How to run your own business: Tips from Cardiff students who’ve done it

Students are known for their multitasking abilities. It takes no ordinary human to wake up 10 minutes shy to the lecture and still make it on time. Being a student entrepreneur, however, is a whole different ball game. We asked Cardiff’s student entrepreneurs their top tips to running a business.

First, meet the entrepreneurs

We spoke to seven previous and present Cardiff students who have taken the leap and started their own businesses. First, we spoke to 22-year-old Social Sciences graduate, Isobel Mcallister, founder of jewellery brand Giddy Friday.

Next up was Poppy Elliott, a 22-year-old Social Sciences graduate who begun Fleur Studios, a thriving nail studio in Cardiff city centre.

Our third business owner, currently studying in Cardiff University, Molly-Ann Hopkins is a 21-year-old passionate vegan entrepreneur and a the founder of Plant Fragrance which sells vegan perfumes.

Next, currently studying in Cardiff University, Molly-Ann Hopkins is a 21-year-old passionate vegan entrepreneur and a the founder of plant fragrance which sells vegan perfumes.

Then we have 23-year-old Emma Key, a third year biology student at University of South Wales and the founder of Emma Handmades, an online handmade jewellery store.

Ben Shread-Hewiit studies Sustainability, planning and environment policy at Cardiff University and is passionate to reduce the carbon footprint of the world. His company BioChar Solutions aims at helping the world become a better place to live in.

Our next entrepreneur is 21-year-old  Jess Harris, the founder of Spooky Designs is currently studying Music at Cardiff University.

Our final entrepreneur is Leah Staff, a 21-year-old student at University of South Wales studying hair and makeup for TV and Arts Industry. She is the founder of Dolly’s Daisies which makes and sells resin arts and gifts.

We asked some of Cardiff’s entrepreneurs for their top tips for running a business, and here’s what they said….

You’ve got to have a passion for it

Most of our business people have turned their “passion into trade”. Online jewellery store owner, Emma, says that “being passionate about what you do keeps you motivated.”

Your business must solve a problem for consumers

When asked about the best tip for getting business ideas, Fragrance business owner Molly believes,  “ideas should aim at solving immediate problems.”

From selling cheaper eco-friendly products to working towards reducing carbon footprint, solving a consumer problem is at the core of any business idea.

Make sure you know your customer

“People need to believe in what you have to offer to them. It is hard to do but sales start rolling when this happens.” says Giddy Friday owner, Isobel. Jess and Emma added “know what the customer needs. They mostly come with ideas in their heads already.”

Knowing your customer is vital to success. Use social media to get feedback so you can tailor your products to the wants and needs of your customer.

Get yourself out there

Isobel, Emma, Jess and Leah advise to “post on social media regularly.” As a small business owner it is highly recommended to have accounts across all social media platforms; Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, an independent website, even having your own blog.

Ranging from interactive stories to displaying a product picture, from screenshots of feedback texts to posts about collaboration, your social media should have it all. Spooky Designs owner, Jess, also believes, “if not for social media, running a business in Covid times would be a disaster.” Isobel, Poppy and Jess confirm that “social media accounts brings us most of our audiences.”

It goes without saying, social media is vital to a modern business. You can form a massive client base off your phone and target the right content to please the customer.

‘You just have to be shameless’

Getting investments for businesses is not easy. BioChar Solutions creator, Ben, told The Cardiff Tab, “I went knocking doors to get my work done. You just have to be shameless. Get all the help you need even when you don’t find any.”

Every business requires a certain capital to begin, the grander your idea the more capital you need. Running door to door to investors pitching the same idea in almost the same way is tedious and might seem like adding a little humiliation, but if you don’t try you don’t get, right? Always keep your goal in mind.

It will be hard, but don’t give up

Student life is a herculean task in itself. Loaded with assignments and projects, working two part-times, managing a social life, taking care of your mental health, this without a doubt is a pro level game. But when passion exceeds beyond capacities and ideas begin oozing out of your brain, going ahead with it should be the only option even if means sacrificing a little here and there. Molly believes exactly this, saying, “it is bound to get difficult, give it a go, don’t stop.”

Start small

Fleur Studios owner, Poppy, told The Cardiff Tab, “I began only as an Instagram account in 2018, today I got a studio with a team of 10.” Many of our entrepreneurs advocate the fact that businesses don’t churn a million dollars on day 1, you have to work towards it. You have to start small to learn the ropes, it’s all a learning curve.

Take the leap

There’ll always be things that can hold you back from starting your own business: busy schedules, inadequate capital, fear and many others. Spooky Designs owner, Jess, told The Cardiff Tab, “Don’t hold back. It is worth the risk.” It’s all about trusting yourself and your idea. When starting a business, it’s very hard work. You will come across hurdles, but you’ll only get as much out of it as you put in.

Be prepared to fail

All our entrepreneurs say that they fear failing but hurdles are an inevitable part of running a business. “I didn’t have enough money to begin my business” BioChar Solutions creator, Ben, told The Cardiff Tab, adding that “many of my ideas failed”.

“Everything had to slow down because of the pandemic”, Fleur Studios owner Poppy told us. One of the key tips our entrepreneurs gave us was to never give up. You will fail sometimes, and it is just part of the game. At that point, it’s time to reassess your strategy, see where you can improve, and move forward from there.

Lastly, love what you do

A key to making your business successful is to love what you’re doing. “I love making art, so I don’t get exhausted even when I am stressed working for many days continuously.” Dolly’s Daisies owner Leah told The Cardiff Tab.

Plant Fragrance owner, Molly, claims “my love towards animals is beyond imagination, so I keep thinking about the alternate products and it doesn’t stress me at all.” You know what they say, love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.

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