Ralph Braithwaite

Ralph is a 26 year old businessman, who owns ‘3rdPhase’, a company that encourages young people to use media and film to have a voice within their community about social issues affecting them.

‘I am passionate about seeing young people exceed beyond there own expectations.’

Ralph systematically followed the conventions within education by gaining nine GCSE’s, then progressing on to Sixth Form where he studied Business, Drama and Sport, (ironically failing business), before then going on to the University of Chichester where he advanced in Sport Studies.

‘Leaving London was an experience; it opened my eyes to see just how much opportunity there is there. After finishing university I went to work. I worked as a Football Coach, I then had a second job in ‘Loop’ pool bar in Croydon as well as managing the media projects that begun to come my way, although not earning me a substantial amount at that point. It was then that I then begun to invest the money I was earning in equipment, meaning that there was no need to hire any equipment and when needed, it was readily available. So say I would have earned two hundred pounds, I would’ve invested maybe one hundred and fifty of it into equipment needed to build up the production company.’

3rdPhase became a registered company in April 2006, but although now officially a young entrepreneur, Ralph continued to work hard at the three jobs that he was working. It was in January 2007 that he decided to help young people create their own projects while fulfilling his own goal of returning to youth work, both together enabled Ralph to fulfil his desire to own his own business and earn an income. ‘My passion isn’t making money; I’m just good at it. I don’t work for money, I make money work for me but I do feel fulfilled when I see the end product of the work created by the youth I work with.’

‘I didn’t need support to build my business, I felt only I could create the vision I was working toward. No one could have created the vision I had better than me. I truly believe that only the dreamer has the ability to fulfil the dreams in which they dream. There are no wrong or right ways to becoming what you want to become. You observe others, taking elements of what they do that you feel will work for you. If I had been ‘short sighted’ I wouldn’t be where I am now. I only ever aspire to being the best that I can be. My mum always did say I was wilful, and I guess I turned out alright. I’ve always been a free spirit but the one thing that kept me focussed was my desire to be successful, so anything that would in anyway jeopardise that I’d leave well alone and not involve myself in or become involved with.’

I think in order to prepare yourself for knock backs in business you must have the will to overcome disappointment, taking the time to understand your field, which also means you must accept that things won’t always go according to plan, remembering that on the grand scheme of things, its not actually a setback but merely just part of business.’

‘I have no regrets and I’m happy with my current position, therefore the path that I have taken must have been the correct path for me.’

‘My honest opinion to those aspiring to great things is, be honest with yourself, listen more than you talk, read anything and everything that provides you with knowledge specific to what it is you want to do. Saying ‘no’ to others isn’t a bad thing if your reason for saying no is fully justifiable.’

‘Be fully aware of your dreams, your goals and aspirations, and get networking, meet people that are where you want to be, or even people that are aspiring in the same way you are. Never lose sight of what makes you happy and remember that the people you surround yourself with not only has a massive affect on the person you are but also on how others perceive you.’

‘Stay in education for as long as possible and while you remain in that environment you will give yourself options and various doors will be opened to you.’