UK Micro Business Champion's Hull Double
Tony Robinson OBE, the micro business champion, was a Beverley Grammar School classmate of Sir Jim Ratcliffe*, the richest man in Britain, Chair and Owner of Ineos. He feels sure that Sir Jim would approve of him kicking off Global Entrepreneurship Week by presenting his 'Micro is Magic Show' at the Humber Street Gallery on 12th November then returning to the KCOM Craven Park Stadium to social media broadcast the fifth annual #MicroBizMatters Day** on 11th January 2019.
Robinson said "It may seem crazy to suggest that there is common ground between us in our very different entrepreneurial journeys - mine has been spectacularly unsuccessful in comparison with his. But we both gained postgraduate business qualifications which allowed us to have successful careers for large corporations which in turn gave us some assets which we then put on the line to start our own businesses - Sir Jim 26 years ago and me, 32 years ago.
I'd guess that we still enjoy sporting activities as much but that we're happy and proud that we've lived the majority of our adult lives controlling our own destiny in our own businesses. We owe a lot to Beverley Grammar School and those years between 11 and 19 in Hull, which gave us the formal and informal education to pursue fulfilling careers and enterprising lifestyles.
Starting and running a micro-enterprise (0-9 employees), as 96% of all businesses in the UK are doing, and running a massive, global Corporation as Sir Jim does, requires some of the same 'learning by doing' know-how.
As important, in all sizes of business, are the business owner's values. Sir Jim is quoted as saying 'Ineos is a friendly organisation. Very few people leave. It's collegiate. There's not much politics, and we like decent people. We don't like arrogance or bullies' and 'Growing Ineos has been a lot of fun'.
Robinson's 'Micro is Magic Show' conference talk is fun but the serious message for prospective and existing business owners is a better way than the American Way for most people in the UK to start up their own business, survive the initial three years and thrive in the long term. The show is based on extensive research, practical experience and interviews with over 2000 business owners, including many famous names that he has spoken with over three decades, including at the annual #MicroBizMatters Day which comes to Hull for the first time on Friday, January 11th 2019.
Robinson's talk is a #ThudYorkshire event, sponsored by the University of Hull, and is at the Humber Street Gallery at 6 pm on Monday 12th November. After his talk, 4 young people will get the chance to win £200 for their business idea. The event is free but booking in advance is necessary https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/listen-pitch-with-tony-robinson-obe-tickets-50846919505
Robinson says 'It's crazy really I haven't given a talk in the City I was brought up in for over 30 years, except at funerals, now I'll be at two amazing events there within 6 weeks. It's an honour and very exciting.'
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*Sir Jim Ratcliffe is the richest person in the UK, according to the Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated worth of £21.05bn
** #MicroBizMatters Day is the biggest annual social media event for micro businesses (96% of all businesses) in the world. Co-founded and co-hosted by Tina Boden and Tony Robinson OBE this day of recognition, action and learning is supported by national small business membership organisations. Business owners are asked to give a small amount of time to help another business owner. The day features 8 hours of live social media broadcasting and trends number one on Twitter. After 3 years in London, the day moved to Manchester this year and is hosted by the City of Hull on 11th January 2019. 2020 is from Preston.