Welcome to the home of 18-year-old entrepreneur, author, speaker and teen commentator jellyellie.

Heralded by The Guardian as "the voice of the MSN generation", jellyellie makes frequent appearances in the media speaking from the viewpoint of youth today.

jellyellie is also a highly regarded speaker to both adults and students, giving the former an insight into her generation and inspiring the latter to achieve great success through jellyellie's own considerable achievements.

Hello everybody!

My name's jellyellie (if you hadn't already guessed by now - but then I'd be worried) and I'm an 18-year-old entrepreneur, published author and sailor.

From a young age I've been involved in a range of unconventional entrepreneurial projects. When I was 13 I created the hit website bluejackQ.com, the world’s first and most cited website about bluejacking – the art of sending anonymous messages via Bluetooth mobile phones. bluejackQ, now with 5.5 million page views, took the media by storm and I ended up being interviewed for national and international print, TV, newspapers, magazines, websites, books and academic papers blah blah blah. It was awesome.

At 15 I signed my first publishing deal for my book How Teenagers Think, an insider’s guide for parents about bringing up teenagers. Again How Teenagers Think has received a lot of media attention from national and international, TV, radio, magazines and newspapers, and the book was serialised in the Mail on Sunday’s YOU magazine. It's since been translated into Italian and Polish - random or what?!

My book opened lots of doors for me, including the opportunity to be represented by speaking agent Sylvia Tidy-Harris. Like any great opportunity that presents itself to me, I absolutely leaped at this one, and have since flown all round the UK - and the world - speaking to both adults and young people. Read more on the 'Speaking' tab.

I've now started my own youth insight agency, called jellyTeens. I utilise my network of 13-24 year olds from around the world to provide companies and organisations with primary research into what young people today are really like - straight from the horse's mouth. I secured my first client, a huge multi-national media agency, and delivered an insight project that helped them secure a massive telecoms client. Huge. Massive. Innit.

I suppose I should also mention that I sit on the board for Young Chamber UK, an enterprise initiative between schools and local businesses. And I've just accepted a role on the Youth Advisory Board of the Youth Citizenship Commission. I know. Crazy.

...aaaand to top it all off, I'm currently working on my first novel for young people, with an entrepreneurial plot. One of the major UK publishers already has first dibs on it for when I've completed the manuscript, so that's enough of a kick up the bum for me to get writing!

By the way, sailing rocks. I love sailing. I do lots of sailing.

"The voice of the MSN generation..." - The Guardian

“Maddeningly opinionated and outrageously precocious” – The Daily Mail

“In person, jellyellie is charm personified – bright, fresh, funny, articulate, and with a kind of uncomplicated self-confidence borne of rock-solid self-esteem.” – The Irish Examiner

When I was 13 I created the hit website bluejackQ.com, the world’s first and most cited website about bluejacking.

Bluejacking, the art of sending anonymous messages via Bluetooth mobile phones, was completely unheard of in the public domain until I created bluejackQ.com. Now with over 6.6 million page views, bluejackQ took the media by storm and I was interviewed in national and international print, TV, newspapers, magazines, websites, books and academic papers such as the BBC, CNN, Slashdot, The Times, etc. At its peak bluejackQ was receiving literally 100,000s of page views a day.

It was the fresh, funny (so I'm told) bluejacking 'stories' that I wrote that originally caught the attention of the media, and you can read them and find out more about the craze at www.bluejackQ.com itself.

I'm represented by Sylvia Tidy-Harris, my speaking agent, and really enjoy talking to both adults and students. Here's a blurb:

Talks for Adults

jellyellie's talks aimed at adult seminars/conferences are always extremely lively and entertaining, and audience feedback shows they are often the highlight of the event.

jellyellie's incredible energy and passion combined with her high level of articulacy allows her to give adults a much sought-after insider’s view into the teenage world. jellyellie often speaks about what it's like being a teenager today around a range of subjects, from the way in which teens embrace technology to the way they engage (or not!) with books.

jellyellie is able to give this unique, highly sought-after teen insight on almost any subject relevant to your event.

Talks for Young People/Students

jellyellie is a highly motivated, unconventional girl and as well as entertaining the worldwide press, running an internationally acclaimed website and helping parents gain an insight into today’s teenagers, she also sets herself goals such as aiming to become a millionaire whilst she's still 18.

jellyellie's incredible achievements to date and goals to succeed make her an amazing inspiration and motivator for her peers, with her experiences so far making fascinating listening.

jellyellie is particularly well placed to interact with young people, as at still just 18 herself, young audiences always emphasise how readily they identify and connect with her.

