Two different journeys. The same lesson.

Growing up, I didn't have much career guidance. I wanted to become a mechanic and work with my hands, but I was pushed towards the traditional route of university and a professional career.

I struggled with my A Levels, started a foundation degree in computing and dropped out after six months. I then paid to study Level 2 Plumbing and Heating at Amersham & Wycombe College, but couldn't find an apprenticeship and spent months being used largely as a labourer.

Then, by pure chance, I met a multi-trader working at my neighbour's house and shadowed him for around a year. He couldn't afford to keep me on, but the skills he taught me changed the direction of my life.

That one opportunity led me into retail installation for blue chip and luxury brands across the UK and Europe, and eventually to starting my own business around two decades ago.

I want my own children to surpass what I've achieved, but I don't want that opportunity to stop with my family. As the proverb goes, "It takes a village to raise a child." We want CareerLoop to become part of that village.

At around 17, studying for my A Levels during COVID, I couldn't find a normal part-time job. So I advertised tutoring locally, found my own students and reinvested what I earned into learning websites, digital marketing, branding and sales.

University connected me with a mentor, a startup founder who deepened my interest in entrepreneurship and led to an opportunity at an AI startup, where I progressed to Founding Operator. Along the way I also completed a placement in a global luxury brand's IT Finance team and helped build other startups. Today I work fractionally with multiple companies as a startup operator, and run my own ventures alongside it.

I'm 22, and much of that came because somebody gave me access. CareerLoop is the chance to pass that on at a much bigger scale.