StudentPreneur Podcast: Stories of Students who are Entrepreneurs | Student Entrepreneur | Young Entrepreneur |

Meet this week awesome studentpreneur: Nkosana H Mafico, 20 years old, Student in Business Management at University of Queensland and entrepreneur at Shandar Entreprise in Brisbane, Australia.

Wrap up:

Nkosana realised early on that high school is a unique market where customers cannot leave for 6 hours and took advantage of it. The fact that his parents did not give him much pocket money was a motivation for starting his gardening business. Interestingly in his first year at University he followed the voices from the other mindset: be a good student and wait to graduate to start your busines. It was the realisation that he couldn’t get a good internship because the conventional way of applying was not his strength that made him go back to being a Studentpreneur. His motivation was to build his own brand to be an interesting candidate. A business plan competition got him started again and led him to other opportunities with several accelerator programs such as iLab and Muru-D even though he had to invest his own money and study remotely.

Feel free to engage with Nkosana through his linkedin page on our shownotes at Studentpreneur.com.au.

Tips:

- As a student you have access to internet for free on all campuses in the world through Eduoram

- Join accelerator programs to be with other entrepreneurs

- Managing studies and business: It’s a matter of what your priorities are.

- Use flipboard to curate your reading.

- Reach out to potential mentors on LinkedIn (be interesting)

- Each single minute counts, be very disciplined about what you do.

Uni to support you:

- Foster more collaborative work between various faculties

Book:

-Rich Dad poor Dad

Quote:

- “People say to drop out of uni to run your business but University is key part of where I got today: the people I met, the support I got, it’s very valuable”

Links:

Shanda Website: www.shandaenterprises.com

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/nkosanahmafico

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nkosana-Mafico/100484893632229

If you have what it takes you can apply to share your story on air: http://studentpreneur.com.au/pages/contact-form-guest/

In this episode I interview Steinar, the 2015 Global Student Entrepreneur of the Year. Check out what it takes…

Meet this week awesome studentpreneur: Steinar Henskes, 24 years old, Student in Business at University of Amsterdam and Entrepreneur at Bird Control Group, the Netherlands.

Wrap up:

Each studentpreneur's story is different and what works for some people doesn't for others, however I'd like to point out of few things in Steiner's journey that are similar to the studentpreneurs I have interviewed:

He may not have been an entrepreneur in high school but he was an elite athlete which has a lot of similitudes of being an entrepreneur. He lets himself try his options by taking gap years. He applies entrepreneurial thinking to his decisions such as going to universities to “divert risk”. He realises that the university environment and the startup environment influences each other, it’s the essence of being a Studentpreneur! For him too, you can’t do everything by yourself, you have to surround yourself with fellow entrepreneurs, aka mentors. So, he learns by talking to fellow entrepreneurs but of course a lot by doing too.

Book:

- The lean Startup by Eric Ries

- Venture deals by Brad Feld

Tips:

- Get a mentor

- Get into an accelerator program at the idea stage, you will get the most out of it

- In your pitch demonstrate the business is scalable and that you are capable of scaling it.

- Make a 3 year (business) plan with your mentor

- GET OUT OF YOUR OFFICE AND TALK TO OTHER ENTPREPRENEURS

Quote: Your first venture is essential to learn the basics of business and implement the lessons in the next one.

U support U:

Talk to people at Uni to get help in combining both: study advisor, entrepreneurship program…Be aware of the special programs available.

Studentpreneurs need to be recognised, to have a status like student athletes

Links:

LinkedIn: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/steinarhenskes

Twitter: @SteinarFinn

Company Twitter: @birdcontrolg

Website: http://birdcontrolgroup.com/

If you have what it takes you can apply to share your story on air: http://studentpreneur.com.au/pages/contact-form-guest/

Meet the energetic Jordan Agolli, host of the Teenage Entrepreneur Podcast.

Wrap up: He started a couple of businesses in High School. Then he tried University and decided against every one else’s advice to leave University. He created his podcast, which lead him to a lot of opportunities. From all the interviews that he did with almost 40 entrepreneurs what impresses him is that did not make any excuses. Nobody is perfect but they kept pushing. One of his tips is to find people who know what you don't and learn from them.

He stressed the importance of qualifying your mentors. Check what is the area of expertise of your mentor before taking her or his advice for gold. For more tips, check out his podcast, Teenage Entrepreneurs at http://www.teenpodcast.com/.

Contact Jordan at [email protected]

If you have what it takes you can apply to share your story on air: http://studentpreneur.com.au/pages/contact-form-guest/

Links: Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/teenpodcast Website: http://www.teenpodcast.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/jordan-agolli/68/469/863 Quote: You don’t have to be alone on your journey find a mentor to help you.

