University of Life
What's this about?
Inspiration from an Entrepreneur, though not through emphasising the dizzy heights associated with Board room meetings etc - been there done that. This is all about bringing it down to street level, presenting someone approachable, attainable (a Role model for aspiring Non Graduate young adults wishing to get ahead)
I know that those rocky paths - just like my own, given the right influences, can have a leaning (or a tendency) towards successful results - they're almost a natural qualification for some. I call this the 'University of Life'. The problem is - those individuals don't come labelled, and some are very unsuspecting; i.e. my comments on the site regarding kids that originate from turbulent childhoods. But nonetheless, It's a fact that shouldn't be ignored - a great number of the worlds best known Entrepreneurs are non graduates that have indeed come from those same troubled childhoods - the need to fight and to be strong at such an early age - a contributing factor breeding resilience and determination to succeed.
It's easy to find synergy with this in the United States, I'm keen to develop relationships on that side of the pond. The transatlantic influences are strong and beneficial (I don't just mean my own well documented love for the States). The United States seems to be more attune to establishing the winning mind set - i.e. You'll never hear an American calling failure - deferred winning (like they're starting to in the UK) that's not to say that there shouldn't be good sportsmanship shown for 'second place' but let's call it what it is, and teach young people how to deal with life, instead of allowing schools to cancel competitive sport (1000 schools +) - thus deepening the divide between the academically aware and those other youngsters whom would have otherwise found respect, gained self esteem and accomplishment by succeeding via other channels. Growing up should include being taught to strive to be the best one can.
I've honed my efforts on an area that I know well and of course feel extremely passionate about - Nurturing this raw passion in the great unwashed! No, I mean people like me - Non Graduates. In the UK I have arrangements being finalized with the Princes Trust, and have projects commencing up and down the country in the New Year (as explained on the website www.sheldonmydat.com) I'm also currently speaking with the Conservative Shadow Government - I believe they need to address the area of Non Graduate Mentoring and should help to facilitate new mechanisms and attitudes towards nurturing raw passions in those young sometimes unsuspecting entrepreneurs