Giving Back
My wife and I are patrons of the Prince’s Trust and I’m part of the Alumni group who have come full circle and I was the first member of the Alumni to give back – It goes without saying I’m incredibly proud to be part of the journey.
It’s an honour to be a part of the Trust because it’s one of those organisations that really does a fantastic job in helping people at grass roots – if I can be a part of relocating somebody of the streets and into a job or their own business then I’m up for it at all costs.
In 1990; six months into my first business I was struggling with my cash flow and I turned to the bank manager and, well, you can guess the answer. Can you imagine a spotty eighteen year-old asking the bank manager for money to develop his technology business…? It was hard enough just opening a business account at the age of 18 in the first place!
I think about this now and again when I’m asked to invest into a new digital start-ups in an evolving industry that seems to change weekly.
I’m not an traditional venture capitalist; I invest in people as well as the idea; businesses pivot and change so it’s critical you back people who can cope with getting their hands dirty not just the folks who think about the glory post sale!
Looking back I cannot blame the bank or manager but they lost the opportunity to forge a business relationship with me for the rest of my career. They couldn’t see past my age, but the Prince’s Trust did.
Over the past 30 years I’ve built many businesses, sold two for north of $150m and employed hundreds and thousands of people and in turn, generated hundreds of millions for the British economy.
Six months into my first year in business aged 18 (selling IBM compatible computers); I received a loan of £5000.00 from the Trust and managed to generate sales of £56,000, hitting £126,000 in year two at the giddy age of 19.
I then went on to a 30-year career in business employing hundreds and thousands of people in organisations that I started or co-founded.
In addition to the loan I received some brilliant but not always welcome mentorship from a couple of great folks from the Trust. The tried desperately to help me and I owe them both huge thanks.
Mike ended up being my Best Man and John became a lifelong friend.
I’ve come full circle and I’m now available to the Trust for support and mentorship to those individuals who the bank – and others – have turned down.
