Did you always want to study Engineering?

For as long as I can remember I have always been interested in building, fixing and inventing things. I studied A levels in Physics, Maths and Technology & Design after which I decided to go on and do a Masters degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. I picked this course because it covered a diverse selection of engineering disciplines in which I could gain knowledge and experience and therefore have a wider range of career options, in particular because at this stage I was unsure of what career path I wanted to take.

I thought a Masters in Engineering would also offer me the opportunity to expand the existing engineering knowledge I had acquired and to learn about new disciplines and areas of expertise within the field. I also thought it would show me how to apply engineering principles to practical applications and the development of new products/devices.

Why have you decided to set up your own business rather than seeking a more traditional graduate role? Have you always wanted to set up your own business?

I wanted to set up my own business, as I had an idea for a device which can help greatly improve firearm safety and reduce the number of handgun deaths. I think this is such an important issue, and one which has long been of interest to me and therefore the idea was something that I felt passionately about developing.

It wasn’t until I was at the later stages of my engineering degree that I really considered setting up my own business, mainly because it wasn’t presented as one of the principal career paths suggested if you were studying engineering.

However, I have always been quite independent and wanted to do my own thing and the idea of working for someone didn’t really appeal. From a young age I have always invented new products and devices, but it wasn’t until a few years ago when the connection between designing/developing a new product and actually making a business out of it had become clear. I think this may be due to the education system where the natural progression from studying engineering is to get a job.  Gladly that tradition is now changing, and more engineering students are being presented and encouraged with the option of taking an idea and developing a business out of it, rather than just going and getting a job.

Since embarking on developing my business idea I have found the experience rewarding both in terms of job satisfaction, and hopefully in the long run financially, and found that this kind of work suited me better than a regular job. 

What is your business idea? Did you have the idea as part of your Engineering course? Where did the idea come from?

My business is called Zero-E Security, an instant user recognition device which permits access to the legitimate owner of the handgun, while preventing access to any unauthorised users. I was taught the importance of firearm safety by my father when I was young and since then have always had an interest in being able to find ways to mitigate the illegal use of firearms.

I developed a device to prevent access to a handgun when I was at Grammar School, this was just a basic prototype and then last year I came up with an instant user recognition device which will allow instant access to the legitimate user.

 The idea was an independent project I had been working on in my own time for a number of years, but it had sat undeveloped for a few years since I produced the first prototype in Grammar School.  I had always been thinking about how I could overcome the problem of secure, instant user recognition since my A-Level project.  I do believe the key to me coming up with a viable method was studying an engineering course, as I was in an environment where I was exposed to experts in a range of fields, as well being in the close vicinity of fellow engineers.  In the end it was an unrelated conversation that happened to spark an idea, leading to the solution I have today. 

What do you find challenging about being an entrepreneur?

 It takes determination and commitment to be a success in the business world, and it can be difficult at times to maintain motivation. I have found that developing a strong network is a key to being a successful entrepreneur, as well as having a solid support team behind you.

 What help have you received?

Over the last year I have taken part in a scholarship programme run by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) which has enabled me to develop my entrepreneurial skills, business idea and has put me in touch with leaders in the field of entrepreneurship.

The scheme is a year long programme, supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a leading US organisation that advances entrepreneurship, and as part of the scheme I spent six months in the United States.

The programme provides intensive training and is designed to help students and postgraduate entrepreneurs that have excelled in engineering, science and technology advance their business ideas and further their enterprise skills.

The training includes mentoring from experts in entrepreneurship, instruction on key enterprise skills and the issues to consider when setting up a business such as marketing, finance and intellectual property, as well as an internship with a US company and study visits to US universities, which this year included Harvard and Stanford.

How did the Fellows Programme help change your approach? What new skills did you gain?

Prior to the programme I had a product, but lacked direction with my business idea. Since participating in the scheme I have a greater understanding of the business world, and was able to revise and drill down my idea to ensure I can maximise its commercial potential and its social impact.

I learnt that who and what you know are important to being a successful entrepreneur, so it is important to build up a good bank of contacts and ensure that your idea is well researched, patent protected and you know your target audience.

What is your top advice for other aspiring entrepreneurs in engineering?

Engineering provides you with a number of skills which can be transferred in terms of setting up your own business, such as working as a team, leadership, creative thinking, high reasoning capability, risk assessment, numerical competency….the list goes on.  Quite frankly, I do believe that engineers have the potential to be the most successful entrepreneurs as they tend to have the creative talent, as well as having the ability to take an idea, develop it from the ground up, assemble and work with the right team to capitalise on the entrepreneurial venture.

If you have an idea for a business I would encourage you to research it to find out all you can about competitors, the market, and your target audience. It is useful to have support from an organisation such as the NCGE, as it can advise you of the essential steps you need to take, good contacts that will help your business.

Taking part in a programme like the Fellows has also put me in touch with a like minded group of entrepreneurs who I can turn to for support, but similar backing can be found at universities through entrepreneurial groups or perhaps people on your course.

Setting up a business is a long and challenging journey, but a very rewarding one, and one worth following.