Tom left university overwhelmed about what to do next. A few years later he’s running his own design company. He shows how finding and connecting with the right people made all the difference. What’s your dream? Picture yourself where you want to be and let LinkedIn help you get there: http://linkd.in/1pXbRrV

1. Hi I’m Tom Church. I’m 23 years old, I run
my own business.

2. I love what I do.

3. But, it wasn’t always plain sailing

4. Not to long ago, I was lost…

5. It’s thanks to some inspirational people
that I found my direction

6. I’d love to share my story with you. Show
you how to harness the power in people

7. Let’s go back to the start. I was in my final
year of university

8. Like most, I panicked about what to do in
life…

9. “You can do anything,” they said.
“The world is yours,” they said.
That should be awesome.

10. Truth is, I found it overwhelming

11. I didn’t know where to start

12. All I knew was I wanted to work for a small company…where I could make a big impact.

13. So I did some thinking….and then I did a little more thinking…

14. I had an idea

15. Instead of going to meet companies one by one, which would take ages

16. I would convince them to come and meet me

17. Muhahahahah super villain I am not

18. I would create a networking event for London start-ups
I could learn from them all at once

19. So I started calling and sending emails…
If people were interested they got back in touch.

20. I set a date. London start-ups was born.

21. When the time came…Nobody turned up. I was gutted.

22. I must have been doing something wrong? So I changed tactics, switched to LinkedIn

23. I began researching start-ups that looked interesting.

24. If they passed the test…I’d invite them to meet over LinkedIn

25. It was amazing to see the difference between: making direct contact…and using LinkedIn

26. People found calls and emails too spammy
It put them on the spot

27. On LinkedIn, people were much more willing to hear what I had to say.

28. They could check you out first, see if you’re legitimate

29. If we shared a connection it made all the difference…
Oh, he knows Emily, I can trust him.

30. Anyway next time around ten people came

31. …each time after that it grew and grew

32. Suddenly, I was talking with loads of start-ups…
Surrounded by all these inspiring people

33. It was great to take a peek into the world of all these industries

34. I managed to get a role at a more established company.
I spent a fantastic few years gaining experience.

35. Once I’d honed my skills, I was ready to return to the world of start-ups

36. With such a big network, there was always a sense
That an opportunity could come from anywhere

37. Through one of my events, I was introduced to a design studio in Milan called FullScream

38. Who were doing cool stuff like this…

39. I connected with FullScream’s Creative Director Ced on LinkedIn

40. FullScream wanted to expand their business to London
I Convinced them I was up to the challenge and they gave me the job!

41. I was a one-man team running my own company
I realised that all the contacts I’d made at all the groups were now potential clients
My whole network was in one place

42. On top of that, LinkedIn meant I was constantly meeting new designers.
Sharing work and setting a benchmark for what FullScream did

43. It was a great way to stay on top of my game

44. FullScream started to pick up interest.
Small stuff but just what you need as a start-up

45. We won some work for a major broadcaster…

46. With this we could grow our team

47. We’re currently making a fashion video in Milan with some of the world’s top designers

48. We even got a full-page interview with a leading motion design magazine
…through LinkedIn

49. It’s helped with almost every aspect of the business.

50. The meet-ups are still a huge part of my life.
It’s been amazing to see that grow alongside the business.

51. We now get around 200 people at each event
We’re one of London’s biggest start-up events and now I really belong there

52. I’ve seen first how meeting people can help with business

53. For me personally, its been one rollercoaster of a journey
With the help of a fantastic network I managed to find a career I love

54. People were the secret to my success
I found those people on LinkedIn

55. So can you