Member Article

Future entreprenuers given billionaire advice

The next generation of entrepreneurs has been given an insight into how to achieve success with a blend of bluff, tenacity and dogged determination. Self-made billionaire Sir Tom Hunter, who founded his fortune on shell-suits and trainers, told hundreds of budding businessmen and women that if he could do it they could do it. Sir Tom was keynote speaker at the Entrepreneurs Forum’s What Drives a Serial Entrepreneur event, held in association with the SoYouWantToBeAnEntrepreneur Graduate Conference.

Sir Tom told the audience: “The first thing you need is tenacity. There are no shortcuts - I have never met an entrepreneur who doesn’t work very hard.”

Sir Tom was among a host of speakers at the conference designed to stimulate the region’s young minds, with graduates from all five of the region’s universities invited. It was facilitated by Caspar Berry, founder of Twenty First Century Media, author and professional poker advisor to the James Bond film Casino Royale.

He said: “The conference was designed to give people an insight into what it is like to be an entrepreneur; what it means, the good, the bad, the challenges that will have to be overcome and the information to get going.”

Delegates also heard from former Navy radar operator Stephen Bales, co-founder of software developer Platform One, which provides solutions for online traders across the UK including Amazon and eBay.

He said: “In the early days of business it felt like carrying around two suitcases full of bricks. But it is exhilarating, a real buzz and I enjoy every single day that I go to work. It is just something I feel compelled to do.”

For more information on the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, visit www.entrerpreneursforum.net.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .