YOUNG
CEOMONTHLY 1
ISSUE 7 | FREE
WHO IS KBD? INTERVIEW WITH
Tori
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EDITORIAL
editor@youngceomonthly.com Produced by: CEO Monthly Publications Design: GB Designs
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Foreword 3
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elcome to the 7th Edition of Young CEO Monthly, the magazine that aims to bring young known and especially un-known business owners from the age of 16-30 to the attention of the public. It’s now only 3 months to the end of 2015 and I would like to ask you one question. What action(s) / step(s) are you going to take to make sure that 2015 doesn’t end the same as 2014? Talking about taking action(s) / step(s), in this month’s edition we would like to introduce you to a young woman who through her creative mind and hard work decided to take the actions and steps required to making her dream(s) a reality.
Young CEO Monthly is published by CEO Monthly Publications. Opinions and views expressed do not necessarily reflect CEOMP policy. CEOMP accepts no responsibilty for views expressed by contributors. Advertisements and reader offers are not endorsed by CEOMP.
We hope that her story will inspire you to go on an entrepreneurial journey and above all you’ll share it with your colleagues, friends and family.
George Boateng Editor
Quote
of the
Month
“Most people’s greatest regret is not living the life they knew they could live.” Todd Stocker
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Content Page 3 – Foreword Page 4 – Cover Story Page 8 – Business Advice of the Month Page 9 – CEO/Company Profile Page 10 – Classifieds Page11 – Reflections
4 Cover Story
WHO IS KBD?
Tori (29)
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hat inspired you to start your business and when did you start it?
I honestly couldn’t tell you what inspired me to start me own business, I think I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit in me.
off work for my birthday and I vowed that every day of that time off I would do at least one creative thing. In that time I drafted &
I started customising my trainers and clothes at 16 when I started college because I wanted to be an individual. I soon got requests from my friends to customise their own garments too, which I did just for the sheer love if it and eventually it became a something I was known for and eventually people would pay me for it. I guess that’s when I 1st started on my journey. I moved onto customised dancers costumes and also Roller Skates when I started skating in 2008. Fast forward to 2011 I decided to get a job (Retail) to fund my creative passion. I loved my job. I got a promotion after a year and I loved my position even more, but I found myself drifting away from my creativity and more engrossed in my 9 to 5, I would come home from work be too tired to be creative, eventually I stopped completely. The summer of 2013 I took three weeks
Adot Comedian, Tori & Jazzie in KBD garments sewed my 1st ever garment from scratch. I purchased my 1st ever DSLR camera and had my 1st paid shoot. In those three weeks I completely fell head over heels back
5 my skates “KBD’d” - “Tori are you going to KBD it?” and so on. What was your background before starting your business(s)?
in love with my creative side and found myself exploring new passions. I handed in my notice (to my day job) and didn’t go back. I couldn’t even imagine going back to “work” the thought of it brought me to tears, as much as I loved my job, I discovered and rediscovered things that I would do even if no one paid me for it and that is what I was made to do, create & inspire. A month later I registered as selfemployed that was official on 1st August 2013.
Well I have always been creative in one way or another. I left college at 18 with an advanced AVCE in performing arts and opted out of University (as I felt it wasn’t for me) and became a qualified Dance and Drama Tutor while working for a youth Arts centre called “Second Wave” and running my own dance company called “Ecology”, while doing all of this
How did you come up with the name for your business? Haahaa ok so the name of my business has had many names along the way from the age of 16 to now. It started as “Tori Designs” then someone described what I do as “bespoke” which I loved because it fit so well so it became NBD (NoTORIous Bespoke Designs) because I didn’t want my name in it to be so obvious... but my Father then pointed out that Notorious may not come across as a positive as
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I work hard and I take the upmost pride in everything and anything I do period.
”
it usually used to describe things that are bad or negative. I remember saying that I want a word that will make people get to know me… that sparked me onto changing the letters around a bit and play on the 1st word, changing it to from “NoTORIous” to “KnowTORIous” (KNOW – TORI) so it became “KBD” which stands for “KnowTORIous Bespoke Designs” and it seemed to stick! Its even become its own word (amongst those that know me) “I got
Fuse ODG in KBD on set with Sean Paul I still customised EVERYTHING, spraying, painting and sewing clothes, footwear, phones, bags etc. Then I worked for a clothing company called AVIT for a while as head designer. What do you find to be the best thing about the industry your business is in? My business crosses over to a few industries (Bespoke Garments, Photography & Film) so what I like about these industries and the reason why they can work together, even though initially it may not seem so is, they are ever changing and flexible (baring the core basic underlining rules of each trade). There is no right way to be a designer or photographer or videographer. It’s down to the individual and I love that. It’s completely creative & expressive.
