Neil Jones of Bennet Verby talks Entrepreneurship & Achieving Goals,
Interview with The NGY SHOW!
Neil Jones of Bennet Verby talks to The NGY Show, Hosted by Chatterboxes, all about how to become a successful entrepreneur. Neil also tell’s how he never attended college or university and still managed to achieve his goals.
Listen back to the full interview for more or read below!
The NGY Show,
We are the next gen use. Hi, welcome back to show pay on YouTube radio. And today we are going to be joined by Neil Jones. Neil burns his career bespoke accountancy firm. And he’s joining us today to talk about his journey for deciding not to go to college to be in a recession he is in today. Ania. Thanks for joining us today. How are you?
Neil Jones,
Yeah, I’m good. Thank you. Thanks for the introduction. I’m just looking forward to hearing what questions you’ve got for me this evening,
The NGY Show,
What does being an entrepreneur mean to you?
Neil Jones,
So entrepreneurs are a tricky word. Rarely, I think entrepreneur means somebody who set a business up to make a profit. And I don’t think that’s the true sense of what young people kind of want to understand. I think it’s just, it’s just taking a bit of risk and getting out of your comfort zone, and actually getting out there and doing something for yourself, and, and actually having some, you know, responsibility for what you want to do in life. So I think for me, it’s just being passionate about what I do, giving people an opportunity to do the same as I’ve done and kind of just support my family. Could you describe how
The NGY Show,
you went from someone who left school at 16? So many people would write off immediately to being just such a success?
Neil Jones,
Yeah, so I think, I think it’s difficult for some youngsters, when they’re at school, they don’t, you know, it’s not something that they they like to be in, they don’t like the control mechanisms. And I think, you know, for me, I didn’t want to go to college, you know, I just wanted to kind of get into into work kind of thing. Fortunately, the entrepreneur, the sorry, not entrepreneur, the modern apprenticeship scheme was available to me. And that was something that I wanted to do, because actually gave me the opportunity to work and learn on the job. And that’s something that actually, you know, when you mean paid to do a job, and actually learning at the same time, I think you’re more engaged, you know, you’re happy to go and be told what to do by an employer, because at the end of the week, you’re earning something to live off in their mind. So, for me, it was all about getting to work. And then being a success. I mean, I’ve just had some fantastic help along the way. So I’ve had some fantastic mentors, ex colleagues, colleagues that are there now. And just the right business support, really, and I think lots of people should, should try and get back where they can. And that’s what enabled me to claim to be a director of the accountancy firm, where I work now,
The NGY Show,
you’re someone who has kind of proven that you don’t need formal education, that’s not the only thing you need to succeed in life. So my question is, do you think that the school system is set up in such a way that it builds fear in students that if they don’t complete their education and get good grades, they won’t be able to get good jobs or make a good career for themselves?
Neil Jones,
Yes, this is something I’ve actually discussed with my own children. So I’ve got two girls that are 11 and 13. And, you know, I discussed with them, you know, what they want to do, and kind of where they want to be. And I think for me, I don’t think the school system is set up to make people fail. I just think that some people thrive differently. So I think some people really benefit from the school environment, they’ve, they’re really good at exams, they’re really good at studying. And there’s other people, that that doesn’t fit. And I think those people kind of benefit more from hands on game. So, you know, get an experience, actually on a job and feeling value from that job. You know, certainly something I say to my daughters is that, you know, if they don’t want to go to college, and they want to go and learn on the job, you know, because I’ve done that. I’m quite comfortable with them doing that. And I think, you know, if you look at some of the most entrepreneurial people out there the moment, you know, they certainly didn’t get full education now, either the moment that you’re be aware of Elan Musk, you know, he didn’t get a full education and has gone on to be one of the wealthiest men in the world. So that’s clear, understanding that you don’t have to achieve everything in school. And then things afterwards.
The NGY Show,
Do you think that the school system should be more kind of widely spread to students who don’t benefit from the school system as it is?
Neil Jones,
Yeah, I think there should be opportunities for kids to, you know, I think at the age of 14 to start trying different things. I think there used to be programmes in place like that, where kids used to be able to come out of school for a couple of days a week, and you know, whether it was, you know, building work or hairdressing or whatever it might be that they want to get skills around, something they might do later on in life. I do advocate that I think you should always try your best in English, maths and science. You know that the three core subjects and I think if you’ve got anything about you try and make an effort in those subjects if you can, obviously, they’re not always needed, and they’re not always able to do that, but I think they’re the core subjects. Try your best in that. loans. And you know, there’s always opportunities to retrain the study later on in life. But definitely, I think the skills should be offered multiple in terms of on job experience.
