Emma walker is founder of Enterprise Days, a previous candidate on the hit BBC1 series Junior Apprentice (2010). Also a Speaker and youth enterprise ambassador. Having turned down a university education she now runs her own business. She reveals a bit more about herself with us.
How would you describe yourself? Tell me about yourself.
I would describe myself as a very passionate person. I don’t do things by halves and I very much have the attitude that anything in life can be changed if you put your mind to it. I would also say I’m very kind, caring and generous person. I love people and creating a positive change, yet at the same time, I know my stuff and stand my ground when it comes to business.
What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
My greatest weakness is also my greatest strength. I am deadly honest. I say things as they are which can sometimes offend people even though I mean it with the best of intentions. At the same time, my honesty allows me to see situations and people for what they really are and deal with them appropriately.
What’s one of the hardest decisions you’ve ever had to make?
I wouldn’t say I’ve had any really hard decisions to make as I don’t get phased by things. I decide quickly and I stick to it. However, my decision to leave education and commit to business full time was probably the biggest decision I’ve ever had to make. I have always wanted to run a business yet never felt ready. When I did, I swiftly left college (decided while in France, returned home and left college the next morning. Less than 24 hours) and it felt the right thing to do. I trust my instinct massively and it helps me make decisions.
What do you see yourself doing five years from now? Ten years from now? What piece of advice would you give to young people today?
I have no idea. And it’s not bad for other young people to also be unaware of their future plans either. It would be boring to know! I do know that I will be in business, and I also know things will be a lot bigger then. But what ‘things’ are, I have no idea. My advice to other young people is to listen to your instincts and be brave. I have been told countless times by those older and more successful than me that I can’t do X and I’m mad to consider doing Y. The world contains 7 billion people all trying to make their mark. Be brave, be different and trust yourself otherwise you’ll just be another face in the huge crowd that is the world.
Do you have a role model? If any, who & why?
My Mum is my role model! She’s the strongest woman I know and it incredibly instinctive when it comes to business. I have learnt a hell of a lot more from her than any famous face through a television screen. I would suggest finding a role model in several people who are around you. Parents, teachers, friends, siblings, employers. See how they operate that little bit better than everyone else in a specific area (don’t become them, just see how they work) and learn from it.
What/who inspired you to choose the career path you’ve chosen?
Any teenager in business who tells you that their idol as a kid was Richard Branson or Alan Sugar is a liar. I didn’t even know who they were till mid teens. For me, it was Willie Wonka. I watched the film at 6 and I became obsessed with wanting a chocolate factory. So much so, that I prices up my entire room and started selling stuff to friends and family. It was the beginning of business for me, and has lead me to where I am now. I recently bought the DVD as my VHS version is very warn now. Was only £3, bargain!
What has been your most memorable achievement?
My most memorable achievement was winning National Ambassador of the Year for the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy. I wasn’t even nominated! I applied for the award, along with most other students and didn’t hear anything back. I found out my house mate had been nominated and demanded he gave me the address (it’s fair to say I wasn’t very happy with the decision!) and took myself down to Phones International uninvited and managed to convince Peter to let me pitch. It took guts and a £70 train ticket. But it paid off when my name was called out at graduation. Peter called me ‘the girl with the balls’. I did get one guy say to me ‘but girls cant have balls’. My response: ‘mine are up here *taps head*’.
Do you think there is a gap in the market for Enterprise Days services?
Of course there’s a gap in the market for Enterprise Days! Why would I have launched it otherwise? There are many enterprise education providers in the UK, and after research I found that they were too expensive for schools to afford. Plus, the challenges being run were unrealistic and not engaging enough for students. We have a network of fully trained young entrepreneurs throughout the UK who provide the days. The benefits to this are increased engagement due to the age of the entrepreneurs and cut costs due to less travel which we can pass on to schools. All the days are completely realistic and could even be run as an actual business.
Who are the team members at Enterprise Days?
Myself and one other run Enterprise Days. However, with the network, there are many young entrepreneurs who work really hard to make the day as engaging and as rewarding as possible.
What are your plans for 2012 (personal & professional)?
I have some very exciting plans for 2012, some of which I can not yet say too much about! However, for Enterprise Days, I am hoping we can continue our hard work, grow and expand to more schools. We will soon be launching the new website which will have some exciting new services from us also. Personally, I want a hobby this year! In my spare time, I always used to do business. Now, business is my full time and it would be nice to have something else that I enjoy.
Why have you chosen not to go to university?
I would have been an idiot to go to uni. Anyone who think that getting into thousands of pounds worth of debt to sit in a lecture hall for 3 years, being preached to by a man or woman who have never run a business themselves will help them succeed more than getting out and doing it is also an idiot. We live in a world where knowledge comes free and easy. Business isn’t overly difficult, and everything can be learnt. Buy a book, google it, ask someone. Personally, university just didn’t help me get to where I wanted in life. It may have perhaps even inhibited it. Just know, I have nothing against those who go to university. I think it’s a great thing! But for business people, I can’t see the benefits at all.
Visit Emma’s website enterprisedays.com