good morning everyone and by show of hands how many people in the room under
hands how many people in the room under
hands how many people in the room under age 25 amazing um so about 95 percent of
age 25 amazing um so about 95 percent of
age 25 amazing um so about 95 percent of us in this room over on age 25 so I’m
us in this room over on age 25 so I’m
us in this room over on age 25 so I’m I’m 22 now the host Riley showed you and
I’m 22 now the host Riley showed you and
I’m 22 now the host Riley showed you and and told you I started business when I
and told you I started business when I
and told you I started business when I was age 12 and over the last 10 years I
was age 12 and over the last 10 years I
was age 12 and over the last 10 years I have learned a few things and I’ve also
have learned a few things and I’ve also
have learned a few things and I’ve also run away from a few things so the title
run away from a few things so the title
run away from a few things so the title of my talk today is dreams and obstacles
of my talk today is dreams and obstacles
of my talk today is dreams and obstacles I suppose a great place to start in
I suppose a great place to start in
I suppose a great place to start in sharing my story because we’re here to
sharing my story because we’re here to
sharing my story because we’re here to tell stories right a great place to
tell stories right a great place to
tell stories right a great place to start is I was a kid who aged 10 11 12
start is I was a kid who aged 10 11 12
start is I was a kid who aged 10 11 12 used to dream vividly about what I
used to dream vividly about what I
used to dream vividly about what I wanted to do and every other week I
wanted to do and every other week I
wanted to do and every other week I should tell my parents different things
should tell my parents different things
should tell my parents different things I was thinking depending on what I was
I was thinking depending on what I was
I was thinking depending on what I was watching on TV so there was one time I
watching on TV so there was one time I
watching on TV so there was one time I wanted to be a football manager there
wanted to be a football manager there
wanted to be a football manager there was one time I wanted to be an astronaut
was one time I wanted to be an astronaut
was one time I wanted to be an astronaut there was one time I wanted to be a
there was one time I wanted to be a
there was one time I wanted to be a hotel manager can I go a show her hands
hotel manager can I go a show her hands
hotel manager can I go a show her hands in the room if anyone’s had the same
in the room if anyone’s had the same
in the room if anyone’s had the same experiences between age 10 and 12 cool
experiences between age 10 and 12 cool
experiences between age 10 and 12 cool that’s what a 50% of you now the story
that’s what a 50% of you now the story
that’s what a 50% of you now the story I’m about to tell you and the tips I’m
I’m about to tell you and the tips I’m
I’m about to tell you and the tips I’m about to give you are going to be things
about to give you are going to be things
about to give you are going to be things that I think are really important for
that I think are really important for
that I think are really important for people our age and in our generation to
people our age and in our generation to
people our age and in our generation to take forward yesterday whilst being at
take forward yesterday whilst being at
take forward yesterday whilst being at the speaker dinner I realized that a lot
the speaker dinner I realized that a lot
the speaker dinner I realized that a lot of the students here and I starting to
of the students here and I starting to
of the students here and I starting to think about what they want to do when
think about what they want to do when
think about what they want to do when they graduate next summer and the year
they graduate next summer and the year
they graduate next summer and the year after that and I think it’s quite timely
after that and I think it’s quite timely
after that and I think it’s quite timely to actually share some stories that I’ve
to actually share some stories that I’ve
to actually share some stories that I’ve actually heard myself and maybe end up
actually heard myself and maybe end up
actually heard myself and maybe end up with some tips if you guys don’t mind so
with some tips if you guys don’t mind so
with some tips if you guys don’t mind so I’m gonna need you guys to participate
I’m gonna need you guys to participate
I’m gonna need you guys to participate with me when I call upon it so I’m gonna
with me when I call upon it so I’m gonna
with me when I call upon it so I’m gonna split this room in half and this side of
split this room in half and this side of
split this room in half and this side of the room is gonna be team a and this
the room is gonna be team a and this
the room is gonna be team a and this side of the room is gonna be team B
side of the room is gonna be team B
side of the room is gonna be team B there’s no prize for participating
there’s no prize for participating
there’s no prize for participating except for my smile but I’m gonna need
except for my smile but I’m gonna need
except for my smile but I’m gonna need to play with me before I get started I
to play with me before I get started I
to play with me before I get started I like for you guys to turn to the person
like for you guys to turn to the person
like for you guys to turn to the person next to you on your right and smile at
next to you on your right and smile at
next to you on your right and smile at them and say hi
that’s that felt that felt nice right I
that’s that felt that felt nice right I felt very comfortable now I want you to
felt very comfortable now I want you to
felt very comfortable now I want you to look at the person on your left and this
look at the person on your left and this
look at the person on your left and this time you ain’t going to smile I want you
time you ain’t going to smile I want you
time you ain’t going to smile I want you to look at them with the coldest
to look at them with the coldest
to look at them with the coldest expression you can virtually have and I
expression you can virtually have and I
expression you can virtually have and I want to I want you to tell them no you
want to I want you to tell them no you
want to I want you to tell them no you can’t sit next to me come on
all right now I don’t know how that felt
all right now I don’t know how that felt for some of you guys in the room but for
