Interview with Ainsley Gilkes with Youth 2 Youth

Fortunately##comma## that##aps##s not how it panned out! I was lucky enough to have some experiences and meet some people that would eventually steer me to start a business. Luckily##comma## I didn##aps##t have to do it alone##comma## and found a great business partner in Jessica Kiely (age 26)##comma## who has been a friend and mentor to me.

I pretty much had to learn as I went##comma## which was hard because in Australia there was no youth-specific services for young entrepreneurs. That is why one of Y2Y##aps##s projects provides those services – because we know they are needed by our peers!

My univeristy degree in Communications has also been very beneficial##comma## along with my ongoing committment to professional development and study!

What services or products does your organization offer?
Our company provides a youth to youth apporach to learning and connection##comma## that is##comma## it is a peer-based business created for and by young people.

Youth 2 Youth has 2 projects based on this concept. The first is the Y-Skills Program##comma## which are workshops for active citizens who need fast training in practical youth skills like PR##comma## event management and finance.

The second project##comma## and by far my favourite##comma## is Y-Biz Hothouse##comma## which caters for young entrepreneurs aged 12 to 30. Basically we have enterprise education workshops and news and events##comma## but they can also join our community of young people in biz. Members get access to info##comma## discussions##comma## a virtual marketplace##comma## awards and heaps more – both online and offline. Loads of fun.

We##aps##re located in beautiful Sydney##comma## Aunstralia.

What type of business or organization do you operate?
We##aps##re a partnership.

When we started out we really different have the funds to buy a shelf company##comma## or to start one##comma## so we chose this structure. And so far it has suited us fine!

How many employees do you currently have?
3 – but lots of contractors too!

How did you originally discover the idea for your organization?
We came up with the youth to youth concept very easily. Over about a year we then researched suitable projects and programs to apply this to.

Essentially##comma## we have filled several large holes in the Aussie market:
– lack of fast##comma## inexpensive skills training for young citizens
– lack of youth employment alternatives
– lack of youth-specific biz services
– lack of a peer approach that does not ##aps##talk down##aps## to young people
AND MORE!

It has been an amazing journey so far.

How did you originally fund your organization?
We initially used our personal savings. After that##comma## any profit we made was re-invested into assets like computers##comma## office equipment etc rather than paying ourselves a wage. We are now working towards paying ourselves back!

Are you the founder of your organization?
Yes##comma## with my business partner##comma## Jessica Kiely.

Do you believe there is any distinct culture within your organization? If so, please describe it.
Definitely.

Very funky##comma## fresh and youth-friendly.

All of our employees##comma## contractors and workshop facilitators are young people. Our web designers##comma## graphic designers##comma## everyone. Obviously##comma## this creates a great atmosphere##comma## which tends to be very social.

Working at Youth 2 Youth is like hanging out with your mates. It just so happens they are as ambitious##comma## talented##comma## business-oriented and fun as you are!

What obstacles or challenges have you faced in your organization?
As a young entrepreneur##comma## there are some definite obstacles.

I think for a while our fiends and family didn##aps##t take us seriously##comma## so we just ignore them and carried on. That was the right choice! Now they are lining up for autographs! Just kidding.

Money was another big issue. My business partner had another business so she juggled wokring on both to keep her own income stream going. I was not so lucky##comma## and had to work pretty much full time in Marketing and do the biz every night or on weekends. Of course##comma## you can##aps##t go one forever like that##comma## so I quit and now work full time on the biz. It was a risky jump though – from big salary to none! But our savings really were what got us started.

The final thing really was the lack of resources. We begged and borrowed for our first computers##comma## stationery##comma## etc. We just made do with what we had. Looking back##comma## I have no idea how we managed it – at one stage we were working out of Jessica##aps##s bedroom with one old computer and nothing else. I guess that proves you really can make something out of nothing – we tunred our ideas into services rather than use anything we had to buy!

Did you accept any advice along the way? Do you believe new organizations should be open to such advice?
Crucial.

Luckily##comma## we have some great mentors and business advisers. I think the most important thing is to find people who understand your vision and are as passionate to make it happen as you are.

As a young entrepreneur##comma## peer role models were also an inspiration – knowing that other young people were out there who were just like us!

Did you receive any help along the way from other businesses or organizations? If so, how and from whom?
Not so much organisations as it is relationships that have got us off the ground. We are big networkers##comma## which has really helped out business grow. A supportive network provides advice##comma## favours##comma## a hand-up##comma## and refers you on!

What have been the keys to success in your business? What do you believe are the keys to success?
1. Risk-taking
2. Pure passion for what we do
3. Determination and hard slog
4. Supportive network and family
5. A unique##comma## amazing concept

What kind of relationship do you establish with your customers or clients?
We currently have no direct competition in Australia##comma## which puts us is a unique position to be become the brand leader in a national market.

What types of marketing do you employ?
I actually think PR has helped us more that marketing##comma## especially as we have built great relationships with the government##comma## business##comma## not-for-profit and education sectors.

But##comma## marketing-wise##comma## I think I would have to say that word of mouth referrals; direct mail and online marketing have been our three keys.

Do you employ any web or online marketing?
Of course. Our generation is very technology savvy – how can it not?

We have an evolving web site which forms a core part of our business. We also use online banking and bill-paying with our contrators.

And of course##comma## we are email maniacs!

What role does trust play in business or in your organization?
Yes##comma## lots. Which I believe is all part of the journey and makes us stronger.

Most of them have been to do with little experience or trusting people too much with our ideas!

Did you struggle with starting your own organization or venture? Why did you decide to begin on your own?
No. Though I wish I had!

Then again##comma## starting at 19 ain##aps##t bad!

What books or resources would you recommend for individuals starting off now?
Online resources are great cause they are quick and easy and you don##aps##t need to read the whole book to find what you want. I would suggest Government materials and youth-specific materials if you are a young entrepreneur.

Do you notice any trends in the marketplace? If so, what are they?
More young entrepreneurs.

More small##comma## home-based business.

More socially responsible business.

Do you believe networking and contacts are important? If so, how?
Very essential. Join a club or go to an event at least once a month!

What do you think about contracts and other legal obligations? Are they important in your business?
Take up opportunities and you are guaranteed to get something out of it!

If there is one thing that would sum up your advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be?
I gained probably 50% from my degree and 50% from experience. I think it depends on what learning style the person has.

What, if any, final advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?
1. Take up opportunities
2. Take risks while you are young
3. Turn passion into action!