‘None of these successes would be possible without my time at Regent’s.'
The term that exchange student, Pedro Andrade, spent at Regent’s had a lifelong impact on his career. Now as founder and CEO of Hunter Board, an electric skateboard company, Pedro’s vision is to deliver stylish, convenient and sustainable personal transport.
Pedro’s knowledge and passion for marketing led him to identify a clear gap in the market and build a brand that gained the attention of customers and investors across the globe. Building on this gap, he and his team developed and tested more than 75 prototypes. The end product? An extremely versatile board with unique features that fulfilled customers’ desires.
The Hunter team is now challenging the established inner-city scooter and bicycle competition. With time and patience, Pedro has marketed his brand to the success, selling out within five days of launch. With the 2020 stock now sold out, the 2021 waiting list is growing fast.
For Pedro, starting a business was challenging but rewarding. Without the knowledge, skills, and network he gained at Regent’s, as well as the confidence to believe in and pursue his business idea, Hunter Board would not be on the market today:
‘I now have a brand that people are falling in love with. Everything I learnt at Regent’s, I am still applying to my businesses today – my classes were life-changing.’
Not only does Pedro attribute the success of his career to the skills he gained from his classes at Regent’s, he also credits his study abroad experience for nurturing the person he has become today.
‘Regent’s showed me a new way of seeing life – I grew so much as a person during my time there and met so many amazing teachers and students who have shaped the person I am now.’
The early sales for Hunter suggest an exciting future for the electric skateboard, and with three years of success, Pedro says that students need to have patience, think strategically and learn from early mistakes.
‘If you can’t run, walk. Patience is key. It took us three years to go from an idea to launching the Hunter Board, but we have received some incredible support and now the opportunities are endless. Remember you can have your head in the clouds, but make sure your feet are also on the ground.’