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Serial entrepreneur Chris Hughes joins us on #founderhacks this week to talk about, "What Inspires"

Chris started his career in a foundry working 80 hour weeks in the UK before he began life as an entrepreneur at the ripe old age of 35 in China. He is now the founder and MD of Health Well Solutions - a global insurance brokerage with offices in China and the UK.

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Inspiring others down the entrepreneurial path

Chris grew up somewhere that didn't focus much importance towards nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of young people. At school Chris was taught that if he studied diligently and later worked hard in his job he might one day become a senior manager in a large company.

For Chris this lack of inspiration at an early age to go his own way was an opportunity missed. He sadly doesn't see much has changed with the UK's current education system in this regard either.

Is a focus on our schools' academic success, using the metrics of exam results, the best way to eek out the unique talents of life's special characters? Is it our job as entrepreneurs to do something about this and help inspire these people instead?

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Inspiration can come in many different forms

Chris knows an awful lot of entrepreneurs and a great many of them read business books in their quest to give their companies that extra special edge.

Although Chris has read business books too, his greatest source of inspiration comes from novels - The Road to Oblivion by Valdimir Zenzinov was one of his favourites. A story of struggle, passion and overcoming adversity like no other.

As a founder do the less-obvious sources of inspiration contain the best lessons? By committing to drinking from life deeply from the widest possible cup can we find the best answers to our most difficult questions?

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Taking inspiration from others

Chris was founded in a foundry.

Whilst there, he took inspiration from those around him and committed to being the change he wanted to see. He witnessed first hand that his commitment and determination could lead others through transformation too.

Over time Chris has also learned that the hard things from his past, the scars he carries, have become the strength that has driven his success as a founder.

And finally.
Here's a quote from hod-carrier, turned profession footballer, turned actor Vinnie Jones. When asked during an interview if it was hard being a Hollywood actor he replied, "Nah, being a hod carrier, now that's hard".

Don’t forget to check out the accompanying podcast version of #founderhacks for a tantalising live experience of team atomex!