6 What three areas do you focus most on in your business? I don’t think I have 3 specifically, but being as creative as I possibly can be and trying to expand my influences and what I take in. Everything else is secondary. It’s stated with my passion for being seen for whom I am and helping other people celebrate their individuality as well. What makes us individuals, are our passions and I believe that’s what needs to be at the heart of my business always. What is your work ethic like? I think it’s great! Haahaaa! I don’t really know how to answer that question… I work hard and I take the upmost pride in everything and anything I do, period. So when it comes to business I put the work in. I’m known to be a perfectionist (so much more then I let on to be honest) Hhaha!. It’s a blessing and curse I guess!
CEO Dancers in KBD bottoms on set How did you fund your start-up? It was and still is self-funded. If an investor wanted to invest in your business what would they be investing in? KBD is first and foremost a creative company. Our Mission is to not only to recognise individuality, but to celebrate it through Film, Bespoke Fashion and Photography. We tailor that as much as possible to every single client we have. We aim for everyone to either Wear your Originality and/or capture your passion.
Tori Scuba Diving in Turkey What would you consider your main achievement so far in your business and personal life? That’s hard there have been loads. The most relevant business wise is that I’ve been self-employed for just over two years now which an achievement in itself. In that time I’ve made garments for Fuse ODG which featured in his video with Sean Paul “Dangerous Love”. KBD garments have also been featured on CEO Dancers, sold on ASOS Market place online, Showcased at Supermalt’s first UK Fashion Showcase. I’ve styled and made KBD garments for Adot Comedian and Jazzie (UK Actor from Anova Hood) for a music video they we were all in for Troy Hudson (“Head Over Heels”). KBD was originally two separate businesses, Bespoke Garments & Live Event photography (KBD Original & KBD Picz). We’ve now successfully fused them into one and added film and early this year I had the pleasure to film Abroad with Dionne Reid (UK Artist) in Bulgaria & France, Cannes at the Google Festival. I’ve also filmed Fekky (UK Grime Artist) and Omarion (American RnB Artist). As a photographer I’ve had the pleasure to shoot Jasmine Sullivan (American RnB Singer) and I’ve been published in three UK newspapers (the Sun, the Express & the Daily Star). Personally I’ve sung with Rough Copy on X Factor twice as there backing vocals alongside UGCY choir including the LIVE
7 semi-finals. Also I’m currently vlogging on Youtube. A challenge that I set myself in Aoril of this year, to try and actively “Fear Less” for a year and see what happens. So far I’ve shaved my hair off, scuba dived in Turkey, sung (Backing vocals) for Dionne Reid at the Google Festival in Cannes. My “FEAR LESS YEAR” aka “FLY” journey will hit 6 months on 12th October 2015 and to mark this I’ll be jumping out a plane – (skydiving) for a charity called “Centre Point”, which I hold very close to my heart. I won’t bore you with the details I could talk all day, it’s all on my channel! (www. youtube.com/frealessyeartori) Where do you see yourself and your business in 10 years’ time? In 2025 KBD will be a recognised Brand name internationally, covering all aspects of creativity and I guess I will take on
KBD Always
whatever else comes with that! What is your #1 advice to another young person thinking about starting their own business? Plan, Plan & Plan - Set yourself a clear plan it may just be things you want to achieve and how you need to go about it and a time in which to get it done, it’s very important to set a date. You may not reach it and that’s ok but there needs to be something to aim for specifically when you want to get there. Your plan will eventually turn into your business plan. Which is also key, not just for your business and potential investors but its vital for you to know these things and as clearly as possible in order to effectively achieve them and learn things along the way. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to start small and build.
