Mylo Kaye, August 17, 2017 3 min read
Mylo Kaye is the CEO of award-winning app development agency, Dreamr. He is passionate about technology that can change the lives of people and businesses. Mylo is a trustee for the homeless charity, The Booth Centre, and a mentor for NatWest’s E-Spark programme.
Here he writes a letter to his younger self. It reflects on what he’s learned on his journey as a tech company founder.
Dear Mylo,
Wow, what’s it like to be 18, hey? The world is your oyster right now. Even though you’re about to start your first ‘proper’ job, you must still be remembering the great time you had in school; I know that you enjoyed school a lot.
As you start your new job in a few weeks, I have got a few tips for you, to help keep you on the straight and narrow.
You’re going to enter a fast-paced office environment, which you will find tough. I know you’ve battled confidence issues in the past, but keep your head up and be proud, starting a new job in the big city of Liverpool.
You’re going to find it tough to feel confident and be yourself so don’t beat yourself up about small moments of insecurity, think of the bigger picture, and you’ll be just right.
In about two years or so, you’re going to be homeless. Calm down, calm down, it will be okay – trust me. You’ll be distracted by the big lights of the city, drink a lot, and mix with people who are not on the same path as you. You have the determination and passion, almost obsession, for working hard. You’re going to need these qualities to get out of the dark pit you’re about to descend into.
Surround yourself with successful people, and you may not stay homeless as long as you think. You’ll learn how to survive in the face of adversity, you’ll come to realise that not everyone wants to change, and that you can change for the better.
I told you you’d be okay. I know you hate it when I say ‘told you so’, but I was right. Believing in yourself does work, Mylo!
I’m glad you’re on your way to college and preparing for uni next year, you’re doing great. Your first year or so at uni will be fun, but try not have too much fun; I know what you’re like. I have some bad news for you, though, and you’re going to feel like giving up, in fact, you will give up.
“Mylo, your Uncle has passed away.”
You won’t be able to carry on through university, as the pressures of losing a loved one will be too much for you. You won’t regret it in a few years, as it’s this moment in your life that you will start your entrepreneurial journey.
Stay strong, stay focused on your goal of running your own company. It will get tough before it gets better, but it’s important that you keep believing in yourself, you can do it and you will.
2014 will be an exciting year for you. For the first time in your life, others will start believing in you. It’s now time for you to build that company you’ve always wanted, this part of your life won’t be easy either – sorry. The satisfaction you will get along the way will be something that no one can ever take away from you.
One of your biggest challenges will be getting others to buy into what you want to achieve. Building a company of like-minded people will be tough, but worth it when you find the right ones.
Have fun, follow your heart and remember, give all and nothing less.