for some of you guys in the room but for
for some of you guys in the room but for me those two emotions that I just made
me those two emotions that I just made
me those two emotions that I just made you guys give out to the person on the
you guys give out to the person on the
you guys give out to the person on the right in person the left were things
right in person the left were things
right in person the left were things that I had to deal with a lot between
that I had to deal with a lot between
that I had to deal with a lot between age of 12 and 14 and depending on where
age of 12 and 14 and depending on where
age of 12 and 14 and depending on where you are from and depending on what kind
you are from and depending on what kind
you are from and depending on what kind of parenting you had how you react to
of parenting you had how you react to
of parenting you had how you react to someone telling you no you can’t sit
someone telling you no you can’t sit
someone telling you no you can’t sit next to them and no you can’t come into
next to them and no you can’t come into
next to them and no you can’t come into this establishment plays a massive part
this establishment plays a massive part
this establishment plays a massive part as whoever you go and ascertain your
as whoever you go and ascertain your
as whoever you go and ascertain your dream and when someone does give you a
dream and when someone does give you a
dream and when someone does give you a big smile especially in day and age we
big smile especially in day and age we
big smile especially in day and age we live today you start to wonder whether
live today you start to wonder whether
live today you start to wonder whether they actually mean it generally or
they actually mean it generally or
they actually mean it generally or whether they want something now I’m a
whether they want something now I’m a
whether they want something now I’m a young person who grew up in East London
young person who grew up in East London
young person who grew up in East London obviously we’re in Switzerland today but
obviously we’re in Switzerland today but
obviously we’re in Switzerland today but in East London
in East London
in East London my parents had emigrated in their 30s my
my parents had emigrated in their 30s my
my parents had emigrated in their 30s my mom was 40 and my dad was very free and
mom was 40 and my dad was very free and
mom was 40 and my dad was very free and when they both had me they weren’t
when they both had me they weren’t
when they both had me they weren’t Londoners or British by any any any
Londoners or British by any any any
Londoners or British by any any any means and when I grew up actually learnt
means and when I grew up actually learnt
means and when I grew up actually learnt to speak the language French before I
to speak the language French before I
to speak the language French before I spoke the language English so going into
spoke the language English so going into
spoke the language English so going into school one of the first obstacles I
school one of the first obstacles I
school one of the first obstacles I faced quite clearly aged 2 3 4 years old
faced quite clearly aged 2 3 4 years old
faced quite clearly aged 2 3 4 years old was speech therapy I used to stutter
was speech therapy I used to stutter
was speech therapy I used to stutter when I spoke English and that was a
when I spoke English and that was a
when I spoke English and that was a massive barrier to me being able to
massive barrier to me being able to
massive barrier to me being able to communicate with my other friends in
communicate with my other friends in
communicate with my other friends in class even though I was born in the
class even though I was born in the
class even though I was born in the country and growing up now I’ve realized
country and growing up now I’ve realized
country and growing up now I’ve realized that there’s many first generation
that there’s many first generation
that there’s many first generation children whose parents had emigrated in
children whose parents had emigrated in
children whose parents had emigrated in the country who hadn’t had the
the country who hadn’t had the
the country who hadn’t had the opportunity to actually mingle with kids
opportunity to actually mingle with kids
opportunity to actually mingle with kids their own age from the local
their own age from the local
their own age from the local neighborhood and when they entered a
neighborhood and when they entered a
neighborhood and when they entered a school establishment there’s normally
school establishment there’s normally
school establishment there’s normally this barrier that they get faced with
this barrier that they get faced with
this barrier that they get faced with and the way I overcame it was by
and the way I overcame it was by
and the way I overcame it was by speaking really fast if I started to
speaking really fast if I started to
speaking really fast if I started to speak the way I normally speak you guys
speak the way I normally speak you guys
speak the way I normally speak you guys might not be able to understand me
might not be able to understand me
might not be able to understand me because my English to me quite fast like
because my English to me quite fast like
because my English to me quite fast like right now but that was something that
right now but that was something that
right now but that was something that really played up with me when I was a
really played up with me when I was a
really played up with me when I was a young person and it often led to me
young person and it often led to me
young person and it often led to me being in trouble because I’d be in class
being in trouble because I’d be in class
being in trouble because I’d be in class and I could understand what the teacher
and I could understand what the teacher
and I could understand what the teacher was saying at times or I wanted to try
was saying at times or I wanted to try
was saying at times or I wanted to try to be cool and started to play gay
to be cool and started to play gay
to be cool and started to play gay and it wasn’t the time to play games and
and it wasn’t the time to play games and
and it wasn’t the time to play games and not understanding where you are and how
not understanding where you are and how
not understanding where you are and how to communicate was a barrier for me and
to communicate was a barrier for me and
to communicate was a barrier for me and I know it’s been about for many people
I know it’s been about for many people
I know it’s been about for many people that I’ve been around moving forward 10
that I’ve been around moving forward 10
that I’ve been around moving forward 10 years so from age two to age 12 by the
years so from age two to age 12 by the
years so from age two to age 12 by the time I was in the second year of
time I was in the second year of
time I was in the second year of secondary school I had been excluded
secondary school I had been excluded
secondary school I had been excluded from my class over 40 times and one I
from my class over 40 times and one I
from my class over 40 times and one I cannot make here now I had a couple of
cannot make here now I had a couple of
cannot make here now I had a couple of grasps being excluded 40 times in an
grasps being excluded 40 times in an
grasps being excluded 40 times in an academic year is not a fun feat at all
academic year is not a fun feat at all
academic year is not a fun feat at all it is something that disturbs your
it is something that disturbs your
it is something that disturbs your progress it disturbs your attitude and
progress it disturbs your attitude and
progress it disturbs your attitude and aptitude to learn and it definitely
aptitude to learn and it definitely
aptitude to learn and it definitely disturbs your ability to reach those
disturbs your ability to reach those
disturbs your ability to reach those dreams especially for me who kept on
dreams especially for me who kept on
dreams especially for me who kept on having these wild dreams that were just
having these wild dreams that were just
having these wild dreams that were just not attainable if I wasn’t in class to
not attainable if I wasn’t in class to
not attainable if I wasn’t in class to move it forward
move it forward
move it forward it wasn’t until I sat down and I was
it wasn’t until I sat down and I was
it wasn’t until I sat down and I was excluded from class for three months and
excluded from class for three months and
excluded from class for three months and put in a detention center and I was left
put in a detention center and I was left
put in a detention center and I was left to my own devices to read books that I
to my own devices to read books that I
to my own devices to read books that I realized that if I kept going the way I
realized that if I kept going the way I
realized that if I kept going the way I was going there was going to be no end
was going there was going to be no end
was going there was going to be no end in sight for me in actually achieving
in sight for me in actually achieving
in sight for me in actually achieving the dreams I wanted to achieve being in
the dreams I wanted to achieve being in
the dreams I wanted to achieve being in such an environment is something that
such an environment is something that
such an environment is something that many naughty kids across Europe across
many naughty kids across Europe across
many naughty kids across Europe across the world have probably faced can I get
the world have probably faced can I get
the world have probably faced can I get a whoop or show hands for people who’ve
a whoop or show hands for people who’ve
a whoop or show hands for people who’ve been have ever been no illness in this
been have ever been no illness in this
been have ever been no illness in this room yeah I’ve got some people there
room yeah I’ve got some people there
room yeah I’ve got some people there some people there that’s not a good
some people there that’s not a good
some people there that’s not a good finger however this is a reality that
finger however this is a reality that
finger however this is a reality that many teenagers face when they sometimes
many teenagers face when they sometimes
many teenagers face when they sometimes don’t have the right role models in
don’t have the right role models in
don’t have the right role models in their environment I was the first child
their environment I was the first child
their environment I was the first child so I didn’t have a big brother or big
so I didn’t have a big brother or big
so I didn’t have a big brother or big sister to tell me BJ get in line you
sister to tell me BJ get in line you
sister to tell me BJ get in line you need to fix up often times when I got in
need to fix up often times when I got in
need to fix up often times when I got in trouble I went back home to my parents
trouble I went back home to my parents
trouble I went back home to my parents and they’ve turned me off I knew the
and they’ve turned me off I knew the
and they’ve turned me off I knew the moment where I messed up but I couldn’t
moment where I messed up but I couldn’t
moment where I messed up but I couldn’t obviously fix that because I’d really
obviously fix that because I’d really
obviously fix that because I’d really made a mistake but being able to sit at
made a mistake but being able to sit at
made a mistake but being able to sit at home and watch TV shows and read books
home and watch TV shows and read books
home and watch TV shows and read books whilst on detention
whilst on detention
whilst on detention I had an epiphany age 12 which is quite
I had an epiphany age 12 which is quite
I had an epiphany age 12 which is quite weird but it maybe was my greatest dream
weird but it maybe was my greatest dream
weird but it maybe was my greatest dream at the time and that PIFAN II was if I
at the time and that PIFAN II was if I
at the time and that PIFAN II was if I kept going the way I was going I was
kept going the way I was going I was
kept going the way I was going I was going to end
going to end
going to end up in only one or two places I have a
up in only one or two places I have a
up in only one or two places I have a dead or in prison London in 2007 when I
dead or in prison London in 2007 when I
dead or in prison London in 2007 when I was age 12 was the first time the knife
was age 12 was the first time the knife
was age 12 was the first time the knife crime became a reality by mass crime I
crime became a reality by mass crime I
crime became a reality by mass crime I mean we’re talking about young men
mean we’re talking about young men
mean we’re talking about young men mainly VME so black minorities and aged
mainly VME so black minorities and aged
mainly VME so black minorities and aged women are E’s stabbing each other at
women are E’s stabbing each other at
women are E’s stabbing each other at school in the area based on the area
school in the area based on the area
school in the area based on the area code that they’re from i luckily wasn’t
