PAUL Munro embodies success. At only 23, he has established a business that has collected a number of local awards, with two more nominations in the Illawarra Business Chamber awards to be announced this weekend.
Mr Munro was also personally recognised with an award at the Telstra Illawarra’s Best Catch event last weekend.
His business, Vision Design and Print Studio in Mittagong, is itself only one year old.
Mr Munro is humble about his achievements, but proud to have been recognised.
“I can’t believe it. I really cannot believe it. It is very surreal, but I am also very proud of what I have achieved,” he said.
“When you receive an award or a client tells you how impressed they are, it makes every stressful moment that may have preceded it worthwhile.”
Mr Munro said business success can only come about with passion and drive.
“It is about being passionate about your product and having the drive to push through the tough times. It is easy to give up,” he said.
Owning any business comes with challenges, but Mr Munro said anyone could succeed if they were prepared to work hard and were confident in their product or service.
“Starting up and running the business on minimal capital proves stressful,” he said.
“Dive in head first and learn all you can. Surrounding yourself with people who will encourage you and inspire you will make a world of difference to your success.”
“Legalities and paperwork can be daunting, but if you learn as you go and ask advice of people who have been there, you will get through it.”
“From a personal point-of-view, surrounding myself with passionate people who encourage and inspire me has really helped.”
Mr Munro said most jobs were not advertised and young people who are looking for work needed to show employers they were keen.
“You have to go looking for opportunities,” he said.
As well as business success, Mr Munro has thrown himself into community activities.
Mr Munro has travelled to Uganda for house-building projects in communities ravaged by AIDS.
He is a volunteer mentor for high school students with the Young Achievement Australia program and the F1 in Schools program.
Mr Munro has also volunteered with Young Life Ski Mission, which aims to engage and empower troubled teens by teaching them to waterski and wakeboard.
Vision supports local non-profit organisations including schools, churches and charities through discounts and has donated funds to support a University of Wollongong team in the “Habitat for Humanity” project in Fiji.
Mr Munro said it was important to have a positive outlook.
“In business and in life, you need to be actively involved in things outside of your own little world,” he said.
“Whether supporting a charity through your business or donating time and services, make a difference in someone else’s life.”
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff
Twitter