The NGY Show,
Thank you. That’s really interesting. What advice would you give to anyone that wanted to be an entrepreneur like
Neil Jones,
you? Yeah, I think what I would say is, just find something that you’re passionate about. Usually, if you find something that you’re passionate about, you tend to want to do more. So working doesn’t doesn’t feel like work, it actually feels like, you know, something that you enjoyed. And, oddly, you know, I enjoy being an accountant, you know, that might sound striking, thumping football, I really do like it. And I like the benefit that I give to my clients. I like the advice that I can give to people. And yeah, so I think find something you’re passionate about, and it shouldn’t feel like work. And therefore you should be able to create something itself. That actually is rewarding.
The NGY Show,
Yeah, thank you. That’s very interesting. Talking about your current stock, could you tell us what inspired you to pursue, pursue your dream,
Neil Jones,
your dreams, your career path, my hatred for English? So I have been good with numbers, and doing the skill book report. So one of the things that I liked is accountancy was more driven towards numbers. And that’s what I got into it. I’ve got to say today topis numbers anymore? Can they use English a lot more? Which is why I say, get your engine if you can, because actually, you do need it. And it is something that you can improve on as you get older. But yeah, for me, towards the to do the math, my hatred for English and not wanting to be involved with words. Yeah,
The NGY Show,
thank you. That’s really amazing. Thanks for sharing that with us. Not a problem.
So could you explain a little bit why you decided to leave formal education?
Neil Jones,
I still think, you know, for me, it was, it was more to do with the control than it was. skill is very regimented. It’s nine o’clock in register Class, Class class, lunchtime. And then back again, teachers saying you’re not dressed appropriate, you’re not doing this, you’re not doing that. And it just feels like constantly you you put down and you know, you make an effort you’re trying to fit in, there’s peer pressure around you all the time. And it’s one of the reasons why I didn’t want to go to college, I just felt like I was gonna be treated the same again, at that a different place. You know, it’s quite hot, like I said before, to go into a workplace and be told what to do, as long as there’s going to be any some money. And I think there’s some great opportunities out there on apprenticeships, to actually learn on the job, not go down through the university route and getting a lot of debt. And actually, you know, create a career for yourself on a better Professor route,
The NGY Show,
I think a lot of people would relate to that. School being so just on you all the time. It’s very difficult, especially for teenagers we want to be this is all like free, free as
Neil Jones,
well, my 14 year old daughter would agree. Yes, I’m glad she’s kind of not listening now. Because I kind of want to try and get here too much of me saying this. But yeah, I think, you know, we want a bit of freedom. My daughter’s got that freedom, you know, I think she she’s she knows her own mind. I think at 14 years old you do. And I think that, you know, some teachers are still in the dark age where they where they feel like, you know, the children are children, you’re gonna learn your way in the world. And I think that’s what you should be treated like. Finally,
The NGY Show,
if you have any questions you’d like.
Neil Jones,
Yeah, so just one question, rarely. And there is a scheme out there called the Kickstarter scheme for employers. And that’s an option for employers to take on students, or people looking for work between the ages of 16 and 24. And I just wanted to know if you guys have heard about that, and, and what you felt about how that will help. So basically, the scheme is set up so that employees can can take placements for six months, gives the employees the ability to kind of cash in the business to be able to take somebody on it. And do you think that would be a good thing for you guys? Look into not go to college?
The NGY Show,
Yeah, definitely. I wish that was advertised a bit more. Yeah.
Neil Jones,
Yeah. So that is something that is available. Now. It used to be only businesses with 30 or more staff they’ve actually taken because of the pandemic, they’ve actually dropped that limit down to one. So there’s a lot of small businesses out there that can potentially get a lot of help using the Kickstarter scheme, and can actually give a lot of young people a fantastic opportunity to get some skills to learn some, some work experience. And actually, it’s paid for by the government. It takes you out of the Universal Credit system, and actually, you know, gives you a great opportunity, and I actually think the government’s done a brilliant job there. One of the things have to Well, I just don’t think there’s enough said about it. Yeah. So hopefully you guys will all have a fantastic opportunity. This scheme is going to continue for a long time.
The NGY Show,
Thank you for joining us today. Neil. We really appreciate you taking the time out to come speak to us. I wish you the best of luck for the future right now. We’re going to go back to live music on the MG y show on Youtube Radio 92.8 fm. We are next gen use
Listen back to the full show here:
The NGY Show, is made by the Youth for the Youth.
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Neil Jones began his career at Bennett Verby in 1999 as a Modern Apprentice in the accounts department. He completed his training and qualified as a chartered accountant in 2008. Shortly afterwards, he was promoted to Accounts and Audit Manager and in October 2013 Neil became a Director of the company.
Providing advice to small and large businesses alike, Neil combines broad experience with a pragmatic approach. He gives his clients the best of advice on financial management, involving cash flow, business plans, projections and management information.
Neil is passionate about business development and is a proponent of the phrase ‘you get back what you put in’. As well as forging links between Bennett Verby and businesses in the wider Stockport area, Neil takes a keen interest in the wellbeing of the Bennett Verby team, ensuring that a happy team is a productive one.
For more info visit here:
https://bvllp.com
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