Steve is the founder of Wealthystudent.co.uk, A site dedicated towards helping students financially through university. although as discussed in the interview, he is looking to re-launch it into a much more success/career based site in a few weeks time.

In this interview, steve touches on some key tips especially for entrepreneurs looking to start their business int he university or straight after..

Enjoy…

Steve, how you doing today?

Very good thanks! Thanks for giving me the chance to do this interview.

Wealthy student? How and when did you start your business?

I started the business back at university in 2008. I got some funding by my university, who backed the idea and it took off from there. The prelimonary idea behind the site was to be a site to help students financially through university. The site has got sidetracked through 2009 as I got involved with another student business. I am now back on track and we are going to be re-launching with a much more success/career based site in a few weeks time.

What inspired you to start you to start the site?

I had always wanted to be my own boss and it just hit me one day that the internet was clearly an opportunity to start a business. It was staring me in the face. Anyone can start a business on the internet. To be successful though, takes tremendous amounts of perserverance, quick learning and having massive focus.

I also wanted to do something about student’s situation. I had managed to graduate with about £10,000 in the bank, just through working a part time job. Anybody could do that, too.

How difficult was it starting a business?

I found it fairly easy to get started. You need to get people around you who can mentor and help. I think the difficult part is when you get a year or two into the business and things haven’t got quite as planned. Will you still be motivated to be a success? It’s then when passion counts.

How did you raise money for your business?

I got a £3500 grant from my university, much of my savings of university went into the business.

What’s your business model?

Originally, it had been solely affiliate and advertising revenue but now we are heading into the recruitment sector.

How did you market your business?

JV partnerships, viral marketing (giving my book away), SEO marketing, article marketing – as many things as possible that get you ‘out there’. If you don’t know enough about how to do marketing on little or no budget then definitely get advice.

What are the fundamentals that you think every entrepreneur should follow when starting up a business?

• Get a mentor
• If you are setting up an online business and can’t code the site yourself then ask as many people as possible if they know anyone can, for cheap. Do not pay thousands. There are plenty of people out there trying to rip you off.
• Don’t be scared to tell other people your idea. People won’t steal it, it takes a lot of hard graft to get an idea to go anywhere.
• Write some sort of business plan. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but get something down.
• Have a vision of what you want the business to be in 5 years time.
• Set yearly, monthly, weekly and daily goals.
• Make every penny count.
• Make every minute count as much as every penny. Productivity is key when starting up.
• Make sure you are truly passionate about the business. Don’t purely do it as a road to riches. If you don’t have passion then you will give up in the end.

You’re the 2009 Men’s Health Entrepreneur of the Yr, how does that feel? And also a Part of the Observer/Courvoisier Future 500, that’s got to be cool, it sounds cool anyways?

The entrepreneur of the year was great. I had worked so hard up until that point and it was fantastic to get recognition. Being an entrepreneur can be lonely. The Courvoisier Future 500 is possibly the best thing about being in business. You get to meet some fantastic people, doing fantastic things at the networking events.

You also have a book called Defeat Student Debt, how did that come about?

I wrote the book whilst I was in the process of graduating (available on Amazon). I think I am a bit of a writer at heart and I had a lot to say about enjoying yourself at university but also doing it in a way that would keep you in good financial stead.

Who is your role model?

It can change all the time. Anyone who is at the top of their game whether it is in sport or business. Some names? Richard Branson, Warren Buffet, Steve Jobs, Roger Federer, Lewis Hamilton and (surprise entry) Ricky Gervais.

What s your favourite entrepreneurial book?

Quite a few. I’ll go for something a bit different – The 4 hour work week by Tim Ferris.

What were you doing before? What would you do if they were no wealthystudent?

I was a student before. If there was no wealthystudent, I’d probably go work and travel somewhere as that is my other passion – seeing, living and breathing other cultures.

What advices would you give to young entrepreneurs starting up?

Think big and go for it! Follow my above advice!

What next for you?

Concentrating on making this business a success and inspiring others to do the same.

Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years time?

I’d love to get into investing into startups that are in their infancy. After my experiences with them, there will be a lot I can offer.

