For Upper Sixth Former Joseph, entrepreneurship has been about getting stuck in, trying things out and seeing where they lead. This approach has now been recognised with a shortlisting for a Youth TV Aspire Award for Young Entrepreneur in Bedford Borough, and, as Joseph puts it, “it’s a great way for me to leave my legacy” as he prepares to move on from Bedford School.
Over the year, Joseph has explored a range of different business ideas, from creating YouTube content, designing websites and writing ‘persuasive emails’ for local businesses, to social media marketing work, which played a key role in his nomination.
Opportunities at school have helped him build the confidence to start. Through Mr Everitt’s Entrepreneurial Society, with its regular programme of external speakers and industry insight, Joseph has been able to learn from others while shaping his own ideas. This year, he also gave back, leading a session himself for younger boys interested in entrepreneurship and sharing what he has learned along the way.
Like any entrepreneur, not everything has worked first time. One of Joseph’s earliest projects – a clothing brand, did not go as planned, but Joseph is quick to point out how valuable that experience was. It taught him how to adapt, stay motivated and learn from his mistakes, something he sees as an essential part of the journey.
Joseph has also remained closely involved in the school’s enterprise activity, returning to support this year’s ‘Start-Up’ programme alongside Mr Everitt. The initiative sees Fifth Form boys spend a week developing a business idea before pitching it in a Dragon’s Den-style final – a chance for them to experience entrepreneurship in action.
Speaking in assembly, Joseph reflected on his journey so far, encouraging others to “give it a go” themselves. Mr Everitt added:
“Never think, ‘I’m not an entrepreneur’. The traits that make an entrepreneur sit in all of us; identity, passion, creativity, courage and action.
Joseph’s own advice was equally straightforward. Use the summer. With fewer pressures, it is the perfect time to try something new. Test an idea, start a project or simply see what’s possible… “Just give something a go,” he said.
Looking ahead, Joseph plans to keep exploring, taking a gap year before studying media production at either Bournemouth or MetFilm School in London, with the aim of moving into film production or directing.
His story is a strong example of our focus on entrepreneurship in action and that is not about getting everything right first time, but about having the confidence to start in the first place.
