Entrepreneur Uncovered: Jamal Edwards
Post categories: Factual ,ÌýUp for Hire
| 12:20 UK time, Thursday, 20 October 2011
At 15, Jamal Edwards launched his online music channel, SBTV. SB comes from his MC name Smoky Bars, and the stars of the show were his mates rapping to camera. Within months, SBTV grew as the go-to channel for upcoming artists, outgrowing its grime beginnings and launching the career of acts such as Ed Sheeran. In five years and 50 million YouTube hits later, SBTV has earned the Simon Cowell seal of approval and 21-year-old Jamal heads his own major label imprint and is the face of Google Chrome.
Business: SBTV: online youth lifestyle broadcaster
Age you started your business: 15
How many hours you work a day/week: 24/7... no time to rest!
Motivation: To reduce the stereotype of young people being the lost generation and to inspire.
Education: Acton High School and Ealing College (BTEC National Diploma in Media Moving Image).
My report card said: 1 B, 2 Cs, 2 Ds 1 E (I think)... I can't remember!
My careers advisor said I'd be: Not successful and would get a job in a supermarket or a fast food chain.
Subject I wish they'd taught me in school: Media/Entrepreneurship.
What advice would I give about this job: Be prepared to work long and hard hours and limit your social life.
What advice would I give about going it alone: Don't be scared and don't let any obstacle come in your way.
What one skill/talent has helped you: Being transparent because it's an important asset, and having a diary to plan.
What's the most useful thing you've learnt while doing this job: You can't please everyone.
Best thing about my job is: Working with my team. There are 12 people in the SBTV team and we all have a collective vision and drive, which is necessary.
And the worst thing about my job is: There isn't anything that's bad, it's all good right now.
I take inspiration from: The people around me doing great things.
If I was out of work now I'd...: I dunno what I'd be doing, probably still working in men's retail as I was there before SBTV!
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Jane Fitz-Gerald is part of the Up for Hire Interactive Team.
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