{"id":22411,"date":"2022-11-11T14:04:32","date_gmt":"2022-11-11T14:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ounews.co\/?p=22411"},"modified":"2022-11-11T14:04:32","modified_gmt":"2022-11-11T14:04:32","slug":"could-you-be-an-entrepreneur-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/student-stories\/could-you-be-an-entrepreneur-in-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Could you be an entrepreneur in 2023?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Open University students have turned their hobbies into successful businesses with the support of the OU \u2013 and so could you.<\/p>\n

If you already have a side hustle or a great business idea, 2023 could be the year you turn it into a reality. And the OU has resources and support on hand to help you make it happen.<\/p>\n

Get inspired by stories of OU student entrepreneurs who are juggling start-ups with their studies:<\/p>\n

\"OUKaren Oliver<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Karen turned her health blog into a coaching business to support those struggling with eating disorders.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s now studying Psychology with the OU to expand her business into a private practice.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cThe support, resources, and advice I\u2019ve received from The Open University as a student entrepreneur has been a game-changer for my business.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe OU is set up and designed for distance learning, so I knew I would be well supported. I can fit my studies around all my other commitments as a single parent and business owner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"EntrepreneurNick Bassan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Business Studies graduate Nick launched a smart-tech clothing brand while completing his degree.<\/p>\n

After two attempts at university, Nick says the OU gave him the freedom and flexibility he needed to succeed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was able to apply learnings from my course to both the job I work at and the business I\u2019m developing. It was a match made in heaven,\u201d he said. \u201cI love the freedom that the OU gave me.\u00a0 The OU are so well built for the digital age and perfectly suited to me as an entrepreneur.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SportsAllana Francis-Ashmeil<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Known as \u2018Coach Ace\u2019 to her students, Allana launched her children\u2019s coaching business during her OU Sport and Fitness degree.<\/p>\n

After struggling with dyslexia at school, she says the OU gave her the support and confidence to succeed. And she\u2019s now eager to inspire sports stars of the future.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cI always wanted to set up a business in sport to \u2018give back\u2019. OU study made me feel I had the capability to do more.\u201d<\/p>\n

C\"\"arly McCluskey<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Carly from Glasgow launched a plant-based business during the pandemic with the aim to make breakfast more environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n

She says studying Business Management with the OU is giving her all the skills and practical knowledge she needs to make her \u2018vegan egg\u2019 business a success.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cMy degree has helped me in so many ways, from learning the basics of accounting, so I can do the books for our business, to learning the basics of marketing to help promote it and create social media campaigns.”<\/p>\n

How the OU can help you<\/strong><\/h3>\n