The Start of the Summer

Officially a free man. Six weeks of watching the glorious weather from the confines of the air conditioned library are over, as is my exam beard/stubble.

First exam result came through as a 2:1, which I am happy about seen as I only completed 75% of the paper. My Excel grade calculator which I produced during procrastination in my exam period signals that I should get a strong 2:1, pushing towards a 1:1 in Business Studies.

I spent the evening with Paolo Nutini late last month in Manchester, with my housemate, Ed and I thoroughly enjoying it! The handful of groupies stood by the stage door looked more appealing than the queue out of the car park, so we joined them and met the man himself, who is set to take the festival scene by storm this summer.

 

Paolo’s opening song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1C2XmfcNY0

I returned to Leicester on the Monday, prior to my Finance exam on the Thursday to watch 4/5th’s of One Direction take on a team including Robert Pires, Robbie Savage and Michael Vaughn, captained by Piers Morgan. Styles grabbed a 90th minute equaliser from the penalty spot (surprisingly!) taking the game to penalties, with Morgans team being victorious.

Niall Horan leads Phil Neville, David James, Liam Payne, Ronan Keating and team to the pitch.

Tomlinson, Bishop and Corden warming up.

Feel my Finance exam went well on the Thursday, picking questions on Weighted Average Cost of Capital and Leasing vs Buying assets.

On the Friday I enjoyed a dry day at Alton Towers which had remarkably small queues considering it was half term!

10 days ago I visited the home of Batman, Wayne Manor (Wollaton Park) to attend No Tomorrow Festival. The festival attracted the likes of Duke Dumont, Indiana, Jess Glynne (Vocals for Clean Bandits – Rather Be), Sam Smith, London Grammar and Clean Bandit. The weather started in a traditional festival style (puddle jumping, glorious weather for ducks), but the sun was shining by the mid-afternoon!

 

I spent Saturday at Leicester Races which was great fun and managed to come away with £17.35 in winnings, beginners luck! However I managed to miss this guy:

I’ve picked up some bar work recently to fund my kitty for interview expenses. I’ve been meeting with some exciting companies in both the Midlands and in London, of which I am waiting to hear back from!

 

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Sheffield Hallam Union Student of the Year

Wow, it’s mid May already! Where has the beginning of 2014 gone?

Apologies for the lack of blogs, I’ve had a busy few months at University, starting with a 60 page fundamental analysis of Sainsbury’s last five years of Annual Reports and Accounts, which was not as tedious as it sounds!

Essays, exams, campaigning for my housemate who ran for student elections  and job hunting sums up the first few months of the year and to quote Mrs Brown’s Boys ‘the wheelie bin has been out more times than I have’.

I was shortlisted for Sheffield Business Schools Inspiration Student Award, but narrowly missed out. Last Tuesday I was invited to the Students Union for their Annual Student Awards ceremony as I was nominated for the ‘Student of the Year’ category. I was up against two really strong assets to the University and it was a great surprise when my name got called out!

I was nominated for inspiring and motivating student throughout the University and it’s a really nice way to round of four years at University.

Hopefully some exciting news soon and maybe some travelling over the summer.

2 exams down and 2 to go, with Paolo Nutini in the middle of them – someone I’ve wanted to see for a while.

DG

 

Sheffield Hallam University Marketing Campaign

Following my presentation at the Universities ‘Global Graduates’ event in October I was approached by the Universities Marketing Department to ask if I was willing to get involved in their next marketing campaign.

The University had selected two students, myself and Jijing Li, who is currently an intern at the Business School to front their new campaign.

In early November I was invited to the new Employability Center at the University for a photo shoot and a couple of hundred photos and a muscle spasm in my cheek the campaign was released in late November.

I am now haunted by this image on every computer screen in the University, as it is set as one of the rolling screen savers and it can also be found on the opening page of the Universities intranet.

At a similar time 300 of the Balloon Kenya posters and 5000 fliers were produced, so I have been receiving a fair amount of stick from my friends at University. The Balloon Kenya funding from Hallam Union was heavily applied for from students and the assessments shall start next month.

It was an honour to be asked to get involved as there are 37,000 at Sheffield Hallam.

TATA Social Enterprise Conference – 7th December 2013

On Saturday I had the opportunity to travel to London for TATAs Social Enterprise Conference, hosted by NACUE (National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs) held at City University.

The hardest bit of the event was setting my alarm for 05:20, as our train was booked for 06:25 to ensure that we were ready for the 10:00 start in the capital.

Upon arrival at City University it was great to see the Balloon Kenya team who were exhibiting at the event, who welcomed guests with balloon shaped cookies. It was great to see Maxine too, who was another Fellow on my programme over the summer.

