Since he was 15 Steve Kingham has always dreamt of being involved in the BMX industry. Hard work, commitment, determination and a degree from Newcastle Business School (NBS) have seen him realise his dreams and he now he is taking the UK by storm with his own business, DFTU...
Steve Kingham, DFTU - Battle Royale
When you're talking about forward thinking, creative and resourceful business graduates there are some outstanding examples evident within the UK's student population and Newcastle Business School part of Northumbria University (NU) students are no exception.
One such business graduate, Steve Kingham is taking the UK by storm with a business concept which he setup and is now running off the back of his studies and experience at NBS, which has recently been featured in ridebmx magazine, May 2006.
Steve said:
" I started my own business roughly 4 months after I graduated. I noticed that there was a gap in the UK BMX market and soon enough, DFTU Distribution was launched. We are the UK's leading small brand distributor, with brands from around the UK and the USA being distributed through us. We also run the world's premiere BMX street competition of its type, The Battle Royale. Its heading to the states later in the year, and it's set to be just as big over there."
Steve studied the BA (Hons) Marketing Management degree at NBS and graduated in 2005. During his course Steve took a placement year to facilitate his studies, gain some valuable work experience and to have some fun!
Dave Abson, Programme Leader for Marketing Management said:
"Steve was very resourceful and determined to organise his own placement with '2hip' who make BMX frames, in Santa Cruz, California which naturally NBS's placement office supported and facilitated. This has proved invaluable in providing Steve with many business contacts and in giving Steve the experience he needed to facilitate his studies and start his business after graduation."
Steve was elated with the organisation of his placement year and said:
"2hip and Santa Cruz for me was a dream come true. Ever since I was 15 I have wanted to be involved in the BMX industry. When faced with the problem of securing a placement for the third year of my studies I didn't want to be stuck in the UK working for a company I wasn't really interested in. It took around 10 months of cold calling companies before eventually I was flying out to California, and I can honestly say it was one of the best times of my life.
I made a lot of contacts, learnt a lot about the industry both manufacturing wise and business wise, and I gained a level understanding of a real life business environment. Combine this with the American society and business culture, and I think it gave me a lot more than I would have learnt if I was working somewhere I was un-inspired by.
When I came back from the states it took me about 3 months to settle in fully. I just wanted to finish university as soon as possible and get on with the job in hand, which was starting my own business."
NBS's host of undergraduate programmes come highly recommended by a multitude of NBS Alumni and can provide opportunities for graduates which are second to none.
Steve comments:
"I never studied business when I was at school. I always stuck to the English/Geography/Art format. When I applied to NBS I wanted to try something completely new and the BA (Hons) Marketing Management programme suited what I was looking for.
I would definitely recommend the programme due to the fact that I came into the programme with no previous knowledge of the subject and came out of it with the desire, experience, knowledge and capability to start my own business and be successful."
Steve like many of NBS's graduates have gained their degree from a forward thinking and proactive Business School who in 2007 will be moving to a brand new, purpose built £47 million pound campus suited perfectly to providing top class, supportive facilities for tomorrow's business achievers.
artists impression of a section of stunning new campus
"Overall I feel that NBS as part of NU is a free thinking, progressive, and grounded university. It looks after those who look after it, and I think this is really important. The staff are awesome, the tutor system works brilliantly, and I miss it loads. Without my education and experience gained from NBS I know I would not have achieved the things I have to date."Steve Kingham
For further information on Marketing Management - BA or any other of NBS's undergraduate programmes please email: nb.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk
Date Posted: 17.07.06