The Loughborough ‘Year in Enterprise’ scheme is an alternative offered to students instead of engaging in a professional placement or study abroad programme, for those seeking to gain practical experience of entrepreneurship.
From humble beginnings in 2023, the company has now grown to a following of over 7,000 on Instagram, partnering with local businesses, sharing relatable student lifestyle content, and interviewing both high profile athletes and sports enthusiasts.
We sat down with founder, Bella Harris-Johnstone, to discuss her time at Loughborough University, experiences of studying and the Year in Enterprise, and the successes of Lboro Fan TV.
What influenced your decision to study at Loughborough University?
“I was torn between a few universities known for sporting excellence, as being at a sports-oriented university was a major factor for me. With Loughborough’s position as the leading UK sports university, it was a natural decision to come and visit. I attended an Open Day and just fell in love with the campus, it felt safe, communal and friendly. There is an infectious, positive energy that you can feel as soon as you step into the Loughborough bubble!
“I chose to study the BSc in Management as my parents run their own business, a nationwide swim school, and my ambition has always been to take over this company, The Swim School, when they retire. I really wanted to get to grips with the academic side of business and use that knowledge to continue to push the business' growth.
“I think employability is so important now when considering going to university and the employability stats don't lie; the graduate prospects for Loughborough Business School students are strong, and many companies recruit directly from the University.”
How have you found the experience of studying at Loughborough Business School?
“I've loved every minute of it! Each year, I've enjoyed the degree more and more. Now I’m in my final year, I'm excited about the range of interesting subjects we're covering. One stand-out module involves creating a marketing plan for a real-world video game called Atomfall. The top five group projects from our course cohort will get the opportunity to present their plan to the developer.
“We've had multiple opportunities to pitch to real life companies, and the businesses involved with the school also offer placement opportunities. Having the opportunity to engage with real businesses and put your ideas into practice is invaluable experience for when we graduate into the world of work – it’s like Dragons Den!”
What motivated you to engage in the Year in Enterprise option and what has made your business a success?
“The Business School puts a real emphasis on supporting entrepreneurship and I was eager to make the most of that opportunity. I decided to spend the sandwich year of my degree doing the Year in Enterprise, which turned out to be incredibly successful. Lboro Fan TV is now the largest student TV channel in the UK. I wasn't looking to do a placement; I wanted practical experience in running a company.
“I think the success of Lboro Fan TV is due to several key reasons. I pride myself on being very personable and I feel that the student community can easily relate to me. I have made a conscious decision for the channel to cover all aspects of student life at Loughborough University, ensuring that content is both relevant and engaging to the entire student population.
“The sense of community within the ‘Loughborough Bubble’ has been a crucial element of Lboro Fan TV’s success, because students see their friends and therefore organically share the content. The support I have received from Amanda Berry, who leads the Student and Graduate Enterprise within the Business School, has been invaluable. Anytime I have had questions about managing my start-up, she has always been there to offer guidance and support.
“Currently, there is limited competition for us, so while other social media offerings exist, I'm able to commit significant time to partnering with local businesses to build the Lboro Fan TV brand and bridge the gap between the local and student communities. I’ve gained great experience in dealing with negotiations and have secured an exclusive advertising contract with Ryan Hill, a local student lettings agency.
