 Students from across the North-East got a rare opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the region's most successful entrepreneurs recently at a unique event laid on for enterprising young people. More than 200 students from the region's five universities were first inspired by Simon Woodroffe, founder of the Yo! group of companies and a former panellist on BBC TV's Dragon's Den. He was followed by a panel of members from the Entrepreneurs' Forum who answered questions and passed on words of wisdom to undergraduates aiming to start their own businesses or find work with entrepreneurial companies in the region. The panel comprised Forum board members Sir Peter Vardy, Paul Campbell of The Amazing Group, Simon Heptinstall of Storey Carpets, Tom Maxfield of Tom's Companies and vice-chairman Lorna Moran of NRG Group plc. They were joined by Brian Jobling of Eutechnyx, Will Dracup of Nonlinear Dynamics, Si Bales of The bgroup and Satish Sheworak of moShine Animation Studio. Some of the questions - and answers: Q: If you could go back in time to when you were a student, what is the one piece of advice you would give now?
A: Simon Heptinstall: Remain very focused on what it is that you want to do. Keep on revisiting it, keep on improving but retain that focus. I was once told that the difference between a good career and a great career is leaving unsaid two or three things a day that need saying. My view is if it needs saying, say it. A: Lorna Moran: Start with the end in mind. Know your vision and know where you are going. Dream a lot about what you want to be. All entrepreneurs have dreams and are never satisfied. Never don't take an opportunity, and don't sleep on it, take it now. A: Sir Peter Vardy: Never go into business with the idea of becoming a millionaire. Go into it because you want to be the best. If you do that, wealth will come as a result. The pursuit of wealth in itself will never satisfy you. Q: How do you keep the creative spirit going and not be swamped in National Insurance forms?
A: Satish Shewhorak: It can feel like you are being swamped, but there are three of us in our business and the other two are very creative. One of you might have to take the business role more than the others. Most people find it enjoyable in its own way. There are still plenty of ways to be creative. A: Paul Campbell: I have discovered that running a business is more creative than being creative. I used to make television programmes but I love doing what I'm doing now more. If you want to stay being creative, find someone to run the business for you so you can focus on your strengths. For more information on the Entrepreneurs' Forum visit www.entrepreneursforum.net | 
