FOCAL - Our Journey with Prince's Trust

Hello!

This is a brief article about the Princes Trust and all the help they've selflessly provided us over the years. https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/

A quick background

Alex & I met in school, both wanting to pursue more science based careers (Chemistry & Medicine respectively), however after 2 years studying media as a break subject from the heavy sciences, we opted to try our hand at turning our passion into reality.

After a year of organic growth, (largely us having no real understanding of how to run a business) we went to the Princes Trust.

The process

I was advised to look into the Princes Trust to see if I could get on their Enterprise program. It was 4 day programme with a small group of like minded individuals (some of which I still speak to) which is incredibly reassuring whilst you start this adventure.

They take you through subjects from marketing your conept/service to the basic accountanting. I in no way became as good as an accountant by then but going from zero to a rudimentary understanding was incredible.

Not only that, they get you to think about what it is you actually want to do. An entrepreneurial life isn't necessarily for, or possible for everyone and I did seriously consider whether this was the right path.

But I believed in what myself and Alexander (Business partner and life long friend) wanted to achieve. To develop marketing concepts & tactics that differs from the norm. "No more margherita marketing" is our through message in everything we do.

Mentoring

If you're successful, Princes Trust provide you a mentor. Our's was the brilliant Ross Sommerville. This is where the Princes Trust have made the biggest difference, the initial few days are without question important, however it's the mentors that really helped us. Those regular meetings allowed us to sound board our ideas and keep us on track.

Ensuring we were always hitting our targets and making progress as a business. From our mad ideas to the small details, Ross was there as a guide, pointing out the pitfalls, helping us secure work and use his connections to provide resources.

The final step

After a year of revising the business plan and already running Focal. We were ready to go.

We attended the business launch group in Southampton, this involved presenting our plan to the Princes Trust and answering any/all questions regarding what we'd stated.

We found out then and there that we'd passed which was without a doubt a relief and hugely motivational.

I can't express enough the value that these organisations provide, they ensured our success and not only developed our business understanding but also understand who we really are.

So this is my thankyou Princes Trust for their continued support.

https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/

Time to crack on!