Testimonials and Feedback

"The highlight of the show has to be jellyellie, an amazing web entrepreneur and new media 'person'."
Katie Lips, member of the audience, Digital Media Literacy Summit

“jellyellie was a great success at our event and really connected with the young people. Her attitude of positive thinking and “can do” approach really hit a nerve with the audience.” David Fawcett, Development Manager, Young Chamber IOW, Enterprise Week

"jellyellie was the day's most entertaining speaker"
Gareth Morlais, member of the audience, Digital Media Literacy Summit

"Hi jellyellie it's David (the one who wanted to be a teacher) from the Young Chamber talk at Cowes! Thank you so much for a great talk and you have really inspired me for the future. I hope you have great success in your later life!"
David, 15, young person at Enterprise Week

"Thank you for coming down and speaking to us. To be honest, I found what you said really inspiring. When I am at school, teachers never seem to listen to mine or my friends' views. It's really annoying as they do all think they are right, like parents. I am going to do something about it, because you have now inspired me. Thank you!"
Scarlett, 14, young person at Enterprise Week

"I was at the talk you did on the Isle of Wight today (Young Enterprise). I was really impressed how you made a business and only be about 2 years older than me (I was the one at the front with big crazy hair). I was just wondering if I could ask for some advice..."
Scott Barton, young person at Young Enterprise Entrepreneurial Masterclass

"The best bits were ... the fantastic jellyellie (she should be the regulator!)"
Nick Reynolds , member of the audience, Digital Media Literacy Summit

"Hey jellyellie it's Irteza from the Young Enterprise talk. I've got my goal up on my bedroom wall like you said to do!"
Irteza, young person at Young Enterprise Entrepreneurial Masterclass

I was inspired to tackle this issue after noticing a lack of parenting books actually written by teenagers, so I set out to give parents a real insider’s guide into what it’s like being a teenager today. Not only do I use my views to broach 21 of the most common subjects parents and their teens face today – from sex and drugs to money, school and being spoilt – I've also interviewed a wide range of my friends from the length and breadth of the country to gather their opinions.

Title: How Teenagers Think

Author: jellyellie, wrote it and signed a publishing deal when she was 15

ISBN: 978190541013-2

Publisher: White Ladder Press

Published: 31st May 2007

Website: www.HowTeenagersThink.com

Amazon link: Click here

Synopsis
A real life teenager, 15 year old jellyellie, dishes the dirt on what she and the many fellow teenagers she interviews really think. Essential reading for all parents, she explains what teenagers think about everything from school to designer labels, sex to money. She also discusses what encourages teenagers to co-operate with their parents and what pushes all their rebellious buttons. How Teenagers Think is the book for parents whose relationships with their teenage kids is fraught, and who find their children hard to fathom. It will help them get inside the teenage mindset and encourage them to understand their kids better.

Q&A
Is How Teenagers Think for parents or teenagers?
How Teenagers Think is written for parents of teenagers, but due to its humerous, insightful nature, it is a great read for just about anyone - especially teenagers.

Why did jellyellie write it?
I saw a gap in the market for a book on bringing up teenagers from a teenager's point of view, as opposed to yet another parenting book by a middle-aged psychologist. Using my experience as a teenager and interviewing my friends to find out their views too, I give parents an insight into how teenagers really think.

When did jellyellie write it?
I started writing How Teenagers Think at the age of 14 and signed a publishing contract for it when I was 15. jellyellie was 16 when it hit the shops on the 31st of May 2007.

Has the book been a success?
How Teenagers Think has been a huge success, attracting hoards of media attention. It was serialised in the Mail on Sunday's YOU magazine and has been featured in both national and international print, TV and radio, including the Guardian, the Daily Mail, the Irish Examiner, BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 O'Clock News and BBC Breakfast on numerous occasions. How Teenagers Think is on Waterstone's "must stock" list and is therefore in every store in the country. How Teenagers Think is also a Top 40 Amazon bestseller, and has spent a day on the front page of Amazon Books due to nothing but the sheer strength of the book - not a penny was spent on marketing.

Find out more about the book, including some awesome guerilla marketing campaigns, and get involved on the book's official website www.HowTeenagersThink.com

I've always been a fan of the outdoors, adventure, and the sea. I had my first real taste of yacht sailing when I was 15 and took my RYA Competent Crew 5-day practical sailing course, alongside my dad who was taking his RYA Day Skipper - the next qualification up.

I was hooked from then on. I just love the whole lifestyle - trying to coerce the last breath of wind into the sails; thrown into the chartroom at whatever time of day or night it is to fix your exact position on the chart every hour; clinging onto your binoculars, wishing dawn would break to help you make out the ships against the horizon; stumbling up on deck at 4am for yet another cold, wet watch having managed to snatch just an hour's sleep: pushing yourself to your physical and mental limits. But then there's the teamwork, the comradeship, the personal journey every single member of crew goes through. And there's the learning - about geography, meteorology, science, navigation. Theory and practical, hand in hand, learning through experience under the guiding hand and watchful eye of your skipper. I love it.

