When the opportunity to take part in the Company Programme at her school came about, Laura said she was keen to put herself forward and was also encouraged to take part by her business and economics teacher.
“It made me realise the ideas and innovation I have are important and valued and it’s put into my mind that I shouldn’t rule out things like running my own business in the future or being the CEO of a company because if I can do it here, then I can take those skills forward and use those in whatever I choose to do.”
Laura is a 17-year-old from Chesterfield, Derbyshire who from a young age has been interested in politics and serving her local community.
“From a very young age my family has been involved in politics. I began to pick up an interest in 2016 when I became a party member and began campaigning locally. I’ve always been a people person and have wanted to serve the community so I decided a great way of doing that would be through politics.”
When the opportunity to take part in the Company Programme at her school came about, Laura said she was keen to put herself forward and was also encouraged to take part by her business and economics teacher.
“I was very keen to take part as I knew that I would enjoy the opportunity to create a business of my own and be part of a team.”
As a natural leader Laura took on the role of Managing Director, leading her team to create the business – Urban Jars.
“We sold houseplants, cacti and succulents in recycled jars. We as a team wanted to keep the environment and climate change at the heart of our business so we created a plastic free, locally sourced jar that people could easily bring into their lives to make them a little greener.”
The team went on to win the Journey Award at the UK National Final – an award which recognises the team who has made the most transformational journey throughout the year.
Reflecting on the experience, Laura says the programme helped her broaden her horizons.
“It made me realise the ideas and innovation I have are important and valued and it’s put into my mind that I shouldn’t rule out things like running my own business in the future or being the CEO of a company because if I can do it here, then I can take those skills forward and use those in whatever I choose to do.”
But it wasn’t all plain sailing, halfway through the programme the team lost their Finance Director and Laura had to take on the responsibility. She says it was difficult but in hindsight a great learning experience.
“I wouldn’t say I am bad with finances, but I’d never really been put in a situation where I had to deal with it. Now coming out of it – I am completely comfortable with dealing with those kinds of things.”
Laura says she also recognises the benefit of having opportunities like Company Programme available to all young people.
“You have people like me who are quite vocal and happy to speak my opinion but we also had quiet team members. I know for them especially, speaking to customers, or speaking to judges at competitions, in videos and things like that gave them confidence. Without the platform and support of Young Enterprise there are young people who feel undervalued and like their opinion doesn’t matter and that they aren’t of an innovative generation or they aren’t of an enterprising generation when actually that is not the case.”
In the future Laura plans to pursue her passion and is hoping to attend the London School of Economics to study Politics and International Relations and then go on to for work the Government. However, she says the Young Enterprise experience has definitely “opened my eyes” to thinking maybe the dream of running a family business is something to take forward.
Laura also plans to stay in touch as an advocate of YE and has already signed up help run the Company Programme next year at her school.
“Opportunities like Young Enterprise are vital for young people. It enables them to grow and innovate under the protection of the scheme – it gives them freedom but also support when they need it to face challenges. I think what’s got to be recognised is that young people are the future of the country and the world and with experiences like these they are able to learn and develop and grow so that we can become a generation to takeover really!”