The first idea for Sugru came about whilst I was studying design at the RCA in London. I soon worked out that I had no interest in making a new chair or new lamp when there’s already too much of that stuff in the world anyway. I wanted to make something that allowed other people to be designers, something that would enable others to fix and redesign things to work better for them. I’ve always been quite a hands on person but the thought of people who traditionally see themselves as ‘being no good at DIY’, using Sugru to easily repair stuff rather than it going straight to landfill was, and still is, hugely exciting.
Currently, Sugru has just launched at Walmart Canada
What three pieces of advice would you give to college students (young and old) locally or internationally who want to become entrepreneurs?
-Start small and make it good. This was a great piece of advice a friend gave me whilst I was starting up.
-Instinct is important but make sure you read up on everything relevant. Become an expert.
-Be clear about your mission. As you build a team around you it will be vital that you’re all on the same path.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Very little. Failing is a huge part of learning.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Curiosity is at the heart of building and growing. Stay curious.
Dedication to the cause is a no brainer. If you know you’ve given it your all then it’s fair to hope for a bit of luck and some good timing to really kick things off.
Communicating with different audiences is essential - investors, partners, staff, press… the list goes on. Getting people to engage with your idea, product or service all hinges on your interactions with others.
