Deciding to go it alone and set up your own business can be quite a scary thought.
It isn’t for everyone, but those that pursue the idea have the opportunity to benefit in many ways – you can pursue your own passion, you can work to a schedule that suits you, and the potential earnings for successful businesses can be great.
We sat down to speak with Jacob Hill, Yorkshire’s young entrepreneur of the year for 2013 and founder of The Lazy Camper. If you’re considering the entrepreneurial route yourself, but need a little inspiration, read on…
The Big Interview
Q. Hi Jacob. Do you mind telling us a little bit yourself and what you do?
A. My name is Jacob Hill and I’m proud to be Yorkshire’s young entrepreneur of the year. I started my business ‘The Lazy Camper’ when I was 19 years old in my bedroom at my parent’s house and basically, I sell tents!
The Lazy Camper is the complete outdoors camping package with everything needed in one pack. Guests can order online, collect at the festival and even take the pack home with them. I started the business after a bad experience at Leeds Festival when all my cheap camping equipment fell to bits.
Q. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A. I wanted to be, and a little piece still wants to be, a pilot in the RAF. I was an air cadet for five years and enjoyed working my way up the ranks and flying planes. When I find I have a bit of disposable income, I would definitely love to pursue flying as a hobby.
Q. How did you get started?
A. I have always been terrible at employment/taking orders. Throughout school the only lessons I really enjoyed were business as I could understand how it could be used practically in life.
By the age of 16 I started a student events/concert business which spectacularly failed by the age of 18 meaning I had to go out and get a proper job. I tried call centres, bars, charity shops and McDonalds. I didn’t enjoy working at any of them.
Q. Describe your typical working day:
A. A typical working day is hard to define when running your own business, especially in the start-up stage as things are never straight cut. I tend to get up about 6am, go for a jog which quickly turns in to a walk, enjoy some breakfast and head in to the office about 8am. I share an office with lots of other student entrepreneurs and most don’t make it in until 11 (too much drinking the night before I bet!).
By lunch, most of the admin bits will be done and I try to fill the afternoon with bits I enjoy such as looking for ways to grow the business, contacting potential clients, looking at new products or generally chatting to the other young entrepreneurs. I think it’s really important to be in an environment you enjoy being in.
Q. What is the best thing about working for yourself?
A. I’d say the best part of it all, out of everything though, is that drive/adrenaline I feel every single day be it a Tuesday or a Sunday. That spirit of adventure where I am constantly thinking ‘How is my life going to change today?’ I honestly would work for nothing if I could find a job that gives me that exact feeling.
Q. What is your biggest achievement to date?
A. I’ve been lucky enough to score £300,000 investment for my business. Whilst it is a large achievement in its own right, particularly when almost three years ago I was in £3,500 debt from my first failed business, I think it’s only a small part of a big picture.
I’ve also had the pleasure of employing people, meeting my heroes, inspiring other people, making my own work and seeing how proud my parents and even friends are. That really does mean a lot.
Q. What advice would you give to any budding young jobseekers?
A. A lot of my friends are unemployed or just coming to finish university and most of them seem stuck with what they’re going to do for the rest of their life – that’s exactly where I think they are going wrong. Whatever you are going to do for the rest of your life should be something you enjoy without compromise. So if your next job isn’t that, don’t stick with it until retirement.
Experience is key. If I was to employ people, whilst your grades/qualifications would be impressive, your personality and life experience is worth much more. You can teach a person maths, you can’t teach them how to have a conversation with a customer.
I’m not saying you need to see Everest but go volunteer at places you’d enjoy helping at, be that in a medical, education or even outdoor environment. These types of things help to place something impressive to talk about on your CV as well as your qualifications.
Q. What advice would you give to any budding young entrepreneurs?
A. Entrepreneurs just get started. Whenever I have an idea, I write it down on one sheet of A4 paper. Then when you find a way to change it, start from scratch on another sheet.
Don’t be afraid to follow your idea. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel; you just have to make it better. Don’t worry about money yet – if you have the determination and demand for what you can offer, it will come.
Take every opportunity possible. The amount of plus one invites I have accepted to events, or meets with people over coffee, have rarely been a waste of time. Don’t be afraid to get your face out there – it will be interesting to see where it takes you.
Q. I love Mondays because…
A. They are the start of a fresh week. I ensure my inbox/calendar is cleared by Monday so I can respond to incoming emails or calls immediately and make the week my own.
All I can say to anyone looking for their own opportunities is just give it a go. Don’t start at the beginning of next week, start now and make every day a Monday!
For some more info and festival inspiration from Jacob click here.
