Barclays Black Founder Accelerator 2021 member
EDUK8 Global
EDUK8 is a digital platform that prepares students for the world of work; with the skills needed for the workplace of the future.
Why did you join the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator?
EDUK8'S mission is to upskill 10 million students globally in five years. We need all the support, expertise and experience alongside us to reach this mission.
Why did you want to start your business?
I was a failure at school, I scraped through to university with 3 Es at A-level. I completed a Degree and Masters in E-commerce technologies. I spent 14 years at Bloomberg covering Europe, Middle East and Africa, training the 1% on finance related topics. Through all of those experiences, i realized the challenges I had with education was down to the way I liked to learn and not my IQ, level of intelligence or aptitude. This has been my passion since 2013 to help 13-18 year olds realise their potential by delivering education through difference formats to ensure all students are empowered and can make the right decisions for their future.
What would be your desired outcome from this programme?
I hope to develop relationships with and learn from mentors who have had the experience of building successful businesses and have exited their business to pursue new ventures.
Which entrepreneur inspires you the most and why?
Tomi Davies inspires me the most. He is a father figure to entrepreneurs across Africa. He made a name for himself , successfully building businesses across the UK. Yet amongst all of his success he still makes time to help others.
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
I am a co-founder of 2 businesses and successfully starting both companies during covid has been a big win. Turning the ideas into reality and getting customers to sign during this time has been a massive success. As customers tend to stick to brands or not spend money at all especially during one of the most unprecedented times in our generation.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Trying to survive with no salary for 2 years during covid and running 2 businesses.
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
My peers , who are also entrepreneurs albeit at different stages. the camaraderie encouragement helped me not to give up.
What drives you to make your business a success?
To see lives changed, to see young people similar to me become a success.
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
- Take the risk and start!
- Be clear on your strengths and quickly identify the areas you need support in.
- Be confident allowing others to revel in their strengths.