*Grant is a finalist in the 2011 IWCYC Challenge - click here to read more*

Past

Born in 1991 in South Shields, Tyne and Wear in the North East of England, I’ve led very much a normal life. My home is in a small town named Hebburn not too far from Newcastle and I lived there for 18 years with my Mam, Dad and Brother.  Despite having a normal upbringing I’ve always felt a little different. In fact I’ve always believed I was going to do something big in life, I have never known exactly what or even how, but I just had this weird feeling that I would be successful and I still have this feeling to this very day.  I attended Hebburn Comprehensive School which I loved. I’m academic, but not gifted and I have to work bloody hard to achieve good results. I haven’t always had an interest in business like many entrepreneurs will claim they’ve had, no I wasn’t selling sweets at age 10, I was enjoying my childhood, playing for a football team, playing with the kids next door, looking back I wouldn’t change anything.  I believe entrepreneurs are made and anyone can do it no matter what their upbringing, YOU just have to believe.

Present
In 2010, I’ve flown the nest as it were and moved to Manchester to really start making my dreams become reality. I attend The National Enterprise Academy founded by entrepreneur and Dragons Den star Peter Jones. I developed a passion for business at the end of secondary school and went on to study Business and Management as part of The International Baccalaureate at Newcastle College. My business teacher ‘Aaron Brownlees’ was fantastic and I owe a lot of what I know today to him, his passion for the subject was infectious and I added that to my own drive and determination and because of that, I now know what I want in life and have a rough idea of how I’m going to get it! The NEA has already opened up so many opportunities for me, having pitched in front of Kirsty Henshaw of Worthenshaws (one of Peter Jones’ latest investments) and Claire Young (finalist of the Apprentice) my confidence and sheer determination to succeed grows stronger by the day. Being surrounded by many like minded young people provides me with the perfect competitive business playground and boy do I love to play in it.

I’m currently in the process of setting up my own marketing business whilst at the NEA with the assistance of some great business tutors and mentors. 

Future
My mission in life is to create a life for myself and my family that is comfortable, no financial worries or troubles. Of course I don’t believe for one second that money is the most important thing in life, health for me is priceless and no amount of money can ever buy perfect health. All I can do is hope that the future is kind to me, my friends and family.