe Planet is now giving travellers exactly that kind of experience – and with a commitment to responsible tourism, Sally is determined to put something back into the communities that backpackers visit.
www.yoursafeplanet.co.uk
If you’re between 16-30 and you want to get your business idea off the ground, you must visit Shell LiveWIRE. Their website is crammed with essential advice, and you could even make it big in their Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
www.shell-livewire.org
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once you have your nose to the grindstone, things go With three flavours – two of which are sugar-free –
A tenner goes a long way What would you do with ten quid?
pany Nazanean Shirani set up a com called Kushions, selling comfy cushions in a range of bright fit colours. Having made £110 pro y to in a month, she used the mone nd make 30 pillows for Great Ormo
thma Hairdressing student Nicole Bo set up a hairdressing and nails r in service by investing her tenne end products and posters. By the profit of the month she’d made £182 iving which she’s using to pay for dr go lessons – so her business can er. mobile when her course is ov
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Street Hospital.
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It’s a big fat round of applaus e for Fazil a Dadab hoy from Lo ndon wh o won the indiv idual ca tegory by maki ng and s Simpson e lling Ho ’s favour mer ite dish She coo – ked up a doughnu ts. whoppin she don g £410 wh ated to v ich arious c (though harities not Weig ht Watch a few cli ers) – cks on a calculat she incr or revea eased h ls er £10 in by a hug vestmen e 4100% t .
The Make Your Mark with a Tenner competition gives thousands of young people the chance to turn ten quid into something more substantial. And with just one month to do it, their ideas show just how enterprising Britain’s young people can be. Here are some of the high achievers from last year’s competition.
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See a band maybe. Or get a haircut. Or go onto iTunes® and blow it on a few downloads. But if you’re wondering how you could turn your tenner into twenty, or a hundred, or even more, you’re already thinking like someone who wants to make a success of business.
tition, the e p m o c p ou ade In the gr Craftz m y a h t a C . f so sinesses u b member l a c o l o sell to and after , s r e origami t n n e t y led their aper, the p They poo f o t o l l ted n awfu hey dona t folding a h ic h w a. r £650 outh Afric S in made ove l o o h ndary sc to a seco
www.makeyourmarkwithatenner.org
Straight to the top
When the face fits What’s the first thing you do when you get on a computer? If you find yourself writing on walls, getting bitten by zombies and sending drinks to your mates, you’re one of the millions that have found a space on Facebook.
Finally, in September 2006, Facebook was opened
So next time a friend sends you a penguin or gives you a
That was Ultima Group, a design and technology outfit that
poke, remember that it’s because Mark Zuckerberg had a
found itself working for the likes of Nike. Not bad to say
Originally designed simply to help fellow students at
business idea that worked. Spectacularly. If your business
Vikas had never even been employed by anyone else –
the famous Harvard University to keep in touch, it soon
idea creates even a fraction of the buzz that his did, then
“My first business was actually my first job!” he says.
expanded to include schools and universities right across
you’ll definitely have something to tell your friends.
the States along with a handful of other countries too.
On Facebook, of course.
Cue Facebook mayhem! Now said to be worth several billion dollars, Mark must feel that setting up Facebook has been three and a half years well spent. You can even understand his decision to take time out from Harvard back in 2004 – and then drop
Facebook is this year’s essential social networking site,
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having been set up by Mark Zuckerberg just three and a half years ago. He was 19 at the time.
Clearly, Vikas knows what he’s talking about when it comes to launching a business when you’re young.
As if we need to tell you, you can find out more at www.facebook.com
“Don’t let fear get the better of you. If you want to do something, go for it. Business is a risk, but without taking a deep breath and moving forward you can’t succeed!”
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out completely.
Here’s a warning: running a business can be addictive. So much so that some people don’t just stop at one, or two, or even three. For instance, 26 year-old Vikas Shah from Manchester currently has four businesses at his fingertips – and none of those is the one he started first.
up to anyone in the world with an email address.
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“Sometimes people consider age to be an indicator of experience and skill,” he says, “but these are just challenges to fight against. There can be a great sense of achievement when you overcome them.”
