Building Blocks for Fast-growing Training Centres - BRITEthink

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Robert Mitton, Co-Founder of BRITEthink, located in London, UK.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

BRITEthink aims to help solve global digital skills shortages in adults. We initially set up the business as a vocational training centre in the UK. Now we work with partners internationally to help them set up, mostly delivering digital skills, cybersecurity, and IT courses. At the moment, we are working with educational providers in Ghana and Oman.

Tell us about yourself

The internationalisation side of the business came from my love of helping people in developing communities and my love of travel and experiencing different cultures. I started my career off working in the Travel sector and got to work in some amazing places across Europe and the Middle East when I returned to the UK; I felt a bit deflated but learned a lot of new skills while living overseas. This led me to work in university recruitment and followed into a career path in adult education training.

I then developed a love for tech. It was at a tech startup event in London where I met my co-founder, Augusto, an Argentine backpacking Europe. We knew we wanted to work together and kept in touch. A few years later, we were developing our first version of the business, which was supporting adult learners with entry qualifications to get them into university; the rest followed!

What motivates me each day is we make big differences in people's lives. I spoke to a learner in Nigeria last week, which we trained in digital skills and marketing; she can now set up her own social media campaigns for her fashion business.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Building confidence in myself and the team, taking that leap to walk into a room of senior people and sell the service at corporate and government levels. That takes time, and there is a process of taking away your nerves and speaking confidently. Also, understanding that you are you and how you talk and interact sells the service too.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Managing all the hats and understanding that sometimes you can't do all the fun stuff like the creative work, which I still try too. For me, it was understanding at the beginning that I am the accountant, the marketer, the business developer, the salesperson, and customer service. Understanding how to manage my time for all this and still giving myself time off for my well-being - I did not manage the latter in the beginning. Now, I take this seriously and enjoy my weekends for sports and friends.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Be yourself - you are you, and that sells.
2. Tell your story and how you got to where you are.
3. Make sure you put yourself first.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.britethink.co/assessment
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britethink/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-mitton-522a2260/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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