Thanks for your time steve, i wish you the very best.

Check out his website Guys, Leave comments so i know your thoughts on this interview.

Jean Malissard is a 19 years old undergraduate from Warwick University studying international business and Spanish.

Jean who has been living in the UK now for 14 years said “I consider myself more British than French “.
A creative, committed and energetic student, jean has been named the delegate of the second year students of the business school for the second time in a row.

He is also the Co-founder of Uni4ya and Creativia

“He said he came up with the idea for uni4ya at the start of his first year, but it took 9 months to put the website online. Their precise timing enabled them to launch it for the fresher’s week of 2009.

“Uni4ya.com is the first and only interactive student directory where local businesses promote themseleves to the student community. We have 15 categories going from night clubs, to restaurants, driving schools and many others such as hair and beauty categories. Together with the website we have launched the Uni4ya discount card giving exclusive student discounts in local businesses. As a result, thanks to the combination of the website and the card, the students can know where to go and where to save!!”

He also said “
As you can understand since we are students and the idea is new we wanted to start small and see how it goes. We are offering this service for students from both Warwick and Coventry universities. However, we are soon going to launch it in other British universities. When I say soon, it’s in few weeks time!!! “

Jean stated that he simply came up with the idea when he realised as a fresher that many students found it tough in getting information about local businesses because living on campus and not in the city itself they couldn’t know what were the latest offers and the events taking place around the university.
On the business side, they realised that it was also difficult for them to fight competition and reach the student niche.

He said “I came with the idea and quickly found two partners Simon Cohen and Sasha Kasloff”. Moreover, since we also realised that there was a lack of a “community atmosphere” in the university we put in place on the website a community part with a market place, a forum and photo galleries where students can interact!

Jean and his 2 business partners have been in touch with all local businesses of the 2 cities surrounding their campus. “We started during last summer. It was very tiring! To give you an idea, I called 2200 minutes just in June when I was calling prospect clients”

He quickly told us what he has learnt as an entrepreneur “I’ve learnt so much to be honest! Well the first thing is that starting a business is not like a game, you have to take everything seriously! You always have to expect the unexpected and sometimes the consequences can be disastrous unless you stay focus! We experimented with this in some of our programmers who acted unprofessionally and it turned out to be tough to recover for us! Luckily enough we managed to solve the issues and get the business is back on performing tracks. Another thing is that customer relationship is the key to success because at the end of the day a business without cash inflow doesn’t last long! (From my own perspective) “

They are
Also getting partnership offers from several companies which he said will be clearer in few weeks!

Jean talked about his second company: Creativia ltd

Creativia ltd is an out of home advertising agency that strives to bring creativity in the way advertising messages are communicated. Creativia delivers a direct and effective medium for conveying advertising messages to an initially profiled target audience. We advertise products, services or solutions on insulating take-away cup sleeves.

He said he got the idea during a business model where he got the chance to present to people in the dragon’s den type and after his teacher advised him and his partner Dobbie to concretise it in real business.

They are offering this service to universities, company cafeterias and event organisers. What is important is to differentiate the partners who are the ones accepting to distribute these take away cup sleeves and the advertisers who are the ones promoting their products and services through this medium to the end users, the potential customers.

Why are they offering a new communication media i finally asked?

As every business, our client’s goal is to make their products, services or solutions accessible to a larger base of consumers (B2C) or customers (B2B). Quality of our clients’ products/services is one aspect, price is another one, reputation also helps but information and awareness to our clients’ market is probably one of the most important success factors. The options offered by ‘Out of Home Advertising’ currently make it one of the most cost efficient and effective methods of advertising. It becomes paramount to look different than your competitors, to show some differentiation factors and to connect with customers.

Check out his websites and remember to leave your comments below.
www.uni4ya.com
www.creativia.co.uk

It all started at age 13 for Samuel when he expressed his interest in arts, his interests was rewarded with appearance in UK soaps such as the bill and eastenders, he also had the opportunity to appearing in a short film called “Welcome to Britain”.

Deciding to further his education, he left his acting behind after being advised by his older sister to focus on university, Starting university, he became interested in journalism consequently resulting him in writing articles, which were featured in the local university newspaper and the “The Voice”.

