Plymouth entrepreneur and billionaire, Chris Dawson, is the latest guest of the Plymouth College Entrepreneurial Society. The former market trader, who founded the ever expanding The Range stores, spent an hour dipping in and out of his rags to riches story and hosting a Q&A session with the students.
The hugely engaging businessman told the students how he made his first sale at the age of 7 and has never looked back, despite only learning to read in his 20s. He spent many years wheeling and dealing on market stalls, inevitably being likened to TV character, Del Boy.
He opened his first store in 1989 and now employs 5,000 staff across more than 90 outlets. He said being a success is all about dreams and being able to really imagine the moment you achieve what you want. He said that he never sees risk, only opportunity.
As both students and speaker warmed to their tasks, questions about failure, burning out and ‘tax management’ were answered with a lot of humour and great banter. Year 11 pupil, John Alao, welcomed Chris and chaired the Q&A session.
With a parting message of ‘Do what you’re good at, not what you’re told to do’, Chris has vowed to come back to the school in a few months’ time to see what the students have done to get closer to realising their dreams.
Plymouth College students were joined for the Chris Dawson talk by pupils from Plymouth High School for Girls and Dartmoor Community College. Coming soon to the Entrepreneurial Society are Neil Stallard, MD of Alpha Logic, on 6 March and James Brent, Plymouth Argyle Chairman, on 19 March. All Plymouth schools are welcome. For more information and to book places, please contact Aaron Summons by email [email protected]
