On October 17, ENTRUM started its third season with a grandly event where more than half a thousand students from West Estonia were encouraged to find their talent and taught to take their first steps towards fulfilling their dreams.
Darja Saar, the CEO of Entrum, says that the event was powerful. “I want to thank everyone who participated for a day full of hypnotizing positive energy. I am happy to see that young people of West Estonia are active and more than ready to start their entrepreneurship journey with ENTRUM.”
“Opening ENTRUM’s third season, I am glad to say that we already have great examples where ENTRUM’s young participants have contributed to making the life of their home town and therefore the whole country better. Now it is West Estonian youngsters turn to implement their good ideas,” Margus Rink, the initiator of ENTRUM, also urges young people to take action.
At the event, ENTRUM patrons – Olympic Silver medal winner Heiki Nabi; Estonian Young Entrepreneur 2010 and restaurant owner Anni Arro; Click&Grow flowerpot author Mattias Lepp; singer and Estonian Idol finalist Teele Viira; actor and world traveller Marko Matvere – shared their knowledge and experience with the participants. In the panel discussion held at the event, Heiki Nabi told the young participants why it is important to believe in themselves. Anni Arro inspired them to find out where their true passion lies. Mattias Lepp taught the youngsters to think cleverly. Teele Viira encouraged them to start bravely and Marko Matvere explained why they always have to be happy in what they do.
“I think that the biggest talent in life is will: if you really believe in and want something, then everything is possible,” says Heiki Nabi, who has learned to address his energy on things that are important to him. “In sport, I do not focus on my fear of losing, but instead I concentrate on my volition to win! It is important to direct your thoughts on what you want and push aside everything negative,” he adds.
Anni Arro thinks that everyone has a passion for something. “You do not have to look for it, you should take your time and listen to the voice within – what you really like to do, what gives you energy etc. If your job wears you out, then it is not for you. A job has to give something back. Sometimes I am tired too, but it is more of a sweet kind of tiredness,” said Arro.
Mattias Lepp told the young participants how a chicken manufacturer who had been struggling with selling its products found a new clever way to do it. “The company started selling chicken to one of the world’s biggest airplane manufacturer. What for? So that the company could test its airplane engines. Apparently the best way to do that is to throw chicken into the engine. Interesting way to market chicken,” Lepp said. That has also encouraged him to find wholly different solutions to problems.
“I have been suppressed!” said Teele Viira. In high school I wanted to join the choir, but my teacher told me that my voice does not suit the choir. I was sad for a long time, but one day I woke up and became brave. I realised that everything in life is possible. I get what I want because I love myself!”
Marko Matvere said that he did not find his happiness before he became older. “When you are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the shore being at a 3000 km distance, no ships in sight, pitch-dark outside, you realise that all of your wishes and desires change. Experience on the sea is of priceless value to me! When you feel like you are tired of everything, you will eventually learn a trick how to sweep all of your thoughts from your head and gain new energy.”
The young participant were pleased with the event. “It was awesome and I got loads of positive energy from it,” said a 22-year-old Valdo Müllär. “I really liked it and I definitely have a plan to continue in the program,” 16-year-old Taavi Tali agreed with Müllär.
During its two-year-long operation, Estonia’s biggest energy corporation Eesti Energia’s Youth Entrepreneurship Programme ENTRUM has proved itself. There are great examples how the youth has contributed to making the life of their home town and therefore the whole country better – more that 185 social entrepreneurship, technology, eco- and creative entrepreneurship projects have been put into practice within the programme. All together ENTRUM has taught entrepreneurship skills to more than thousand youngsters.
In 2011 ENTRUM programme was acknowledged as the best entrepreneurship developer by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia. ENTRUM was also the best socially responsible entrepreneurship initiative of the Swedish Business Awards 2011 and the best nongovernmental commerce sector initiative of the NENO (Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations).