Oli Watts is the Network of Networks Manager for Enterprise Insight which means his job is to help and provide opportunities for budding young entrepreneurs. If you have an idea but need help in realizing it no matter how big or small then you need to read on as Oli gives us all the information we need to know about becoming the next big entrepreneur.
What is Enterprise Insight all about?
Enterprise Insight runs the national Make Your Mark Campaign, which aims to make young people all across the country more enterprising. Each year we run Enterprise Week, which worked with about 500,000 young people in 2006, through thousands of different partners and organisations.
Enterprise is all about having an idea and making it happen, and we think that skill is important whether you are running your own business, still at school, or working for someone else.
What is your role within the organisation?
My role is to work as part of our networks team. Making an idea happen is impossible on your own, you need to get connected to other people to share your enthusiasm, passion and get support. I manage something called the Network of Networks, which aims to link together people with good connections all around the country.
What is the country like at the moment compared with others for young entrepreneurs?
Good question! I think that at the moment we are on the upward slope, there is a lot of talent, good ideas and also money out there, all that is needed is a bit of enterprising spirit, which is where we come in.
What are the key attributes you need to be a good entrepreneur?
1) Enthusiasm
2) Positivity
I think more than anything you need these two things. You need to keep the fire alive when everyone else is throwing water on it, and you need to always be able to look for the positive outcome from every situation.
Who are some of your favourite entrepreneurs?
My favourites would be James Dyson for sheer persistence, he created over 5000 prototypes before getting even close to his final vacuum cleaner, and Steve Jobs, just because he's got the magic sparkle whatever he does, from Apple to Pixar to Disney.
What opportunities are there for young entrepreneurs at the moment?
Lots! They can get involved with us at the campaign (www.starttakingideas.org) they can get funding for ideas from places like the Big Boost and YouthBank, they can join a networking group to share their ideas (www.makeyourmarkconnect.org).
Can you tell us a bit about some up and coming young entrepreneurs that we should be looking out for at the moment?
The best young entrepreneurs that we know of are all part of our Make Your Mark Connectors group. Its an exclusive group consisting of the best connected young people across the UK. Its one to watch, and you can do so here:
http://www.starttalkingideas.org/next_steps/
networks/make_your_mark_connectors
What advice would you give to any budding young entrepreneurs?
Keep your idea on fire, and keep focused!
