MARIA-GIULIA B, YEAR 12

Many thanks to all the contributors to this immersive and insightful business event in Paris last Monday, 25 February 2024.

It was such a great opportunity to travel to Paris and participate at our first business conference in person.

Three successful and inspiring business leaders presented business principles using their own first-hand experience to encourage and help us students develop our understanding of Business Studies.

With …

Zakia Moulaoui Guery introducing to us her social enterprise #invisiblecities training people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city while raising awareness about social justice

….and…

Louis Barnett, one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom,, who launched his own business already at the age of 14, providing us with some useful wisdoms for building up our own start-up

…and last but least…

Kate Hardcastle, the highly respected businesswoman with award-winning successes in delivering commercial, partnership and ventures, talking to us about success, failure and resilience in business

… we got an authentic and holistic insight into business leaders’ work and careers.

It was interesting seeing their different ways of achieving success. Despite their very different lives and careers, they all had one thing in common: they are brave.

In this regard, I would like to share this short anecdote that occurred during the conference which really flipped a switch in my brain and surely will guide me in every future decision I will make:

Louis Barnett began his presentation by asking someone to come up to stage to help him introduce the topic he would be talking about. A torrent of whispers filled the room – nobody dared. Fair enough, there were more than 600 students watching. Suddenly, one participant stood up and walked up the stage. Louis took out a 20€ note and handed it to the student that was brave enough to go up the stage not knowing what would happen to him. He got the €20 while the rest of us were left empty-handed. I think in this moment most of the students regretted they did not go up to stage. It is not about the €20 we could have been richer, it’s about the feeling that we all knew we had missed an opportunity, a singular chance.

So, be curious, stand up and take action! (you will get rewarded...)

Some great take-aways not only for business but also for life, I think!