Dale Bell, 17, is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker and sports enthusiast from the UK who is best known for his work in youth enterprise and building systems from the ground up. From a self-taught web specialist to one of his hobbies, fixing computers, those systems can vary from virtual ones to physical ones. In his recently acquired role as the President and ‘Voice of the TeenEntrepreneurBlog.com’ (August 2011), he is working to combine both his virtual expertise along with his hands on experience as he works with emerging teen entrepreneurs and innovators around the globe to move them from idea to IPO.
How important is it for people to stay positive?
It’s very important for people to stay positive as it’s the key to being able to maintain a good outlook on life. No matter what skills and/or talents you may have, if you aren’t positive, it’s going to be very hard to stay focused to help you achieve those goals you’ve set yourself.
One of the main reasons I’ve found for people to have a negative attitude is the fear of failure. This applies a lot to new business start-ups especially as the fear factor is an ever-present barrier in the back of people’s heads doubting their every move.
Failure can actually and SHOULD be viewed as a positive. The most successful people in the world have all made mistakes and what did they do? They learned from and didn’t give up.
Two things I constantly do to maintain a positive attitude are the following:
- Stay in the present
- Be around positive people
By staying in the present and not thinking about the future, you will learn to appreciate what you currently have instead of always wanting to be somewhere else or have something you do not possess at this moment.
Being around positive people will make you not only maintain a positive mind set but to also feel better in you’re physical self which will make you happier and more productive.
What got you interested in entrepreneurship?
I first got interested in entrepreneurship when I was 14 years old after watching an episode of Dragons Den. I knew then that I did not want to work for somebody all my life but to create my own future.
It was watching that show that gave me the inspiration to not only better myself but also people around me.
What are some of your goals & ventures?
My current ventures are Lymm Design and Lymm Hosting. Lymm Design offers website design along with graphic design (logo, banners, stationery, etc).
I am also the manager of Teen Entrepreneur Blog. In the next year, I’d love to make a name for myself in the Public speaking circuit.
Tell us about Teen Entrepreneur Blog. What are your goals with this project?
The Teen Entrepreneur Blog was founded by Shonika Proctor but I am now managing it. The blog is for teens and ‘young’ entrepreneurs who request support. We realise that there are a number of sites that are providing tools and motivational articles etc. to young entrepreneurs, but few, if any, provide mentoring and personalised responses to the young people who write in to them.
We work on a few select projects throughout the year with a private group of teens (less than 20 teens selected globally). With the teens, we provide them with a ‘personal advisory board’, fundraising, marketing support and specialised consulting.
My goal for this project is to make the Teen Entrepreneur Blog the ‘hub’ for teens and ‘young’ entrepreneurs alike to connect to get help with there idea. I want to become the ‘voice’ for teens.
You have a passion for sports. What are some of your favorites?
I do. I like most sports but my favorites being football, rugby and athletics. I cannot stand cricket or anything to do with horses
Are you a reader?
The only books I ever read are business books. The current book I’m reading is Ryan Blair’s ‘Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain’.
More about Dale
Inspired not only by building things from scratch, but also by the world of design, Dale brings a natural motivation to appeal and connect with the current generation of teen entrepreneurs participating in the program, who have a combined age of nearly 3 years younger than its original followers (current age is 16). Having been active in the teen entrepreneurship space, including serving as a moderator at Teen Business Forum and guest blogging at EpicLaunch.com, Dale is more than equipped to serve his peers in an advisory level.
Dale is also currently planning a speaking tour starting in his native UK, where he will speak to his peers on lessons learned through sports. He is a huge advocate for giving more global recognition and opportunities to UK teens and intends to make the Teen Entrepreneur Blog just the beginning of his greater vision.
Dale’s Portfolio of Business Cards, Banners & Logos
Blogger, entrepreneur, digital marketing consultant and recording artist. I make money online and teach others how to do the same.
"You’re such a smart boy!" were his first accolades heard. So, it’s no wonder that this phrase became the title of his business, Smart Boy Designs.