Check out Vikas’s current business empire. Swiscot Textiles: www.swiscot.com It’s clear and easy to navigate, but that doesn’t mean the Business Link Northwest site is light on information. Quite the opposite in fact – this is the big daddy of business sites, with virtually everything you could need just a click away.
www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest
Linen Connect: www.linenconnect.com Charlotte Thomas: www.charlottethomas.co.uk
Vikas had bags of confidence when he started out and didn’t really seek out any special advice. “Initially I did most of the research myself,” he says, but adds that it can be useful to get some outside help. “There is often merit in talking to mentors and other advisers before you get started, particularly if you need to put in a lot of money to get moving.” So let’s ask the man himself – what advice would he give to young people starting out with a business idea? “Don’t let fear get the better of you. If you want to do
Equitas Recruitment: www.equitasrecruitment.com
something, go for it. Business is a risk, but without taking a deep breath and moving forward you can’t succeed!”
Name that tune Once, he was in a band. Then he trained as a concert pianist. It was odds-on that Richard Bodgers was going to make a career in music – and at the age of 23, he launched Theme…
MINT MAG: There must have been some problems along the way?
RICHARD: Cash flow can be a problem for any business. One month can be great, but then the next month it can be beans on toast for every meal!
MINT MAG: What’s Theme all about?
MINT MAG: So what’s next for Theme?
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RICHARD: Theme is my business – I compose music and
RICHARD:
soundtracks for film, TV, computer games, websites…
I think it’s time to concentrate on getting some
MINT MAG:
I’m also setting up an online music library so producers
What made you take your first steps?
and directors can easily get hold of lots of music.
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really big commissions and move into feature films.
“One month can be great, but the next can be beans on toast for every meal!” RICHARD:
MINT MAG:
I realised the music I composed was particularly
Got any advice for other young people with their
suitable for film and TV – and sometimes they pay
own business ideas? 28
rather more than you get from being in a band!
RICHARD: MINT MAG:
Great! But remember you’ll need to be determined
Who helped you out with advice?
and very well disciplined – just because you’re your own boss doesn’t mean you can lie in. At the beginning
RICHARD:
it can help to offer your services cheap – or even free.
I was awarded grants by both the South Manchester
But know when to start charging the going rate!
Business Enterprise Scheme and the Prince’s Youth Business Trust. That meant I could set up my first recording studio and afford to market myself.
Richard’s music appears on TV ads in your front room on a regular basis. Find out more at www.thememusic.net
Your future is a big thing to think about, but Connexions is there to help you with advice on all kinds of issues. Housing, health, relationships and money are all covered – and so are the ins and outs of setting up in business.
www.connexions.gov.uk
Are you an enterprising young Brit?
Jay Cousins was at university when he designed a range of cups and plates that are light as a feather and that fold away flat. Perfect for picnics, they hold food or liquid – and they’re now available in 30 countries under the name Orikaso. He’s even designed a plate that turns into a chess board when you fold it inside out. Now that really is flexible thinking. www.orikaso.com It’s easy to get your name in the paper with Rebecca-Jane Philipson’s help. Her company In The Paper – which she
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launched when she was 21 – produces personalised
Flick through this magazine and you’ll see the Make Your Mark name cropping up again and again. If you have even half an idea for a business it’s a name you need to remember, because they can give you some seriously helpful advice.
The Make Your Mark Enterprising Young Brits competition is aimed at people under 30 who have turned their idea into including a Teens’ competition for people aged 13-19. You’ve got a year to wait before entries have to be in for the next Enterprising Young Brits competition, so while some of last year’s winners and finalists for inspiration?
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people who can help, and no end of inspiring stories that will really make you want to get out there and do it.
www.inthepaper.co.uk
After going on a sailing course with friends, A-level student Tanya Budd realised that the devices that were meant to rescue people who fell overboard didn’t actually work very well. So she designed the HypoHoist
Plus, Make Your Mark runs competitions that turn the
for an A-level project… and it’s now on sale in the shops!
spotlight on young people who are making a go of it – and
Sounds like a watertight idea to us.
the prizes will come in really useful too.
www.hypohoist.co.uk
Pro-Active Sports was set up by Baljeet Singh and Rowland Egege in 2006. They realised that many primary schools didn’t have specialist PE teachers and so couldn’t deliver a full range of sports activities. Baljeet, Rowland and their team are qualified to coach all kinds of sports, so they step in and get the kids moving! www.proactive-sports.co.uk
Find out more at www.makeyourmark.org.uk
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website at www.makeyourmark.org.uk There you’ll find all kinds of useful advice, links to
Tesco in 2006, she’s really spreading the word.
a living, breathing business. There are several categories
you’re getting your idea under way, why not take a look at Your first port of call should be the Make Your Mark
tabloid gift newspapers, and after striking a deal with
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ISSUE 02 NOVEMBER 07
think it. do it. find out about young people with businesses of their own. could you be next?