I'd moved sailing to the back of my mind until 2007, when I took part in a teambuilding voyage with The Cirdan Sailing Trust. Cirdan take groups of young people on week-long voyages, and the majority of the young people who sail with them tend to be socially or physically disadvantaged. Each teenager goes through a personal journey that inspires higher levels of self-esteem and self-confidence, self-discipline, and instills a sense of teamwork.

I loved every minute I spent at sea with Cirdan, and much to my joy my skipper asked me back as a volunteer 3rd hand later in the summer. I spent a further six weeks sailing with Cirdan that season, gaining my RYA Watch Leader qualification, and at times was asked to take sole charge of a watch during the night. In those weeks, alongside the other professional crew, I worked with five different groups of young people with behavioural or social problems. In all cases I saw the positive and bonding impact, and the fantastic difference sail training has on the lives of young people.

Not wanting to break off my ties with Cirdan after the sailing season ended, I presented a video for them to encourage more young people to embark on voyages with the Trust.

Cirdan also sponsored me through my ASTO Trinity House bursary, which I successfully gained after an interview at the beginning of 2007. My bursary covered all of the RYA shortcourses, RYA Yachtmaster theory and RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper.

I passed my RYA Day Skipper early in 2008 with Dream or Two, a Solent-based sailing school. They immediately recognised my passion for sailing and my determination to rise up through the ranks and offered to sponsor me up to my RYA Yachtmaster.

After months of preperation and sponsored sailing from Dream or Two, I took my RYA Coastal Skipper exam days before I turned 18 - my goal was to pass whilst I was still 17, the youngest age you can take it at. I passed the exam - the only one onboard to - and I couldn't have done it without Dream or Two. They are absolutely brilliant, and add a personal touch to sailing that no other sailing school does. Seriously. Check them out.

Despite the fact I am very anti-qualifications (with just one GCSE to my name) I've found the RYA courses a great way to learn and my current sailing qualifications are:

• RYA Competent Crew (2005)
• RYA Watch Leader (2007)
• RYA Day Skipper (2008)
• RYA VHF DSC SRC (2008)
• RYA 1st Aid (2008)
• RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory Meteorology Exam (2008)
• RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory IRPCS Exam (2008)
• RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper (2008)

My next goal is to achieve my RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore whilst I'm still 18 - again, the youngest you can take it at.

mniinnii

mniiniim

Armed with a Hairdryer

We're kids. What do kids like to do? Play football. Where do kids like to play football? In the street. What do kids who like to play football in the street hate most? Idiots who think they're cool driving up and down the road at ludicrous speeds.
mm So yesterday, in order to stop speeders, we set out on a mission.

OK, that was the ethical part over; now for the truth - we like to have a laugh.
mm So yesterday, in order to have a laugh, we set out on a mission.

Armed with a hairdryer and wearing a yellow reflective strap and police helmet from the Early Learning Centre, my brother Alex looked convincingly like a policeman with a speed gun. He positioned himself behind two conveniently placed cones, ironically marking the spot where a car completely took a lamppost out of the ground just the other day.

It was time to have our fun: being a busy road, it didn't take long for the first car to drive past. A friend and I walked along the pavement like ordinary, bored kids while Alex stood poised with the
hairdryer. Aware of his presence, cars slowed down as they approached him. Continuing past, the majority caught a glimpse of his 12-year-old face. All were happy: some waved, most smiled,
thumbs-up were awarded and one man even saluted.

Not to say it got boring after a while - on the contrary, as every driver's expression was unpredictably unique - but after 5 minutes or so we decided to use our next toy. Bring on... the camera flash! Despite its strobe-like effect, we are sensible. To avoid blinding the drivers and merely to worry them into expecting a nice little fine through their letterboxes, we used the flash on just a few cars and only once they had past us. The effects were wonderful, their faces pictures.

We were all in hysterics by now, but even with us two kids suspiciously throwing ourselves around in fits of laughter, constantly looking over towards the "policeman", drivers still slowed down considerably on the approach to and passing of Alex.

The cars kept coming, and the red break lights kept illuminating. Green cars, blue cars, black cars... they all slowed down. Then came a red car. It was our mum! By this point Alex was laughing too, and myself and my friend had taken to rolling on the floor in hysterics. The normal thing happened: Mum approached, slowed down, took a glimpse as she drove past. But wait! She
looked back again! It had struck her; it was not a policeman with a speed gun, but her son with a helmet from the ELC and a hairdryer; HER hairdryer! Oh her face! We were literally pissing ourselves with laughter by this point; excuse the French. Our fun was to be spoilt though: we spotted the red car coming past again, and to our despair mum shouted out of the window:
"Stop that now, it's illegal!" We obeyed, and walked home. It was all smiles back home though; our grandparents were in fits of giggles, and my mum admitted she truly believed it was a policeman. After all, what are they going to do; take a 12-year-old to court for impersonating a policeman with a plastic helmet from a toyshop and a hairdryer? Ha!

mmmmmmmmm