KBD Always
KBD Always
8 Business Advice of the Month
9 Success Habits of Wealthy People That Cost Nothing by John Rampton | Entrepreneur and Connector
Have you ever you wondered how certain people have gotten so successful? Here are nine habits that have helped place them on the top: 1. They meditate. Oprah, Rupert Murdoch, Russell Simmons, Arianna Huffington, Bill Ford and Padmasree Warrior have all attributed mediation as a huge component to their success. Taking care of your body and mind by relaxing, exercising, healthy eating and getting enough sleep are all ways to improve your chances of success. 2. They wake up early. President Obama, Richard Branson, Jack Dorsey, Larry Schultz, Tim Cook and Xerox CEO Ursula Burns are known to be early risers. How has this attributed to their success? Because early risers are able to start their days ahead of everyone else by responding to others, exercising and finding some personal time, early risers also tend to be happier and are more proactive. 3. They network. Successful people realize the importance of networking. In fact, research has found that networking can lead to people performing better at work and increases the chance of landing a job. Networking helps our successful people be more innovative. Successful people rarely complain or criticize. They are sincere and try to be empathetic. 4. Keep themselves busy. Successful people are rarely idle. Achievers like LBJ and Robert Moses were known to work 60-65 hours per work. Elon Musk works a whooping 80-100 hours per week and has said, “That’s the type of work ethic an entrepreneur needs to have.” 5. They know when to say “no.” “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost
everything.” - Warren Buffett Successful people realize that by saying “no” to negativity, extra work and activities that waste time, they can focus on increasing their productivity. If they say “yes” to everyone or everything, they’ll be too distracted and will not accomplish tasks that have to be done. 6. They don’t watch TV, they read. According to Thomas Corley, author of “Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits Of Wealthy Individuals,” 67% of rich people only watch TV for one hour or less per day. Corley also found only 6% of the wealthy watch reality shows, while 78%of the poor do. Additionally, 86% of the wealthy love to read with an impressive 88% claiming that they read for self-improvement for 30 minutes or more per day. 7. They write to-do lists the night before. Successful people are known for writing their to-do-lists the night before so that they are able to set priorities for the following day. They number their lists as well to identify which tasks are the most important. 8. They set goals and visualize. Joel Brown interviewed a number of high achievers for Entrepreneur and found that “95% of the successful achievers I have interviewed practice writing down their goals, plans, or visions for success on a regular basis.” Successful people do this the night before, or first thing in the morning so that they are prepared to tackle the challenges that await them.’’ 9. They manage their money. Successful people have gotten where they are because they were able to manage their finances well. This means that they invest their money wisely, look for new opportunities and set aside emergency funds. They are more generous and willing to donate to those who need help. Adapted from entrepreneur.com
Business / CEO Profile 9
The Man of Steel
L
akshmi Niwas Mittal About this sound pronunciation (help·info); (born 15 June 1950) is an Indian steel magnate, based in the United Kingdom. He is the chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steelmaking company. Mittal owns 38% of ArcelorMittal and holds a 34% stake in Queens Park Rangers F.C. Born on April 15, 1950, in Sadulpur, Rajasthan, India, Mittal studied at Shri Daulatram Nopany Vidyalaya from 1957 to 1964. He graduated from St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta, with a B.Com degree from the University of Calcutta. His father, Mohan Lal Mittal, ran a steel business, Nippon Denro Ispat. He started his career from working for his father’s steel business, which was known by the name of Nippon Denro Ispat. In 1976, due to the curb of steel production by Indian government, the 26-yearold Mittal opened his first steel factory PT Ispat Indo in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia. Until the 1990s, the family’s main assets in India were a cold-rolling mill for sheet steels in Nagpur and an alloy steels plant near Pune. Today, the family business, including a large integrated steel plant near Mumbai, is run by Pramod and Vinod, but Lakshmi has no connection with it. Today his company has a production capacity of 42.1 million tons of steel, and one of every 5 cars use steel produced by his company which skyrocketed Lakshmi Niwas Mittal net worth. On 20 December 2007 it was announced that the Mittal family had purchased a 20 percent shareholding in Queens Park Rangers football club joining Flavio Briatore and Mittal’s friend Bernie Ecclestone. Mittal has been a member of the board of directors of Goldman Sachs since 2008, and is also member of the board of directors of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). His daughter Vanisha Mittal got married to an investment banker Amit Bhatia, in what has been recorded as the second most expensive wedding ever in history. The extravaganza lasted for a week. In 2008 the Mittals made a donation of £15 million to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, the largest private contribution the hospital had ever received. The donation was used to help fund their new facility, the Mittal Children’s Medical Centre. His philanthropic efforts include setting up the Mittal Champions Trust to help the best of athletes in India win more Olympic medals. Mittal’s personal weatlh today stands at £6.5 Billion | $9.8 Billion | €8.7 Billion. (Forbes)
10 Classified
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Time To Reflect 11
Good is the enemy of best by Victor Azubuike | pensivevictor.blogspot.com
T
he day you tell yourself that you are satisfied with the GOOD life that you have, it is the day things might start falling apart!
You are ‘content’ with what you have in your life, your grades are ‘good’ but there not the best grades that you feel you can achieve, your job is ‘good’ but not your dream / ideal job, your business is ‘good’ but it’s not the one you had in mind when you first had your vision and so on. But if you are always striving for the BEST, you will never fall into the just being average, on the contrary…. you and everything around will grow everyday! Change your mindset from ‘Good’ to ‘Best’ and watch your thoughts become your actions and your life will never be the same again. Wish you all the ‘BEST’.
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