Claire Young, 32, is the straight talking, no-nonsense business woman who is well known for reaching the final of series 4 of BBC1’s The Apprentice (2008) watched by over 11 million viewers.
Since then she has worked non-stop setting up numerous business ventures including schoolspeakers.co.uk and girlsoutloud.org.uk. She is passionate about promoting entrepreneurship and enterprise to our younger generation and founded TeenBiz, the UK’s first business start up scheme for under 18s. Claire works ‘hands on’ in schools (primary through to university age), and across multiple government organisations, helping students to raise aspirations, take off the blinkers and think big!
Why are you so passionate about youth enterprise?
Being an entrepreneur I take great satisfaction seeing an idea turn into reality. I see the same when I work with young people and within the space of a few hours can see raw talent flourish into something really productive! Students are the future of tomorrow’s business world and we need to give them chances to grow, develop and flourish. If SME growth stops in this country we are stuffed!
You were on ‘The Apprentice’ in 2008. What lessons did you learn from the show? Both business orientated and personally.
Before The Apprentice I’d always worked for someone so the biggest change for me was deciding to turn down job offers and start my first venture. Being your own boss for the first time is a steep learning curve! Personally, I learnt a lot from Lord Sugar, I learnt to listen more (after various telling offs in the boardroom!) and enjoyed learning about a new industry – the media world.
Tell us about “School Speakers, Girls Out Loud and TeenBizUK”. What are your goals with these projects?
School Speakers is a one stop shop for teachers to find over 165 speakers who deliver talks, workshops and enterprise days across the curriculum. Girls Out Loud is a social enterprise working with teens 13-18 on a mission to raise aspirations and think big! TeenBiz is the UK’s first business start up scheme for under 18s and we aim to help start over 100 entrepreneurs over the next 3 years.
How do you define success?
Success for me is ending each day knowing I’ve enjoyed my work, made a difference and hopefully grown my business a little – small steps!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I would like to working in more of a political role or living abroad, some sunshine would be nice!
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