College student sets his sights on becoming dot com vegan millionaire

East Sussex College Business student and entrepreneur, Robert Stevens, is invited to Google’s UK offices in London

Entrepreneurial student, Rob, 20, studies at the Lewes campus of east Sussex College (ESC) and already runs his own successful online business, Sussex Vegan (www.sussexvegan.com). Now, the talented Business students has his sights set on becoming a dot com vegan millionaire.

As one of many talented young business people, Rob was recently invited to visit Google UK offices in London to take part in a cutting-edge course designed to support small business and individuals with digital skills. The event was sponsored by Evening Standard and Department of International Trade (DIT).

“This opportunity to go to Google’s opening course in Central London was an excellent opportunity to enrich my learning and business skills,” Rob says about the experience to Google HQ in London. “I met Ronan Harris, the Managing Director of Google UK & Ireland and Baroness Rona Fairhead, Minister of State at the Department for International Trade.

“I took part in a scheduled 1:1 session with a senior marketing expert from Google who helped me review my current business strategy for Sussex Vegan. This was phenomenal and I'd recommend anyone with a great business idea to apply for the Google workshops.”

Rob set up his website, Sussex Vegan, when he was just 17. The site already boasts nearly 200 registered vegan businesses, including restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels, and organic clothing made with renewable energy.

In October 2018, Rob organised the first Vegan Festival in Lewes, which hosted over 30 exhibitors and welcomed just over one thousand visitors. Now the 20 year old from Lewes is planning to improve on this success with a Vegan Festival in Eastbourne for the New Year.

The hope is to add at least another 50 per cent of exhibitors and to double the visitor numbers as part of his business development strategy.

Look out for The Vegan Festival, Eastbourne, coming to East Sussex College on Friday January 25 2019.