tips-for-young-entrepreneurs money entrepreneurs Virgin Media

Many people would love to be their own boss and start up a business, but how would you go about it? Tim Campbell, who won the very first series of The Apprentice, is keen to help young entrepreneurs and has set up a charity, The Bright Ideas Trust, to offer financial support and advice to young people setting up enterprises, because, lets face it, it’s not without it's challenges.

Tim has kindly teamed up with Virgin Media to give you some tips to help you on the way:

Ideas: The light bulb moment

• Do you have a good idea for your business? If so you are already half way there.


• You don't need to spend ages thinking of something revolutionary, simple ideas can also lead to success.


• The best ideas come from something you're passionate about. Fellow entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson started out at 16-years-old by setting up Student Magazine. Do you have a favourite hobby that could turn into a business idea?


• Be realistic about your idea. You'll probably be studying or working at the same time as developing your business, so you need to make sure you have enough time to dedicate to the project, especially if you have assignments to get in on time.


• If you’ve got a great idea why not enter Virgin Media Sparks, a competition giving commerce-savvy youngsters the chance to pitch their best online business idea. Visit virginmedia.com/sparks for further details. Alternatively download the following entry form and send to virginmediabusiness@ptarmiganpr.co.uk by Friday 2nd May.

Check out our preview of The Apprentice and meet all the contestants.