The Tea Dances
Some people are worried that there is a split growing...
Read MoreThe Initiative
Some people were put off by the idea of a teenager starting his own business, they sometimes didn’t take it seriously. And it’s often hard work convincing people that social enterprises can be more than a side-project.
But you can do good and make money.
Adam Bradford set up his first business at the age of 14. It was part of the “Big Challenge” where he offered a service to make it easier for teachers to use whiteboard technology.
He is now 20 and has continued to start projects and businesses around technology, but something that has never left him is this statement - “I just love to help people out!”
And we have backed his most recent project: The Initiative.
How it works
This project is about finding young people who are enthusiastic and giving them the support they need to get businesses and projects up and running.
The way it works is that a set of business experts volunteer to “hot-desk” by heading to offices after being booked in by young people who need advice or guidance when it comes to business. Adam has built up a network of over 1,000 mentors providing this guidance.
Making connections
Adam is also an ambassador for the Peter Jones Foundation, and does a lot of public speaking. He has learnt a lot about the importance of connecting with others through that. It’s these skills that have helped him to build up his network of about 1,000 mentors who are giving their time for free to help young people develop their ideas.
Young people in business
He has faced some small problems, “some people are put off by the idea of a teenager starting his own business, they sometimes don’t take you seriously.” And he also finds it hard work convincing people that social enterprises can be more than just a side-project. “You can do good and make money,” says Adam.
What’s next?
Adam has lots of plans for the future. The next step for The Initiative is that he wants to set up a qualification that can be earned through it, as well as expanding his reach as an ambassador for social enterprise by travelling to more countries to help more people out.
We also have an announcement about Adam – he’s joined our team! He will be working with young people who are starting up projects just like he did and helping them to make their idea a reality. So if you want to start a project with Live UnLtd, it could be Adam who ends up supporting you in making it happen!
Adam will also be involved in the release of few a books in the coming months, so he’s keeping himself pretty busy right now, but we get the impression that that’s how he likes it!
Adam said of working with Live UnLtd:
It was helpful. Definitely. The funding gets things going, but the real help is having someone there to help you figure out where you’re going next. There are also plenty of opportunities in being part of the UnLtd network.
Want to start a project like Adam did? Tell us a little about your idea:
