All About Josef

I am always inspired by entrepreneurship and courage and today a fine example of both is my friend Josef Valentino.  Josef is an artist and film maker in his early 20s, he is a man of many  gifts, I admire his guts and his tenacity for he is not afraid of taking risks and asking for what he wants and at the same time, grabbing an exciting adventure in the process.  A born creative entrepreneur.

Josef’s latest project  #averagejoe – to win the Damian Hirst Spot Challenge has him on a flight to New York  (as I write) at the start of his epic journey to various destinations across the globe to win a Damian Hirst signed print.   Josef has galvanised himself in no small measure in a very short space of time in pursuit of his goal.   He has made a short film to illustrate what he is up to,  had a journalist write an article about the idea on the Huffington Post  (where you can see the short film which explains all).    Josef is and has been seeking help from friends and kind benefactors who will assist him on his mission with bed and board, contributions to air fares and, in return, he will be giving those kind people a work of art from him as well as a share in the Damian Hirst.

I am today reminded of that (alleged) golden quote by Goethe

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back.  Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

Josef – may the force be with you my friend!

Bumping into The Apprentice

So there I was last week on my way to the Apple Store, waiting for the Clapham Omnibus for what seemed like an ice age on this cold December morn.   I usually always have fascinating experiences either in the Apple Store or on the same day that I visit them.  I am a frequent visitor there as you will see.   I noticed a young lady also waiting at the bus stop and engaged her in conversation about the buses as we had both been there for some time at this point.

We got on the bus and sat down together.  I didn’t recognise her at first, not until she told me her name, I should have spotted her because I must have seen almost every episode of The Apprentice since the show started airing.  This young lady was Michelle Dewberry winner of the same in 2006.

What an impressive young woman she is!   I asked her what she was up to now and she was on her way to her consultancy work at Comic Relief.    She told me about her companies which I have since Googled The Daily Chic and Like Bees.  The Daily Chic has all the latest buying deals in one place on one website.   Like Bees is more for families offering discounted activities.   What a serial entrepreneur!  I am always so impressed with creative people who seem to have ideas that just ooze out of them 24/7.

Go Michelle!