Jack Wills launches entrepreneurship campaign

British brand Jack Wills has launched a campaign to co-incide with its 18th birthday to celebrate the entrepreneurs who began their careers with the business.

Jack Wills itself was founded in Salcombe, Devon in 1999 by two entrepreneurs, Peter Williams and Robert Shaw, straight out of university. Its JW Alumni campaign features past Jack Wills team members who have gone on to set up their own businesses, such as Ed Foy, founder of juice business PRESS London, Beth Salter founder of design company Shut Up Studio, and Keenan Foley founder of film production company Orillo Productions.

Williams said encouraging entrepreneurialism was part of the culture at Jack Wills. "Success is all about execution, perseverance and focus. The fact that Jack Wills Alumni have gone on to start some incredibly successful and innovative businesses is really unique – as a brand, we foster entrepreneurs," he said.

"We have a ‘give it a go’ mentality and we ask ourselves, ‘what’s the worst that can happen?’ – in doing so, we empower people to take risks and be creative. They really respond to that working environment," Williams added.

Jack Wills now has more than 80 stores worldwide, including the UK, US, APAC and the Middle East. Its website ships to 126 countries worldwide.