code that they’re from i luckily wasn’t
code that they’re from i luckily wasn’t allowed in class so i didn’t get
allowed in class so i didn’t get
allowed in class so i didn’t get involved in any arguments at the time
involved in any arguments at the time
involved in any arguments at the time that led to me being involved in that
that led to me being involved in that
that led to me being involved in that but by the time i was integrated back
but by the time i was integrated back
but by the time i was integrated back into class i already had over five cases
into class i already had over five cases
into class i already had over five cases of friends who had been stabbed and over
of friends who had been stabbed and over
of friends who had been stabbed and over four friends had been indicted to go and
four friends had been indicted to go and
four friends had been indicted to go and serve junior sentences that’s a reality
serve junior sentences that’s a reality
serve junior sentences that’s a reality shock being age 12 and realizing that
shock being age 12 and realizing that
shock being age 12 and realizing that slotted game no more you don’t come to
slotted game no more you don’t come to
slotted game no more you don’t come to school to sit down laugh and make jokes
school to sit down laugh and make jokes
school to sit down laugh and make jokes you actually have to be serious that was
you actually have to be serious that was
you actually have to be serious that was something that was actually something
something that was actually something
something that was actually something that really hit me and i understood at
that really hit me and i understood at
that really hit me and i understood at that point that I needed to pick a dream
that point that I needed to pick a dream
that point that I needed to pick a dream of mine one of these dreams I kept
of mine one of these dreams I kept
of mine one of these dreams I kept having and make it really the dream I
having and make it really the dream I
having and make it really the dream I chose to choose and to follow was being
chose to choose and to follow was being
chose to choose and to follow was being a businessman at a time in England we
a businessman at a time in England we
a businessman at a time in England we had the apprentice Maga Kaluga was a
had the apprentice Maga Kaluga was a
had the apprentice Maga Kaluga was a host and watching it every week when my
host and watching it every week when my
host and watching it every week when my dad and my cousin was quite inspiring
dad and my cousin was quite inspiring
dad and my cousin was quite inspiring because of watching many people from
because of watching many people from
because of watching many people from different races achieving goals weekly
different races achieving goals weekly
different races achieving goals weekly and the winner of the Prentiss was young
and the winner of the Prentiss was young
and the winner of the Prentiss was young black man called tim campbell at a time
black man called tim campbell at a time
black man called tim campbell at a time and to see someone like me on TV made me
and to see someone like me on TV made me
and to see someone like me on TV made me have hope that could be that person one
have hope that could be that person one
have hope that could be that person one day especially coming from a place where
day especially coming from a place where
day especially coming from a place where as I mentioned my parents had emigrated
as I mentioned my parents had emigrated
as I mentioned my parents had emigrated the country so I didn’t have any cousins
the country so I didn’t have any cousins
the country so I didn’t have any cousins or family members who’d been successful
or family members who’d been successful
or family members who’d been successful in their careers in the UK next steps
in their careers in the UK next steps
in their careers in the UK next steps for me with back epiphany I had and the
for me with back epiphany I had and the
for me with back epiphany I had and the stuff I learned from my TV show was to
stuff I learned from my TV show was to
stuff I learned from my TV show was to try to find someone to make it happen I
try to find someone to make it happen I
try to find someone to make it happen I decided to go to my local youth club my
decided to go to my local youth club my
decided to go to my local youth club my youth club is kind of like my Italian
youth club is kind of like my Italian
youth club is kind of like my Italian Chocolate Factory moment it’s an
Chocolate Factory moment it’s an
Chocolate Factory moment it’s an establishment in East London it has a
establishment in East London it has a
establishment in East London it has a music and fashion event a fashion venue
music and fashion event a fashion venue
music and fashion event a fashion venue it has a large auditorium
it has a large auditorium
it has a large auditorium kind of like this where people do plays
kind of like this where people do plays
kind of like this where people do plays and to keep myself out of trouble I
and to keep myself out of trouble I
and to keep myself out of trouble I would go there Monday to Friday after
would go there Monday to Friday after
would go there Monday to Friday after school and do music on Mondays and
school and do music on Mondays and
school and do music on Mondays and Tuesday learn how to cut and so on
Tuesday learn how to cut and so on
Tuesday learn how to cut and so on Wednesdays on Thursdays and on Friday
Wednesdays on Thursdays and on Friday
Wednesdays on Thursdays and on Friday learn how to act and play hence why I’m
learn how to act and play hence why I’m
learn how to act and play hence why I’m here sat and ready to talk to you and
here sat and ready to talk to you and
here sat and ready to talk to you and playing around and you all understand it
playing around and you all understand it
playing around and you all understand it because I’ve been on the stage for many
because I’ve been on the stage for many
because I’ve been on the stage for many times I understand when you get people’s
times I understand when you get people’s
times I understand when you get people’s attention you need to just perform but
attention you need to just perform but
attention you need to just perform but being in that environment really made me
being in that environment really made me
being in that environment really made me not have an option to get attention no
not have an option to get attention no
not have an option to get attention no more cause out of purpose I taught me to