In his third year, Sam became heavily involved in student politics, becoming the first and youngest candidate to receive over 1000 votes in Brunel University’s Student Union election for the post of Vice President. The only student on the university governing body (university council), Samuel was involved in the distribution of university budgets of nearly £165 million.

Now he concentrates most of his time building elevation networks which he runs with his fellow entrepreneur Arnold Sarfo-Kantanka.

Elevations Network is a student-led social enterprise that aims to bridge the gap between underrepresented groups within communities and industry. The group aims to create a belief system that provides a gateway for aspirations to become tangible goals. The underlying ideology behind
Elevation Networks is the concept of networking. EN targets young people within society where the opportunity to network is not being fully utilised and appreciated.

http://www.elevationnetworks.co.uk

They are also currently seeking 16 enthusiastic students who are interested in actively making a difference within their University.

The voluntary experience will last for the academic year 2009-2010 and the role will involve project and event management, promotion, research and other important responsibilities.

It is essential that you will be studying at a London based University during the 2009-2010 academic year and that you are aged between 18-24 years.

If you are interested and would like further information about this opportunity, email Nelson at:
nelson@elevationenterprise.com

Beyonce and Cheryl were the latest additions to the names of celebrities that are already wearing the talented fashion designer’s collection.

Beyonce was seen wearing the design at the MTV Europe Awards in Berlin, while as you remember Cheryl wearing the piece at the x-factor and capturing the eyes of Simon cowell with it.
Don’t forget the likes of Megan Fox, Lady Gaga.

Koma, who was born in Georgia and grew up in St Petersburg, moved to London several years ago to study at Central St Martins fashion college. He graduated in February this year with an MA prestigious Harrods Design Award, previously won by Christopher Kane, in 2006.

To his amazement “he said that beyonce loves his design and has agreed to meet him”.

He told vogue.com “I am honoured that my first collection has had such a phenomenal response and particularly that such dynamic performance artists, with a strong individual style, have chosen to wear my designs,” the Central Saint Martins graduate, Harrods Design Award winner and Vauxhall Fashion Scout Merit Award winner told VOGUE.COM

Apparently the design worn by Cheryl was priced at £1,900, and is already sold out, welcome to the world of celebrity.

Ladiosa is a story of two friends who decided to start their own jewellery company after getting an initial loan of £5,000 from the prince’s trust.

They said La Diosa means ‘The Goddess’ in Spanish, and perfectly reflects the divine designs of their jewellery.

Having worked for other people, they have often found their creativity being shut off by their employers, so they decided to take matters into their hands, first was a trip around the world for 9 months which inspired their jewellery designs, they also learnt various jewellery making techniques, and were clearly inspired by different cultures which are being portrayed in their designs.

Their jewellery has been worn by the likes of Baroness Amos, Leona Lewis and Kelly Rowland. The striking jewellery has also been featured on VOGUE.Com and is stocked in the prestigious Harvey Nichols.

Check out their website.

Whilst doing some research online, I stumbled onto a 13 year old called Tevi Gevinson, with the headline “Tavi Gevinson: the 13-year-old blogger with the fashion world at her feet from guardian” i was drawn in so i began researching on her and saw that she has already been featured in some top websites already.

To my surprise or should i say according to Wikipedia, she apparently started blogging as an 11 years old, In my mind, i was like “what the hell” 11 years old.

Tevi partnered with the London-based Borders&Frontiers in mid-2009 to design and sell her own t-shirt
In August 2009, she appeared on the cover of Pop Magazine, which feature photographs by Jamie Morgan and was designed by artist Damien Hirst. Since then, Tavi has been featured in the View section of the December/January 2010 issue of Teen Vogue magazine.

She is currently uploading her thoughts on the New York shows to Pop’s website – her first foray into paid journalism. “For one week I was in a utopia full of people who can recognise that my jacket is Luella and appreciate that I stuck an upside-down doll in its chest pocket,” she wrote on Friday.

Asked earlier whether her classmates read her blog, she said no. Asked whether they understood her style, she admitted: “A lot of them don’t get it, but some do.”