Local Entrepreneur inspires college students

Local entrepreneur Amar Lodhia paid a visit to Redbridge College on Tuesday 25 May to give an inspiring talk to students. 

Amar grew up in Redbridge, attending Beal High School before starting at Trinity College. In early 2009 he set up The Small Business Consultancy with the help of some of the highest profile entrepreneurs in the UK and a nationally recognised youth work figurehead. The company has successfully continued to grow and is now worth an astonishing £1.8m.

Amar gave up his time in order to help inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs at Redbridge College. His talk to Business Studies and Workskills students revolved around his life growing up and how he had made it to where he is today despite all of the personal and professional setbacks and obstacles he has faced.

New Horizons student Asad Sheikh (16) said, “I found the talk really inspiring, it was really useful to know that someone so similar to me has become so successful.

“I really enjoy business and once I finish my course I want to study business further and eventually set up my own company. I can really relate to what Amar was saying and hopefully I can follow in his footsteps.”

Amar said, “The talk went really well, the students were really engaged and I hope it inspires them to great things.” 

Amar's experience began from being long-term unemployed to working with entrepreneurs and being part of Channel 4's Make Me a Million documentary and then being employed in senior sales roles to turn around failing businesses (a story many of the people he works with now relate to). 

As well as heading up The Small Business Consultancy, Amar is also a philanthropist, volunteers on many social regeneration related projects and also invests in young entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. To find out more please visit www.thesmallbusinessconsultancy.co.uk