Co-owners of Target Student, Andy Francksen and Guy Thurlow talk in their blog about the value of learning from real life and building a start-up that is just the first step on an entrepreneurial journey
Real world learning
Although Andy Francksen and Guy Thurlow studied on the TE programme at different times, they connected when Andy used the TE network to find a business partner. Guy helped run the business and based his dissertation on it.
The flexibility of the course allowed Guy and Andy to complete research with industry and take the time to find gaps in the market to capitalise on those opportunities. Guy’s dissertation then became a living project, and in true entrepreneurial style, a start-up was born.
A life-changing lesson in growth
Both Andy and Guy describe their experience of UWE TE as life-changing.
“The most valuable learning for me was developing a growth mindset”
Andy Francksen
Guy loved that coaching was such a big part of the TE programme, although admits it took time to get used to it and see the benefits. He found real value in practice-based learning, developing real skills in the context of real business projects and saw the unique benefit of this opportunity in a safe space.
“The support from TE and UWE was amazing when setting up our business and since graduation. That’s very special and has been instrumental in getting us to this point”
Guy Thurlow
The value of giving back
Target Student is now the UK’s first digital advertising network in student halls, with big brand clients such as Disney, PureGym and Unilever. Andy and Guy reflect that they learnt so much in a very short space of time and the experience of studying and running a business is both challenging and rewarding.
“Our plan is to create, grow and sell a powerful and profitable business to give ourselves freedom to pursue other ventures in the future”
They are already giving back and helping less experienced employees to develop; something instilled in them on the TE programme. Both recognise the pivotal moment of raising an investment round and the validation that comes with realising the journey from being complete newcomers to having people invest their trust and funds.
Find out more – www.targetstudent.com