What connects a comedian who interviews celebrities in a fried chicken shop, a teenage darts sensation, the creator of a patch that tracks brain signals and the creative director of a 96-year-old Italian fashion house?¹

They all feature on The Sunday Times' first ever Young Power List: a showcase honouring 25 inspiring young people who are making an impact on the world. The selection spans artists, entertainers, entrepreneurs, influencers and sportspeople, along with the youngest MPMember of Parliament. There are 650 MPs representing people in different areas of the UK. in the House of CommonsThe democratically elected house of the UK Parliament. It consists of 650 Members of Parliament. .

Some of the awardees have found success in the public domain, such as footballers Bukayo Saka and Leah Williamson, racing driver Jamie Chadwick and Irish pop singer CMAT.

Comedian Amelia Dimoldenberg has 2.3 million YouTube subscribers that watch her offbeat interviews over fried chicken.² Seventeen-year old professional darts player Luke Littler shot to fame with a nail-biting performance at the world championship.³ And 26-year-old LabourBritain's main left-of-centre political party. MP Keir Mather won his seat after overturning a 20,000-strong ConservativeHolding traditional values, and in a political context, favouring policies such as private ownership. majority.⁴

There are others who have found success in quieter ways. One is Jacob Nathan, founder of Epoch Biodesign. After learning about plastic waste at school, he devoted himself to finding ways to recycle plastics into new materials.

Another is Josephine Philips. Horrified by the exploitation of the women who sew garments, she created an app for door-to-door clothing repairs.⁵ She started by cycling around London picking up garments herself. Now her repair and alteration company SOJO has a 20-strong team and a base inside SelfridgesA high-end department store company, set up in 1908.. 

The nominees have all shared advice for those who would follow in their footsteps.

Some think one should gather a wide knowledge and experience. Hannah Chapatte, founder of student letting platform Hybr, says: "Get involved in as much as possible while you're in university." Nathan agrees: "Become an expert by speaking with as many people as possible."

For others focus is key. Joe Seddon of Zero Gravity, a social enterpriseBusinesses which trade for a social or environmental purpose. that connects disadvantaged students with opportunities, says: "Don't bank on being an overnight success. It's about playing the long game." 

Racing driver Jamie Chadwick thinks risk-taking is important. "Don't be afraid," she says, "to put yourself out of your comfort zone." Saka agrees. He quotes his first coach: "If you don't shoot, you don't score." Actor Ambika Mod agrees: "Whatever you want to do in life, just start."

CMAT thinks that graftHard work. is essential: "You just have to work really hard and sacrifice pretty much every element of your personal life, but it's worth it." CMAT spent years working in a supermarket before she broke out.

Others advocate knowing your limits, and taking care of your wellbeing. "Don't take the weight of the world on your shoulders," urges Philips. Mather says: "Being kind to yourself is important." And Dr. Mya-Rose Craig, an environmental activist known as Birdgirl, warns against going alone: "Find other people who care about the same thing." 

Is "just do it" the best advice?

Yes: Seize the day. If you have a passion that needs to be unleashed on the world, exhibit it whenever you can. And if you have a great idea, do it quickly, before someone else does.

No: Fools rush in. You should understand exactly what you want to do and how you might be able to achieve it before committing to any cause or course. A smidgen of caution rarely causes harm.

Or... All success comes from a specific situation. Advice from the successful is not very useful. We should listen instead to those whose ideas failed, learning from their mistakes to avoid making our own.

MP - Member of Parliament. There are 650 MPs representing people in different areas of the UK.

House of Commons - The democratically elected house of the UK Parliament. It consists of 650 Members of Parliament. 

Labour - Britain's main left-of-centre political party.

Conservative - Holding traditional values, and in a political context, favouring policies such as private ownership.

Selfridges - A high-end department store company, set up in 1908.

Social enterprise - Businesses which trade for a social or environmental purpose.

Graft - Hard work.