Meet this week awesome studentpreneur: Kishore Natarajan, 22 years old, Naval Architect student at IIT Madras and entrepreneur at HyperVerge, India.

Learn more about Kishore Natarajan on www.studentpreneur.com.au

Wrap up:

Each studentpreneur's story is different and what works for some people doesn't for others, however I'd like to point out of few things in Kishore's journey that are similar to the studentpreneurs I have talked to:

Contrary to a lot of Studentpreneurs Kishore wasn’t entrepreneurial before University. However he joined with interest the extra curriculum activities offered by the student interest groups. This is how he discovered a new field of interest and new friends. He and his teammates built their confidence by winning international student competitions. Thanks to that confidence they all agreed to not take the jobs they were offered, and instead focus on their business. Kishore and his team have found their alumni network very supportive in their journey, and also some key professors. Check your alumni network and contact them for your business!

Facebook: HyberVerge

LinkedIn: Kishore

Twitter: @hyperverge

Website: hyperverge.co

If you have what it takes you can apply to share your story on air. CLICK HERE

Meet this week awesome studentpreneur: Marie Schneegans, 21 years old, Student in Financial Engineering and Applied Economics at Paris Dauphine University and Goethe University and entrepreneur with Never Eat Alone in France

Wrap up:

Each studentpreneur's story is different and what works for some people doesn't for others, however I'd like to point out of few things in Marie's journey that are similar to the studentpreneurs I have interviewed:

Instead of keeping her ideas secret, she tells everyone about her project and try to meet as many people as possible by inviting them for lunch. She is in the mindset of “fake it until you make it” and that’s how she found a free place to run her project. She is opened to new adventures, new people: she got exposed to the Free Space concept while couch surfing in Cambodia and she won a seat in an incubation program Startuphouse in San Francisco by competing in Startup Bus hackaton . Finally Marie reminds us that it’s not always easy to be a student and an entrepreneur; there is no more free time to see her loved ones. The support from the people around her such as her mentor and her boyfriend is one answer but so is meditation. So give a go to meditation to help you with your mindfulness.

If you have a creative way to help Marie to manage her time post a comment on our FB page: facebook.com/thestudentpreneurpodcast.

The amazing French “etudiant-entrepreneur” status (Studentpreneur) in bullet points:

- Opportunity to run your own business instead of doing the compulsory 6 month internship.

- Free mentor (potentially an alumni of your uni!).

- Support network from a dedicated government organisation (PEPITE).

- Time adjustment and flexibility for your studies

- Same health cover has students

- Any student in France can apply: http://www.pepite-france.fr/

Book: Zero to One from Peter Thiel

Tips:

- Have a lunch with someone you don’t know (check her Never Eat Alone app)

- Be open to diversity in background and age

- If you want it you can do it

Links:

Startuphouse: http://startuphouse.com/

Startupbus: https://startupbus.com/

If you have what it takes you can apply to share your story on air: http://studentpreneur.com.au/pages/contact-form-guest/

Quotes:

• "Meditation is a tool that helps me be more focused."
• "Be open with different types of people, try to communicate with everyone."
• "Fake it until you make it."
• "I have no money so I had to find a way without money."

Meet this week awesome studentpreneur: Taj Pabari 15 years old, high school student at John Paul College and entrepreneur at Fiftysix, Brisbane, Australia.

Wrap up:

Each studentpreneur's story is different and what works for some people doesn't for others, however I'd like to point out of few things in Taj 's journey that are similar to the studentpreneurs I have talked to:

Very early on, at the age of 11, Taj saw an opportunity in the blogging industry and was not scared to reach out to big manufacturers. He never lost that ability to reach out to people, which helped him for his other venture. Entrepreneurship competitions such as Startup Weekend helped him meet his next co-funder and increased his network of mentors and persons of interest. He took his networking to the next level when building up his Linkedin profile and met a lot of investors and people happy to help this way. Don’t forget that people love to help young entrepreneurs, so if you put yourself on Linkedin, they will be able to find you! His failure re: importing from China is a very common one, so be careful when doing it. Finally, Taj stresses the importance to be involved in competitions and entrepreneurship programs such as the Foundation of Young Australians, so do like Taj and contact http://www.fya.org.au/ if you are in Australia or find similar programs in your country. Feel free to send me the name of the programs you found and I’ll post them on the Studentpreneur.com.au website.

U to support U: Schools should have “Communication Path”, to help students learn how to communicate, how to do public speaking.

Check Sir Ken Robinson’s TedX talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity?language=en

If you have what it takes you can apply to share your story on air: http://studentpreneur.com.au/pages/contact-form-guest/

Meet this week awesome studentpreneur: Elsa Shien, 30 years old, student in Finance and Accounting at Queensland University of Technology in Australia and entrepreneur at Shanghai Private Guide, China.

