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“I joined the Wellington College Future Founders programme in February 2024. I applied after my Academic Scholars lead told me about it, and since I was planning to take Business GCSE, I thought it would be a great opportunity, especially the interview, even if I didn’t get in.
“My first day was on 28th February, and I was so nervous that my friend Grace, who also came from Gordon’s School, had to tell me to relax. When I arrived, I was privileged to meet Mr Roundell and Amanda Thomson, who led the programme. They made me feel instantly at ease and ran engaging activities, like discussing brands we liked or disliked and why. My experience with business was limited to Dragon’s Den, so this really opened my eyes to what makes businesses successful.
“Soon after, we were each given £20 to start a business. Some of my friends raised extra money by selling clothes online, but I started a dog treat business called Woof N Wag. I spent the seed money on ingredients and tested five recipes using friends’ dogs (most of the feedback was along the lines of “Did your dog actually eat it?”). Once I finalised the recipes, I began advertising at school, online, and through community groups. That’s how I got my first orders. The Christmas holidays brought a few more orders, but after this, my sales declined, just as I reached my break-even point.
“The experience has been invaluable to me. It brought me closer to my community, and, in my Year 10 mocks, I received a Grade 9 for Business, something which the Wellington Future Founders programme has definitely played a part in. I hope that students find this a catalyst towards applying for the programme, and that next year’s Future Founders find this programme as welcoming, enriching and rewarding as I did.”
Sitara Prasad, Gordons School