more cause out of purpose I taught me to
more cause out of purpose I taught me to be there’s a few things that happen to
be there’s a few things that happen to
be there’s a few things that happen to me that I want to share with you that
me that I want to share with you that
me that I want to share with you that made me take my dreams forever and as a
made me take my dreams forever and as a
made me take my dreams forever and as a few obstacles that I’ve faced the first
few obstacles that I’ve faced the first
few obstacles that I’ve faced the first element of my dream that I achieved was
element of my dream that I achieved was
element of my dream that I achieved was building a first play and talent show
building a first play and talent show
building a first play and talent show with my local friend Christian we were
with my local friend Christian we were
with my local friend Christian we were age 12 13 we sold out a venue of over
age 12 13 we sold out a venue of over
age 12 13 we sold out a venue of over 300 attendees and we put on a talent
300 attendees and we put on a talent
300 attendees and we put on a talent show where over 20 acts performed and
show where over 20 acts performed and
show where over 20 acts performed and that was a penny drop moment when I
that was a penny drop moment when I
that was a penny drop moment when I realized that you can have an idea of
realized that you can have an idea of
realized that you can have an idea of putting on a play and a talent show you
putting on a play and a talent show you
putting on a play and a talent show you have to then organize the team you have
have to then organize the team you have
have to then organize the team you have to then put a plan together get
to then put a plan together get
to then put a plan together get permission make sure the event runs
permission make sure the event runs
permission make sure the event runs correct have merchandise in place and
correct have merchandise in place and
correct have merchandise in place and then turn up on the actual day kind of
then turn up on the actual day kind of
then turn up on the actual day kind of like how your peers are doing today and
like how your peers are doing today and
like how your peers are doing today and running this event and actually deliver
running this event and actually deliver
running this event and actually deliver and the penny drops and I realized
and the penny drops and I realized
and the penny drops and I realized anything I put my mind to I could
anything I put my mind to I could
anything I put my mind to I could actually achieve and that was quite a a
actually achieve and that was quite a a
actually achieve and that was quite a a big moment for me as a twelve-year-old
big moment for me as a twelve-year-old
big moment for me as a twelve-year-old to experience the fact that we could
to experience the fact that we could
to experience the fact that we could actually create something and people
actually create something and people
actually create something and people will turn up and pay money to come and
will turn up and pay money to come and
will turn up and pay money to come and see us do a project was amazing for me
see us do a project was amazing for me
see us do a project was amazing for me the next project I took on after that
the next project I took on after that
the next project I took on after that was age 13 and that was working with the
was age 13 and that was working with the
was age 13 and that was working with the local council to approach the young
local council to approach the young
local council to approach the young mayor to release some funds to help
mayor to release some funds to help
mayor to release some funds to help improve the derelict studio space and
improve the derelict studio space and
improve the derelict studio space and rehearsal space we had the place that we
rehearsal space we had the place that we
rehearsal space we had the place that we rehearsed was nice and fun but there
rehearsed was nice and fun but there
rehearsed was nice and fun but there were definitely rooms that needed to be
were definitely rooms that needed to be
were definitely rooms that needed to be improved we raised thirty five thousand
improved we raised thirty five thousand
improved we raised thirty five thousand pounds to rebuild a studio and the
pounds to rebuild a studio and the
pounds to rebuild a studio and the dressing rooms now I don’t know about
dressing rooms now I don’t know about
dressing rooms now I don’t know about you guys but for me as a 13 year old
you guys but for me as a 13 year old
you guys but for me as a 13 year old that was a another big moment where I
that was a another big moment where I
that was a another big moment where I realized if you can put together the
realized if you can put together the
realized if you can put together the right plan there are people out there in
right plan there are people out there in
right plan there are people out there in the world who will financially support
the world who will financially support
the world who will financially support you but it only happens if
you but it only happens if
you but it only happens if put a plan together so this was all
put a plan together so this was all
put a plan together so this was all happening and it’s exciting and back at
happening and it’s exciting and back at
happening and it’s exciting and back at school I’m finally working hard and age
school I’m finally working hard and age
school I’m finally working hard and age fourteen I take all my GCC’s so
fourteen I take all my GCC’s so
fourteen I take all my GCC’s so decencies are where we condense our
decencies are where we condense our
decencies are where we condense our subjects and we start to choose subjects
subjects and we start to choose subjects
subjects and we start to choose subjects we want we want to put we want to
we want we want to put we want to
we want we want to put we want to specialize in
specialize in
specialize in I decided to choose Business Studies
I decided to choose Business Studies
I decided to choose Business Studies history drama and French history drama
history drama and French history drama
history drama and French history drama and French were amazing great I liked it
and French were amazing great I liked it
and French were amazing great I liked it I enjoyed it but with Business Studies
I enjoyed it but with Business Studies
I enjoyed it but with Business Studies in particular I thought it was going to
in particular I thought it was going to
