Barnsley College’s iTrust students who are setting up their own businesses have had the chance to talk to John Lamerton, self-made millionaire, author and lifestyle business expert.
John’s virtual workshop was packed with hints, tips and expert information as he discussed lifestyle businesses and their benefits to the young entrepreneurs.
John shared his personal experience of setting up and managing several lifestyle businesses after becoming run down, stressed and unhappy in his 9-5 office job. He also explained the importance of working hard and showing commitment to a business model while not seeing success in yachts and supercars but instead in happiness and the ability to not wait until retirement to take a break and enjoy hard-earned money.
Insightful industry knowledge was also shared with the students, including how to compete in the business field on experience instead of price, build loyalty with customers and like-minded professionals, take every opportunity available and avoid being driven by numbers and the size of a corporation.
John said: “As a society, we have too often been trained and conditioned to believe business is designer clothing, huge skyscrapers and helicopters when in fact, business is the business owner delivering the lifestyle they want through a business that they have designed.
“The reason I think it’s so important to tell others about this is because I personally embarked on a path chasing money and the prestige lifestyle before realising it wasn’t delivering the lifestyle I wanted, and I was unhappy.” Barnsley College’s iTrust programme is an entrepreneurial initiative which allows students who are interested in setting up their own business to receive a wealth of support. This includes access to an array of information and guidance such as mentoring from industry specialists and local business representatives. The programme also offers the opportunity to receive a £250 grant to be invested in each student’s business.
Magdolna Vajo, current Level 3 Photography student and part of the iTrust programme, said: “I think it’s important that young people who want to start a business hear about lifestyle businesses. John is an experienced and successful person; he is a great example to young entrepreneurs.
“I enjoyed and appreciated everything he said and showed us of his life. I particularly liked the part when he said that in a lifestyle business you do what you enjoy the most, and you will find the audience anyway. He motivated me too; I know we must work really hard to be able to achieve what we want, but it will pay off in the long run. The messages he shared were really positive and I will definitely take his advice.”
Since his workshop, John has shared copies of his latest book, Big Ideas, with College students giving them the opportunity to read his expert view on growing small businesses.
If you are interested in providing a guest speaker session to Barnsley College students, contact the
Enterprise team by emailing: enterprise@barnsley.ac.uk.
