Mentoring the Next Generation

I’ve been fortunate during my time working for Esteem in Hull in that they have given me great opportunities and fantastic support while setting up Ginger Sky Ltd. One of these opportunities is sharing my experiences with the next generation of entrepreneurs through Young Enterprise.

Young Enterprise are a business and enterprise charity helping over 200,000 young people every year in the UK. Their mission is to “inspire and equip young people to learn and succeed through enterprise.” By focussing on learning by doing Young Enterprise are able to offer an alternative method of preparing the UK’s youth for the world of business.

 

As one of more than 5,000 volunteers nationwide, I visit Archbishop Sentamu Academy (@SentamuAcademy) every week and meet with a team of year 12’s (ages 16-17). I share my experiences, not just in setting up Ginger Sky, but also of the wider world of business, encouraging the sixth form students to develop their business. For me, talking through ideas for how to run a business helps me generate new ideas and organise my own company. For the students, having the opportunity to speak to myself and the other volunteers gives them ideas and the confidence to go out and follow their vision.

The year 12’s have done this brilliantly so far and, going under the name of Animus, have set up pop-up stalls selling their handcrafted bags. Just this past weekend they had a successful stall at the White Rose Centre in Leeds and sold bags aimed at Easter and Mother’s Day shoppers. With other stalls planned and taking advantage of their position within a school, selling during fairs and open days, they are learning what it takes to set up and run an active business. By giving students this opportunity, the Young Enterprise initiative have provided them with hands-on experience, not to mention their own fledgling company.

For more details on when and where you can find Animus stalls, follow them on Twitter (@Animus12_asa) where they will also be announcing the launch of their own website shortly. If you’re interested in learning more about Young Enterprise, or maybe thinking about sharing your own experiences, then please visit their website http://www.young-enterprise.org.uk/.