Business In The Spotlight: TBE | The Budding Entrepreneurs Club

We’re showcasing our sixth ‘Business in the Spotlight’ today! Here we chat to amazing businesses actively using cool ways to grow!  If you’re interested in being featured please click here. It’s certainly worth looking at our other Businesses in the Spotlight, help your business to grow!

Today in the Spotlight we have an interview with exciting TBE Founder, Ollie Forsyth.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself?

 

My name is Ollie Forsyth, I am currently just 19 years old. I left school aged 16 without qualifications. I started my first business aged 13 which was an online gift shop for teenagers so I have always had that buzz to be an entrepreneur! I even used to make my parents tea and coffee in the morning and charged them 20p a cup, when I was 6!

 

Since leaving school, I went to two business schools, which taught me very little. Having appeared in a number of media publications as well as meeting many entrepreneurs, we launched our own entrepreneurship magazine which then later turned into The Budding Entrepreneur Club.

 

2. What is TBE all about?

 

The Budding Entrepreneur is currently an entrepreneur’s community filled with exceptional entrepreneurs. The Budding Entrepreneur Club is currently only located in London with plans to open in a further 2-3 cities later this year. We have an entrepreneur academy where we educate young people on how to start companies with plans to open an investment fund which is an ideal fit between TBE Club and TBE Academy.

 

I started the club because of the frustration of not meeting seriously cool entrepreneurs. I have met some amazing entrepreneurs in my life so far, from Richard Branson to people who have sold companies for millions. This is who we want to meet with so we can connect them with our members who are just starting out and looking to grow!

 

I launched the club at The Shard last year, (24th floor), had 200 people attend – it was the first event I had ever organised! Within a week of launching and post launch, we had coverage in The Guardian, The Daily Mail, BBC News and Fortune Magazine (on their 18 under 18 list). I have NEVER paid for marketing. Within a week, our #tbeclublaunch reach 2 million people!!! IN A WEEK.

3. How important is having a great network for young entrepreneurs?

 

SO SO important. How do you know who you are going to meet at these events? Once you start to build a really solid network, people will start to say, oh yes, I know him/her, I see you know him/her, can you connect us? You have to be lucky, but you have to meet the right people. The earlier you connect with these big people, the better. If you want to join The Budding Entrepreneur Club and meet the best entrepreneurs in the country, I can give you two months free of charge!

 

4. Why do you think makes people great business leaders?

 

Because they never give up. I was told I was a failure multiple time. But I never listened to them, just put a plaster on it the next day if some goes wrong and move on.

 

5. Why is word of mouth important to you as a business and for networking

 

Because it is completely free marketing!

 

 

If you wish to join the TBE Club, simply complete the membership form on the website and mention you have read this article. This will also give you two months free membership!