Outbound b2b was founded with much entrepreneurial spirit, a vital ingredient when starting out with a new venture. So, we were naturally delighted when an opportunity arose to assist with a little advice and mentoring for Chester, a very talented 12-year-old from Ashford, Kent. Our founder knows his family, and that part of the world well and so was happy to help.
Chester’s love for creating rail and metro-style maps began in his native Hong Kong when he was aged just seven. It is perhaps uncommon for a young schoolboy of that age to have such an interest in cartography, but Chester is no ordinary young man. Fluent in more than one language, as well as currently learning another, he embraces learning and study. Chester takes up the story.
“When we lived in Hong Kong, I was fascinated by how the metro helped people get around, and I loved riding it with my family. It made travelling simple and fun. When I moved to Ashford with my family, I wanted to create a metro-style map that could help people navigate the town easier. My first version was a hand drawn map. Since then, I’ve been developing it gradually online. This is where Nick became involved, he was born in Ashford and knows the town very well. He saw what I had produced and offered to help with the history of Ashford, so I could create a map that highlights both the old and new parts of the town. He became a mentor, guiding me along the way”
Outbound B2B Director, Nick Murton: “We at Outbound embrace entrepreneurial spirit, it is what makes the business world so exciting. When I saw what Chester had created, I spoke with his father, John, and offered to give some help and guidance to Chester. He said he wanted to produce the best version of the map possible. With Ashford being my hometown, helping with this project was something that greatly appealed to me, an opportunity to do something for a young entrepreneur in the town and give back to the people of Ashford. Chester set out his vision with me and his father over a cheeseburger at McDonalds – where else would a 12-year-old hold a business meeting – and we put a plan in place”
“We decided it would be a nice touch to include the twin towns of Ashford on the map, so I contacted the three towns’ authorities to seek permission to use their coat of arms. Ashford Borough Council have also been very supportive in all of this. Starting with a hand drawn map, to seeing this finished version, it is simply exceptional what Chester has created. We must give a big thank you to Joe at Tiger Tags, operated by Print Junction in the town, who have kindly sponsored Chester’s map”
“Chester and I both want to give something back, and believe that his map would be very useful for school children to help them learn more about the town in a fun way, so we will be donating some maps to the primary schools around Ashford”
The final word must rest with Chester “It has been an amazing journey so far. From my original hand drawn map to this, featuring more than 50 stops, highlighting both the old and new parts of Ashford. I also think it can help visitors to the town understand more about the geography of Ashford. With Nick’s help, I now hope to market the map so that the people and businesses of Ashford can also enjoy it!”
