It was great to be a part of the Dream Entrepreneurs week (20 to 24 February) with other partner organisations and the Centre for Leadership Performance. This was to support a new team-based activity, funded by Sellafield Ltd, within Dream Placement 2023, which challenged 16- to 18-year-olds to become entrepreneurs and discover what would encourage them to create their own businesses.
It was humbling for me to share my own journey, from having started The ISO Specialists almost 3 years ago now, through the tough parts and on to showcase the successes. In preparing for my presentation, it made me stop and think about how I have got where I am and the choices I made along the way.
I recognised the same concerns and questions some of the students had about their futures, as being the same concerns and questions I had at their age. I didn’t know for certain what I wanted to do when I was 16, and I certainly didn’t aspire to having my own business. I shared that my path to get here has not been straight, in fact it has been a very winding road, that sometimes has gone backwards! I shared that it is okay not to know or be certain, because they will figure it out, and make those choices as they are presented to them.
It’s only in looking back that I can see the path that has brought me here and how each choice I made whether right or wrong, has contributed in its own way. I know the amazing students I met have fantastic careers ahead of them and it was a privilege to meet them at this stage of their own journeys.
I would encourage anyone wishing to get involved in this amazing initiative next year, to contact the Centre for Leadership Performance.
Angie