in particular I thought it was going to be a little bit more special especially
be a little bit more special especially
be a little bit more special especially since I’ve done all these things outside
since I’ve done all these things outside
since I’ve done all these things outside of school for the last two years twelve
of school for the last two years twelve
of school for the last two years twelve fourteen in putting on the shows and
fourteen in putting on the shows and
fourteen in putting on the shows and bidding for funds and winning it I
bidding for funds and winning it I
bidding for funds and winning it I thought that in business class you know
thought that in business class you know
thought that in business class you know we’re gonna have some talks and we’re
we’re gonna have some talks and we’re
we’re gonna have some talks and we’re gonna be able to make some cash and
gonna be able to make some cash and
gonna be able to make some cash and we’re gonna be able to do some branding
we’re gonna be able to do some branding
we’re gonna be able to do some branding and logos make some websites do some
and logos make some websites do some
and logos make some websites do some films and really have some fun but that
films and really have some fun but that
films and really have some fun but that wasn’t the reality I know you guys
wasn’t the reality I know you guys
wasn’t the reality I know you guys laughing could immerse your business
laughing could immerse your business
laughing could immerse your business students right so in my business class
students right so in my business class
students right so in my business class what I had faced was an environment
what I had faced was an environment
what I had faced was an environment where we had a lecturer and they would
where we had a lecturer and they would
where we had a lecturer and they would give us a program but it was no tangible
give us a program but it was no tangible
give us a program but it was no tangible real life projects for us to get
real life projects for us to get
real life projects for us to get involved in now this frustrated me and I
involved in now this frustrated me and I
involved in now this frustrated me and I had another epiphany at the time and it
had another epiphany at the time and it
had another epiphany at the time and it was the fact that in schools in England
was the fact that in schools in England
was the fact that in schools in England in particular my school at break times
in particular my school at break times
in particular my school at break times just before lunch
just before lunch
just before lunch people don’t get snacks anymore at break
people don’t get snacks anymore at break
people don’t get snacks anymore at break there’s only water and a couple of
there’s only water and a couple of
there’s only water and a couple of little flapjacks but there’s a black
little flapjacks but there’s a black
little flapjacks but there’s a black market that was underlined in the
market that was underlined in the
market that was underlined in the environment where certain kids in the
environment where certain kids in the
environment where certain kids in the school would come into school with their
school would come into school with their
school would come into school with their backpacks namely the older kids were 16
backpacks namely the older kids were 16
backpacks namely the older kids were 16 15 and they will have chocolate sweets
15 and they will have chocolate sweets
15 and they will have chocolate sweets drinks in their backpack and they’ll
drinks in their backpack and they’ll
drinks in their backpack and they’ll give it to the young eleven and twelve
give it to the young eleven and twelve
give it to the young eleven and twelve year olds and they will leave school
year olds and they will leave school
year olds and they will leave school with 10 20 30 50 100 pounds sometimes
with 10 20 30 50 100 pounds sometimes
with 10 20 30 50 100 pounds sometimes but I figured caught by a teacher I got
but I figured caught by a teacher I got
but I figured caught by a teacher I got confiscated and they were putting
confiscated and they were putting
confiscated and they were putting attention so it’s kind of like a black
attention so it’s kind of like a black
attention so it’s kind of like a black market it’s not meant to happen and I
market it’s not meant to happen and I
market it’s not meant to happen and I realized that is potentially a market I
realized that is potentially a market I
realized that is potentially a market I would like to delve in in school but I
would like to delve in in school but I
would like to delve in in school but I wouldn’t want to be in a black market
wouldn’t want to be in a black market
wouldn’t want to be in a black market especially since I’m doing so good
especially since I’m doing so good
especially since I’m doing so good outside of school so I try to convince
outside of school so I try to convince
outside of school so I try to convince my head teacher free occasions the Ben
my head teacher free occasions the Ben
my head teacher free occasions the Ben it’s of having the school official
it’s of having the school official
it’s of having the school official tuckshop an environment where me and my
tuckshop an environment where me and my
tuckshop an environment where me and my other business students could actually
other business students could actually
other business students could actually run our own shop and be able to earn
run our own shop and be able to earn
run our own shop and be able to earn money whilst learning about cashflow
money whilst learning about cashflow
money whilst learning about cashflow learning about his melia product
learning about his melia product
learning about his melia product especially as winter was coming up
especially as winter was coming up
especially as winter was coming up learning about team management and
learning about team management and
learning about team management and budgeting in a real life way and as only
budgeting in a real life way and as only
budgeting in a real life way and as only when I started to use the business
when I started to use the business
when I started to use the business terminology I was learning that they
terminology I was learning that they
terminology I was learning that they gave me the green light to go ahead so
gave me the green light to go ahead so
gave me the green light to go ahead so we set up a shop and I didn’t have that
we set up a shop and I didn’t have that
we set up a shop and I didn’t have that market so we can clap for that it’s kind
