Written by our Product Development Apprentice – Amy Howard
After another successful Dragons Den, we had a few minutes to catch up with Jenny Garbis, former contestant on The Apprentice! Here’s what she had to say…
- Given your experience on The Apprentice – what is the best piece of advice you could give to our hopeful Reboot Camp™ candidates?
Firstly, I’d say to make sure candidates have researched companies thoroughly and know what the company specialises in. Secondly, don’t be scared to put things into action, this is how things get done in business. Follow up a company once you have sent them an email even if they don’t reply, this shows initiative. Make sure your ideas are well researched and put these ideas into action, but make sure you understand your market! Just go for it. Never make excuses if something goes wrong, you simply should have done more research! Self teaching puts you one step ahead of the game, so do this as much as you can to put you in a better position than other candidates.
- Achieving the highest grades in your year for your Business Studies course is pretty impressive. How did you do it?
I self taught and attended lectures & tried to work ahead. I started working at the age of 12 and I feel like this has driven me to be a motivated person, which has really helped in my studies. I made use of my time effectively, I didn’t play by the rules and I went with my instinct. With this advice in mind I left uni and completed my exams and coursework 3 months early and still got highest grades in my year …. All whilst holding down three jobs!
- What do you want to do next with your new 1st Business degree under your belt?
At the moment I’m working at a tech start up, eventually I’d love to own my own business. But at the moment I am just building partnerships, achieving sales within a tech start up – which is really enjoyable and a great way to kick start my career.
- What is your opinion on the University vs. Apprenticeships debate?
Although I went to University, I don’t think it’s necessary to do a degree. I hated my first year of Uni and even moved to a different University. When I went to Bournemouth I enjoyed it so much more. I found it more practical and even published my own book (based on my dissertation). But then again, Uni can be really useful. It was whilst I was at Uni that I made my business plan and that was something that was really valuable to me.
- Where did the inspiration for your book ‘How to Fund a Startup: Renewable Energy’ come from?
From my business idea! Renewable energy is a big market and something I feel passionate about. My business idea was the main inspiration for my book, which was mostly taken from my dissertation. It was originally quite long so I made it much shorter and into an E-book which people can buy online.
- Do you plan to take action on your wish to be involved in politics one day?
Yes! I feel very strongly about renewable energy and it’s something I would like to enforce nationally in the future. A while ago I tried to get into politics but I could only find an unpaid internship, which isn’t something I was prepared to do. I believe that whatever you’re doing, you should be paid for doing it.
- If you had your own business – would you hire an apprentice? If so, why?
Yes! But I would want to find the right person who would add value to my business and I would want to be able to reward them well. I want to be able see great results from an apprentice and watch them develop.
- What do you think some of the benefits to businesses hiring Apprentices could bring?
I think they would bring something new and something more interesting. I like that they can earn practical work experience at the same time as earning a wage. It’s good to know what an apprentice has changed about a former company and what they can do for the new company when hiring an apprentice and it’s great knowing that young people have changed businesses for the better!
- What are your long-term career goals?
I would love to be a renowned entrepreneur and of course … WORLD DOMINATION!
- Do you have an example of how you have failed but turned it around into something positive?
Well, I got fired after week 3 of The Apprentice and didn’t learn very much at the time but after watching it back I could see that I needed to learn how to lead a room of leaders. I need to improve translating my ideas from my head into words. This is really valuable to me seeing as I want to change the way people think about renewable energy!
- What do you think is the 1 thing/most important employers look for when hiring a new employee/interviewing someone?
I recently read an article I particularly agree with – always follow your passion. So I think employers look for someone dedicated to their job area, who really love the role they are going for, together with drive and ambition. You can’t teach drive and ambition, you’ve either got it or you haven’t. I think that this is really important when employing somebody.