His Idea Was 30 Years Too Early | Charles Black

<p>Charles Black had an idea as a teenager that seemed almost impossible.</p><p>He wanted to put cameras in space and broadcast live views of Earth for everyone to see.</p><p>The problem? It was around 1990. There was no consumer internet, no streaming technology, broadcasting required government licences, and launching satellites was prohibitively expensive.</p><p>Everything was against him.</p><p>But Charles never let go of the idea.</p><p>In this Founder Classic episode of Screw It Just DO It, I revisit my conversation with Charles Black about the extraordinary journey from a teenage dream in Yorkshire to eventually getting cameras into space.</p><p>Charles shares why he remained committed to an idea that was decades ahead of its time, how a chance encounter with a four-leaf clover reinforced his belief that he was on the right path, and why he chose to build other businesses while waiting for the opportunity to pursue his original vision.</p><p>Along the way, he qualified as a barrister, decided against practising law and launched an internet company from his bedroom.</p><p>He even sold his first website before he knew how to build one.</p><p>That business eventually became part of a company acquired for around £90 million.</p><p>But the dream of putting cameras in space never disappeared.</p><p>We discuss how Charles found his way into the space industry, secured an opportunity involving a Russian spacecraft company, and eventually received his first images from space, including a beautiful photograph of Italy.</p><p>For Charles, it was the realisation of an idea he had carried with him for decades.</p><p>What stayed with me most from this conversation was his willingness to keep moving forward, even when the path was unclear.</p><p>Charles also shares his thoughts on resilience, challenging convention, building something from nothing and why ambitious ideas often demand years of persistence.</p><p>His advice to anyone sitting on an idea and waiting for the perfect moment?</p><p>“Do it. Go for it.”</p><p>If you&#39;ve been putting off starting a business, questioning whether your idea is possible or wondering whether you&#39;ve missed your opportunity, this conversation is worth hearing.</p><p>Sometimes the idea is right. The world simply needs time to catch up.</p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to Screw It Just DO It for more conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and people who turned ambitious ideas into reality.</p><p>Watch on YouTube or listen where