The event started at ten with a welcome from NACUEs Head of Community, Amy Watson. The welcome was followed by Jaguar Land Rovers, Director for Corporate and Social Responsibility, Jonathan Garrett who spoke about the importance of preparing for 2050. The population will reach 9 billion and he spoke of how there is plenty of opportunities for social entrepreneurs to exploit the rise in population.

Arthur Kay of Bio-Bean, a company that recycles coffee grounds into biodiesel and biomass pellets introduced the keynote speaker, Robin Shelley. Robin who is regarded as a ‘Global Shaper’ by the World Economic Forum has worked as Chief of Staff to former President of Costa Rica Jose Maria Figueres, supporting international initiatives in climate change and energy. He currently works in investment banking and is interested in how finance can create economic development and social change. Robin spoke about ‘Social Intrapreneurs’, people working within large organisations that push for social good.

Following the morning keynote was a panel of social enterprise experts taking questions from the delegates in regards to ‘Working towards a greater social impact’.

Coffee and networking concluded the morning sessions in which I was asked to speak to The Guardian in regards to the conference and about the work I did in Kenya, which I look forward to seeing.

Breakout sessions followed the networking break, with a selection of different topics being discussed in different rooms across the University. I chose ‘The Naked Debate’ hosted by Solitaire Townsend, the founder of Futerra, a sustainable development communications agency. Solitaire looked at making social enterprise sexy, how to win the status fight of social media and why you have power to change the world.

Lunch followed, allowing everybody to get some food and visit the varying stall that were available to view in the Social Enterprise Marketplace. I stayed with the Balloon Kenya team and shared my experiences with students who were interested in joining the project next summer.

After lunch was the presentation that I’d been looking forward too, with Rob Forkan the founder of Gandys Flip Flops and their investor Dominic List, a former Secret Millionaire. Rob went through Gandys interesting story, talking about how a family tragedy encouraged them to set up a business with social good – check out their story http://www.gandysflipflops.com/our-journey

Unfortunately we didn’t have time for the last set of talks as we had to get back to Sheffield, however I did have an attempt at running into a wall.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day out in the capital and thanks to Hallam Union for allowing me to represent them.

Balloon Kenya: Global Entrepreneurial Week

This evening I gave a presentation at Sheffield Hallam University for Global Entrepreneurial Week and it went really well!

Over 50 students and staff turned up from the University and there was a great deal of interest in the places that Hallam Union want to offer for students for next summer, which I would encourage them to sign up for!

Other really interesting speakers included:

• Stefan Suchack –  www.vonhatski.com/
• Steve Rimmer – www.cads-online.co.uk/
• Simon Brown – www.partyforthepeople.org.uk

BLOG – Balloon Kenya: Global Entrepreneurial Week

Entrepreneurship: Taking the Next Step!

Wednesday 20^th November 2013, 6:00 – 7:30pm, Stoddart- room 7138, Sheffield Hallam University

Have you ever wanted to learn more about how to become a successful entrepreneur and about what opportunities and support is available?

“Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship. Each year, it plays a critical role in encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs to consider starting up their own business”. To celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, we are hosting a very special start up event where successful Hallam Entrepreneurs will be sharing their entrepreneurial journeys. You will be able to learn from the challenges they faced, their successes and learn more about what it is like to be an entrepreneur. Light food and refreshments will also be available. Speakers include:

Dan Garlick – ‘Balloon Kenya’

This summer Dan spent 6 weeks in Nakuru, the fastest growing town in Africa, leading classes and testing new business ideas with ambitious local men and women.  During his time there he:

• Gained hands on business start-up experience
• Supported Kenyan people to change their lives through entrepreneurship
• Left with global awareness skills and experiences that are sought by top employers

Mathew Dixon – ‘ Time2BeHeard’  

Mathew set up new support network for young people aged 14-18 involved in music within deprived and disadvantaged areas in Sheffield. The project involves workshops run by people from the music industry that would provide advice and guidance around the music the young people are producing/ writing.

Stefan Suchack – ‘Vonhatski’

Vonhatski had one mission: to design the very best all valve guitar amplifiers and speaker cabinets in the world & hand-build them in Britain. Owner Stefan Suchacki is a self-proclaimed workaholic, Passionate in driving his business Vonthatski to the forefront of amplification equipment with his unique business approach. From 2011 Stefan has strived to make his products the best of the best with his engineering skills & help from the Research & Innovation Office. The Rotherham based business is currently working with bands such as Greg Bone, Sister Sin & Hells Addiction.

Steve Rimmer and Simon Brown – ‘ CADS’ and ‘Party for the People’

CADS is a multi-purpose arts organisation, founded in 2009 by former Sheffield Business School graduate Steve Rimmer. CADS aim to assist small start-up creative business through the provision of affordable workspace and business support, earlier this year CADS attained official charity status.