Learn more about Elsa Shien on www.studentpreneur.com.au

Wrap up:

Each studentpreneur's story is different and what works for some people doesn't for others, however I'd like to point out of few things in Elsa's journey that are similar to the studentpreneurs I have talked to:

Elsa built her fighting spirit through her difficult childhood in a little Chinese village without electricity and having to look after her siblings. She was the first of her family to go to University thanks to this fighint spirit. That spirit is mixed with curiosity which helped her take the "I have nothing to lose" concept to an all new level. Without speaking English she started working in an English oriented business and soon started her own venture, Shanghai Private Guide against all odds. She went through a lot of ups and downs, and even through some soul searching travel after her first university. Her positive mindset helped up push on and now she is studying overseas without any help from her parents but herself and her team in Shanghai. Follow Elsa's advice, go travel to a developing country, spend some time there and you will have another perspective on the world.

Youtube:

- Shark Tank

- Small Business videos

Tips:

- Keep trying, as a student you have nothing to lose.

- Keep asking questions to people who know and do not care about what other people think about you

- Meditate through yoga! "Ask your heart what you really want with yourself"

- Go spend some times in poor countries to help you gain focus in your life.

Links:

- Facebook Page

- Elsa's website: http://www.shanghaiprivateguide.com/

Meet this week awesome studentpreneur: Leo Lope Lofranco, 22 years old, student in Biology at Ateneo de Manila and entrepreneur at Project Mercury, Philipines.

Wrap up:

Each studentpreneur's story is different and what works for some people doesn't for others, however I'd like to point out of few things in Leo Lope Franco's journey that are similar to the studentpreneurs I have talked to:

Leo wasn't destined to be an entrepreneur, after all that's not what one does in the Philippines. Also, biology students are expected to go to Med school. Well, as you have realised, the supporting environment is essential: in Boston he tried a Startup Weekend which changed his mindset and perspective on the world. He learned that startups are multi disciplinary projects and that he had to learn new skills, such as coding. He benefitted a lot from events and from the GSEA competition. So get involved in such competition whatever field you are in and you might end up as a business owner down the track.

Tips:

- Share with everyone, especially your professors, your idea in the infant stage for validation purposes.

- Take advantage of free online courses (MOOCS)

- Attend Startup Weekend and the Global Student Entrepreneur Award

Learn more about Leo Lope Franco on www.studentpreneur.com.au

If you have what it takes you can apply to share your story on air: http://studentpreneur.com.au/pages/contact-form-guest/

Meet this week awesome studentpreneur: Samuelle Dimairho student in Accounting at the Online University of Oxford Brook, UK, and entrepreneur at Aura Group in Zimbabwe.

Each studentpreneur's story is different and what works for some people doesn't for others, however I'd like to point out of few things in Samuelle Dimairho's journey that are similar to the studentpreneurs I have talked to:

He started 20 different ideas to to succeed a couple of times, he is another example of starting fast and failing fast. Also he has been a big reader from very early on, which is how he changed his mindset to become an entrepreneur. He listens to a lot of audiobook while commuting so no excuse if you don't have time to read books, you can listen to them. He started very early, at 14, doing internship from which he gained professional experience but also made a lot of connections, that's how he started his network. As always mentors play a great role in his entrepreneurship journey, he has several who have different areas of expertise. He met his first one at church, you never know where your first mentor will come from. Finally he really enjoyed the Global Student Entrepreneurship Award competition where he met likeminded studentpreneurs and mature entrepreneurs. So apply now at GSEA.org.

Book:

- Rich dad, poor dad (Robert Kiyosaki)

- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen Covey)

Tips:

- Share with everyone, especially your professors, your idea in the infant stage for validation purposes.

- Take advantage of free online courses (MOOCS)

- Attend Startup Weekend the Global Student Entrepreneur Award

Meet this week awesome studentpreneur: Ulixes Hawili, 19 years old, student in Mathematics and Economics at the University of Tampa, Florida and representing the team Tembo Education Group, one of the 6 finalists of the Hult student entrepreneur competition.

Wrap up:

Each studentpreneur's story is different and what works for some people doesn't for others, however I'd like to point out of few things in Ulixes Hawili's journey that are similar to the studentpreneurs I studied in my research:

Ulixes gives us a great example on how building a business can make the connection between what you learn in class, such as economics for him, and the real world: improving education in sub-Saharan regions of Africa. Once again mentors are enablers. Ulixes mentions a lot of professors as mentors and he reminds us all that professors are happy to help, especially if you put yourself out there, wanting to improve yourself. Finally, none of it would have been possible for Ulixes and his team if he hadn't attended that presentation about the Hult competition. So be curious and check out the non curriculum presentations and activities on campus!

If you have what it takes you can apply to share your story on www.studentpreneur.com.au