market so we can clap for that it’s kind
market so we can clap for that it’s kind of a good thing and as soon as I set up
of a good thing and as soon as I set up
of a good thing and as soon as I set up the shop I had to put processes in place
the shop I had to put processes in place
the shop I had to put processes in place to actually make sure that I ran
to actually make sure that I ran
to actually make sure that I ran efficiently and the results that we got
efficiently and the results that we got
efficiently and the results that we got were quite profound for the age of your
were quite profound for the age of your
were quite profound for the age of your app so we would make 100 to 300 pounds a
app so we would make 100 to 300 pounds a
app so we would make 100 to 300 pounds a day from selling cookies and sweets by
day from selling cookies and sweets by
day from selling cookies and sweets by the time we ended academic year and we
the time we ended academic year and we
the time we ended academic year and we were 14 we made over 15,000 pounds and
were 14 we made over 15,000 pounds and
were 14 we made over 15,000 pounds and that was another moment where I realized
that was another moment where I realized
that was another moment where I realized actually sometimes you can be in
actually sometimes you can be in
actually sometimes you can be in situations where you don’t understand
situations where you don’t understand
situations where you don’t understand how you’re going to learn and move
how you’re going to learn and move
how you’re going to learn and move things forward but it’s not only until
things forward but it’s not only until
things forward but it’s not only until you take action yourself that you
you take action yourself that you
you take action yourself that you actually realize the potential and you
actually realize the potential and you
actually realize the potential and you can actually do things and that help you
can actually do things and that help you
can actually do things and that help you to New York your course forward
to New York your course forward
to New York your course forward I totally younger year the following
I totally younger year the following
I totally younger year the following year how to run their own shop and the
year how to run their own shop and the
year how to run their own shop and the smile on their faces when they were a
smile on their faces when they were a
smile on their faces when they were a making money but be learning about
making money but be learning about
making money but be learning about business in a fun dynamic way or
business in a fun dynamic way or
business in a fun dynamic way or something that was absolutely priceless
something that was absolutely priceless
something that was absolutely priceless to me
to me
to me by the time I reach 18 I decided to have
by the time I reach 18 I decided to have
by the time I reach 18 I decided to have grown that shop project into a national
grown that shop project into a national
grown that shop project into a national franchise and at 18 I had worked over
franchise and at 18 I had worked over
franchise and at 18 I had worked over 5,000 students in over 100 schools and
5,000 students in over 100 schools and
5,000 students in over 100 schools and put them out all her to run her own
put them out all her to run her own
put them out all her to run her own shops as a way to learn our business in
shops as a way to learn our business in
shops as a way to learn our business in a more dynamic way now age 22 the last
a more dynamic way now age 22 the last
a more dynamic way now age 22 the last four years I’ve done a multitude of
four years I’ve done a multitude of
four years I’ve done a multitude of things that have gone away from the
things that have gone away from the
things that have gone away from the touch of experience and it’s led to me
touch of experience and it’s led to me
touch of experience and it’s led to me creating the UK’s first pop-up market
creating the UK’s first pop-up market
creating the UK’s first pop-up market teaching young people how to run their
teaching young people how to run their
teaching young people how to run their own stores outside of school has led to
own stores outside of school has led to
own stores outside of school has led to me working with the United Nations on a
me working with the United Nations on a
me working with the United Nations on a live project that required me to talk
live project that required me to talk
live project that required me to talk with nine cities at the same time and
with nine cities at the same time and
with nine cities at the same time and learn how to do partnerships and I now
learn how to do partnerships and I now
learn how to do partnerships and I now run an agency where I get to the
run an agency where I get to the
run an agency where I get to the Marketing activity with brands globally
Marketing activity with brands globally
Marketing activity with brands globally and working of influence as an Instagram
and working of influence as an Instagram
and working of influence as an Instagram on YouTube now there’s been a few things
on YouTube now there’s been a few things
on YouTube now there’s been a few things that have happened across those eight
that have happened across those eight
that have happened across those eight years from 16 to 22 or 14 to 22 that I
years from 16 to 22 or 14 to 22 that I
years from 16 to 22 or 14 to 22 that I haven’t told you yet and this is where
haven’t told you yet and this is where
haven’t told you yet and this is where I’m going to need you guys to
I’m going to need you guys to
I’m going to need you guys to participate Group A and Group B now I
participate Group A and Group B now I
participate Group A and Group B now I realized that there’s a few things you
realized that there’s a few things you
realized that there’s a few things you can do when you’re operating the fields
can do when you’re operating the fields
can do when you’re operating the fields and your young person the first thing
and your young person the first thing
and your young person the first thing you’re going to come up against is the
you’re going to come up against is the
you’re going to come up against is the obstacles not being taken seriously I’m
obstacles not being taken seriously I’m
obstacles not being taken seriously I’m sure a lot of us in the room have
sure a lot of us in the room have
sure a lot of us in the room have probably read or seen the video that’s
