Marcel Deer

Marcel Deer, from Wavertree, was one of 10 finalists selected by judges in the national Striding Out Big Leap Competition to help discover the business stars of the future.

The 22-year-old, who has just completed a degree in journalism at Liverpool John Moores University. He is one of a growing number of Liverpool students now considering starting a business - rather than seeking employment.

As a finalist he is now being supported by Striding Out, a Liverpool organisation that advises young entreprenueurs, with one-to-one coaching to help get his business Shellshock New Media Training off the ground.

Marcel, a former pupil of Birkenhead School, said: "The normal path is to finish your degree and get a job but I have never wanted to work for anybody other than myself. I really want to go my own way and be in charge of my own destiny.
While doing my degree I began running a music promotions company and from 2007 I have singlehandedly managed over 30 events across Liverpool.

Now I want to create a company that will train businesses how to use online tools such as blogging, podcasting, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn etc as efficient new marketing tools. There is a high demand for such training, especially with older businesses lost in the new media world.

I have seen an opportunity and the advice that Striding Out have given me because of the Big Leap Competition has been invaluable. To be shortlisted from over 200 entrants is a fantastic achievement.