Hull Training and Adult Education (HTAE) learners were given the opportunity to pick the brains of Hull-based entrepreneur Megan Hornby during a recent motivational afternoon.
Megan, who appeared on BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’, owns The Candy Shop on Newland Avenue and shared her experiences with Business, Creative and Digital apprentices at HTAE’s Craven Park Enterprise & Training Centre on Preston Road.
She highlighted how she built her business, challenges faced along the way and the successes she has achieved.
Megan also shared her journey into entrepreneurship, including her business idea, approach to branding and marketing and her The Candy Shop’s unique selling points.
She stressed the importance of not being afraid to take a different career path, as well as her lessons learnt and also her experiences on The Apprentice, including interactions with host Lord Alan Sugar.
Other nuggets of information included interviewing advice and tricks.
Megan finished by sharing a personal insight into her recent diagnosis of ADHD and how she is learning more about herself since receiving this diagnosis and managing the condition, whilst she also highlighted the importance of self-care, wellness and speaking up when you aren’t happy.
Cllr Linda Tock, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for Hull Training, said: “I know there were certain expectations for how the afternoon would go and Megan not only met those expectations, but exceeded them.
“By sharing her own experiences and challenges, she brought a level of authenticity that really resonated with our learners just by being real.
“The group left with so much valuable insight to take away and the positive feedback we received is proof that Megan’s visit did exactly that.
“It’s fantastic that HTAE is able to host local entrepreneurs such as Megan who can share their expertise and advice with our learners.”
Megan added: “It was a really fun and engaging session and I would like to thank everyone who participated.
“I tried to relate my own journey to theirs and to have the opportunity to share my experiences in education and my career, including breaking the mould with topics such as men in admin roles and women in business was great.
“I hope the group took home something they can build on and I look forward to working with HTAE again in the future.”
