Angelo Xuereb, AX Group chairman and EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2018, met with young JAYE entrepreneurs.

Mr Xuereb started by saying that three principles led his personal and business life: creativity and determination – as on occasion it took him 20 years to convince people to his ideas and integrity as he believed in doing things right. But what nobody expected to hear is that he was a very shy boy when he was growing up.

“I was 13 years old and we were all sitting at home during a family gathering. One of my father’s friends turned on me and asked, ‘So, Ġulino, what would you like to be when you grow up?’ I immediately stood up and very assertively replied, ‘A businessman.

“A successful businessman’ All smiled at me and at one another, probably because I was usually very shy and withdrawn and my firm declaration and enthusiasm have really surprised them,” he said.

Mr Xuereb gave the young entrepreneurs key takeaway messages that he has learned in his career.

“Vision, hard work, facing challenges head-on, efficiency and determination are the key words to success, not luck,” he said.

“The talk was very encouraging for us young entrepreneurs. It showed us that if we invest in ourselves and the ideas we have we can always reach our goals,” Kylie Decelis commented, managing director of Enlight JAYE Company.

“Mentoring and sharing experiences with young minds is very important and I am very pleased that I had the opportunity to meet with them,” Mr Xuereb concluded.