probably read or seen the video that’s
probably read or seen the video that’s gone viral that were a generation of
gone viral that were a generation of
gone viral that were a generation of entitled young people we’re generation
entitled young people we’re generation
entitled young people we’re generation of people who expect everything now
of people who expect everything now
of people who expect everything now we’re Instagram generation we want to be
we’re Instagram generation we want to be
we’re Instagram generation we want to be seen and not do the hard work I know
seen and not do the hard work I know
seen and not do the hard work I know that I’m not an anomaly I know that
that I’m not an anomaly I know that
that I’m not an anomaly I know that there are other young people who’ve done
there are other young people who’ve done
there are other young people who’ve done amazing work just like myself and I felt
amazing work just like myself and I felt
amazing work just like myself and I felt in particular with doing this talk
in particular with doing this talk
in particular with doing this talk especially as the rooms full of business
especially as the rooms full of business
especially as the rooms full of business students what would the gems from my
students what would the gems from my
students what would the gems from my business journey be that would actually
business journey be that would actually
business journey be that would actually enable you next summer and moving
enable you next summer and moving
enable you next summer and moving forward to actually move forward to
forward to actually move forward to
forward to actually move forward to write progress and what I have actually
write progress and what I have actually
write progress and what I have actually brought this down to is two things from
brought this down to is two things from
brought this down to is two things from the story that I’ve said I’ve always had
the story that I’ve said I’ve always had
the story that I’ve said I’ve always had this kind of penny drop moment in a
this kind of penny drop moment in a
this kind of penny drop moment in a moment when a penny drops and I realized
moment when a penny drops and I realized
moment when a penny drops and I realized aha this is what I need to do and
aha this is what I need to do and
aha this is what I need to do and sometimes a penny drops and I don’t push
sometimes a penny drops and I don’t push
sometimes a penny drops and I don’t push forward with it and it’s like all be jet
forward with it and it’s like all be jet
forward with it and it’s like all be jet you should have done that you know and
you should have done that you know and
you should have done that you know and there’s a few things I want to share
there’s a few things I want to share
there’s a few things I want to share with you that sit in both sides now from
with you that sit in both sides now from
with you that sit in both sides now from a side I want you guys to do are can we
a side I want you guys to do are can we
a side I want you guys to do are can we try R and B can I get all so
try R and B can I get all so
try R and B can I get all so when I started my businesses and I’ve
when I started my businesses and I’ve
when I started my businesses and I’ve done projects and I haven’t researched
done projects and I haven’t researched
done projects and I haven’t researched and I’ve gone to present and I’ve made a
and I’ve gone to present and I’ve made a
and I’ve gone to present and I’ve made a mistake I realized that it was a however
mistake I realized that it was a however
mistake I realized that it was a however when I have prepared and I’ve been on
when I have prepared and I’ve been on
when I have prepared and I’ve been on point I’ve made a plan I’ve had her and
point I’ve made a plan I’ve had her and
point I’ve made a plan I’ve had her and I’ve smashed what I tried to do there’s
I’ve smashed what I tried to do there’s
I’ve smashed what I tried to do there’s been times when I have tried to hire
been times when I have tried to hire
been times when I have tried to hire people who are my friends and I haven’t
people who are my friends and I haven’t
people who are my friends and I haven’t set the boundaries because I think
set the boundaries because I think
set the boundaries because I think they’re going to do whatever they want
they’re going to do whatever they want
they’re going to do whatever they want to do and I’ve had a however when I plan
to do and I’ve had a however when I plan
to do and I’ve had a however when I plan and I make the right steps and hire the
and I make the right steps and hire the
and I make the right steps and hire the right talent I have a certain Beach and
right talent I have a certain Beach and
right talent I have a certain Beach and I think you guys can do what I’m gonna
I think you guys can do what I’m gonna
I think you guys can do what I’m gonna do I’m wishing you guys the best of luck
do I’m wishing you guys the best of luck
do I’m wishing you guys the best of luck next time when you graduate and the
next time when you graduate and the
next time when you graduate and the following year and I hope I’ve been able
following year and I hope I’ve been able
following year and I hope I’ve been able to inspire one of you guys with the
to inspire one of you guys with the
to inspire one of you guys with the stories of how to make it happen the
stories of how to make it happen the
stories of how to make it happen the main thing I want to say is that moment
main thing I want to say is that moment
main thing I want to say is that moment when the penny drops and whatever you’re
when the penny drops and whatever you’re
when the penny drops and whatever you’re trying to do just make sure you make a
trying to do just make sure you make a
trying to do just make sure you make a plan take baby steps keep consistent
plan take baby steps keep consistent
plan take baby steps keep consistent that’s the most important thing I’ve
that’s the most important thing I’ve
that’s the most important thing I’ve learned and understand that no one’s out
learned and understand that no one’s out
learned and understand that no one’s out here to hurt you and you’re the only
here to hurt you and you’re the only
here to hurt you and you’re the only champion for yourself and the momentum
champion for yourself and the momentum
champion for yourself and the momentum will build as you build thank you
will build as you build thank you
will build as you build thank you [Applause]
”
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