The Truth About Starting a Business at University

In this episode, Eric Tchalikian sits down with Johnny Coates, founder of Listy, a software platform designed to simplify the home-selling process by removing the need for estate agents. Johnny shares how he launched the business during his summer break, teaching himself to code through YouTube and turning an idea he had on holiday into a real product. Despite losing momentum as he prepared for university, a lecture introducing a start-up grant reignited his focus and pushed him to take the next step. He opens up about the realities of building a business from scratch while studying, from learning technical and financial skills on the go to managing his time effectively. Johnny also reflects on the influence of his entrepreneurial family, the value of collaboration, and the importance of starting early. This episode offers practical insight into student entrepreneurship, highlighting the discipline, adaptability, and initiative required to turn an idea into something tangible.