A great example of one of the start-up business CADs has supported is Party for the People, a non-profit organisation forged from the vibrant underground UK music scene with sole aim of raising money for charity.

There are a limited number of places for this session, so please email caitlin.morgan@shu.ac.uk to reserve your place!

BLOG – Movember

I’ve jumped on the Movember band wagon in an attempt to a moustache as impressive as my Fathers!

If you fancy adding a small donation to the Movember cause to help raise awareness to male health issues follow the below link:

http://uk.movember.com/mospace/8249585

THANK YOU!

Day 11:

BLOG – Ethiopian Hatricks, Two Page Articles, Boot Camps and a Man Named Chimbonda

Yesterday was a busy day of meetings looking into how we are going to approach the launch of Balloon Kenya in partnership with Hallam Union.

After the success of my trip over the summer Hallam Union would like to fund two places next summer to join the programme in June 2014.

We shall be looking for the Universities top talent and launching the campaign in the first week of November. Lots of people have shown an interest already which is really exciting!

I met the President of the Union in a bar in Sheffield in the week and he was fully aware of the project and gave me his number if I needed any assistance, which was nice!

As the leaves mount up on the pavements of Sheffield, as does the work load. Corporate Finance being today’s reading topic.

Last Thursday I spent the day in Manchester at a careers fair of 3,000 students and 50 graduate employers. One of Next’s HR Officers described me as the ‘sharpest’ student at the event in my light grey suit with navy tie. I had some great chats with some of the employers there, but also some of the students too.

Last Saturday I got the opportunity to watch my beloved Carlisle United play in Manchester. Despite the loss it was a nice day out! I also saw Pascal Chimbonda make his début for the club.

I appeared in the Business Magazine of the Leicester Mercury on Tuesday. An article that I wrote about a month ago appeared over two pages of their monthly magazine. Thanks to their Business Editor, Ian for sorting it!

Garlick scored a hat trick in an Ethiopian shirt this week and it was nice to get my football boots back on and escape university for an hour with friends. The decision on the next African nation I shall represent is difficult after the haul of football shirts I bought back from Kenya (Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, Nakuru Allstars, South Sudan and Ethiopia).

This week shall see me represent Sheffield Business Schools Enterprise Society in Birmingham at NACUE’s (National Association of College & University Entrepreneurs) boot camp. It’ll be great to join fellow Enterprise Committee members from across the country to share some ideas. I may have a cheeky stop of in Leicester to see the family too!

VIDEO – Balloon Kenya: Sheffield Hallam University ‘Global Graduates’ Presentation – Video

On Tuesday I had the pleasure to speak at the ‘Global Graduates’ event at Sheffield Hallam University.

The event saw students give presentations on extra-curricular activities that they had participated in all around the world.

I was invited to talk about my recent trip to Kenya. Apologies for the sounds quality:

 

ARTICLE – Balloon Kenya: Student Helps Business Balloon in Kenya – Sheffield Hallam University Article

Entrepreneurs in Kenya have had their business prospects boosted thanks to support from a Sheffield Hallam University student.

Dan Garlick, a final-year business studies student, spent the summer in the Kenyan town of Nakuru where he provided valuable business advice to local traders.

The 21-year-old from Loughborough, was one of 24 students from across the world picked to take part in the global Balloon Kenya scheme.

He spent six weeks working with a group of 11 local entrepreneurs all of whom had businesses ranging from clothing stores, fruit stalls, shoe shops and motorbike transport service while another wanted to start an affordable recording studio.

“They all wanted to grow their businesses and improve their standard of living, as some earned as little as £2 per day,” said Dan.

“Some had little concept of basic business principles like profit margins or cash-flow systems so we spent the first fortnight in the classroom getting them to think outside of the box and look at ways they could improve their businesses. It was important that we were there to be facilitators rather than leaders in this project and we wanted to steer them away from the copy-cat culture that you see over there with stalls on every street selling exactly the same products.”

In the latter part of the project, Dan had the task of preparing his cohort to pitch their business proposals in a bid for funding from the scheme’s partner organisation, Hope and Vision.

“One of my proudest moments was seeing them all blossom in confidence, in particular, Jackson. He was 44 and had a wife and four children and he sold suits for women. He was so shy at the beginning and lacked confidence. He only focused on selling suit jackets and skirts but after some encouragement, I got him thinking about increasing his stock and he became really driven. He came out of his pitch with the biggest smile on his face so I really hope he gets the funding.”

Dan is now back in Sheffield but his Balloon Kenya experience has resulted in the University’s Students Union providing part-funding for two places on next year’s scheme.

http://www.shu.ac.uk/mediacentre/student-helps-business-balloon-kenya