When Susan Gregg was 17 she was heading off to Carnegie Mellon University, but she found her closet packed full of vintage clothes and shoes that she had collected.

So she decided to get rid of them, and what better way than to open an online boutique. That year, Susan began ModCloth.com right from her dorm room. She would often drive from uni to her southern Florida hometown to pick up more stock.

Soon the site was overwhelming, 60,000 visitors per month wanted more. That’s when Susan realised the potential of the business. She started looking for designers and suppliers, eventually finding a trade show in Las Vegas via Google search. Susan went to the show with the intention to find herself a designer, which she did.

Susan still needed to raise the capital to pay for her rising costs, so on the advice of her boyfriend she took out $50,000 in credit card debt with the rest coming in the form of loans from her boyfriend’s family.

It was a big step to take, but ultimately these are the risked you have to take if you want to make it big.

Since her original idea in 2002, she has come a long way, but it wasn’t until 2006 when she hired designers to create an original collection for the site, that things have really taken off.

As it stands today the site is getting over 2million visitors per month and ModCloth is looking to surpass the $50million mark in sales this year. Susan has also managed to raise $20million in new funding so that she can open up offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles as employees near 150.

Susan’s personality shines through when you look at the business, ModCloth is a social commerce and she makes sure that customers feel involved whether they are buying or not. There is even an opportunity for the customers to choose which styles go into production.

This is the kind of thinking that will help Susan continue to grow ModCloth well into the future.

I would like to thank Matt Wignall for making this interview possible.

Background

A Suit That Fits was founded in 2006 by school friends, David Hathiramani and Warren Bennett. Warren spent time working in Nepal and whilst volunteering at a school in Kathmandu met a family of tailors who made him a woollen tailored suit.

On his return, Warren met with old school friend David Hathiramani, who felt there was a gap in the market for quality, yet affordable, tailored suits and wanted to use their technical backgrounds to simplify the ordering process; it was then that A Suit That Fits started as the world’s first on-line hand tailored suit making company.

Using unique web technology, the service gives customers the flexibility to design and completely customise their individually hand-tailored suit at an affordable ‘off-the-peg’ price, starting at £200. Since then A Suit That Fits has opened three permanent branches throughout London and one in Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester, in addition to 19 ‘TailorStop’ (pop-up) branches nationwide.

Hi Warren, nice to have you on YHP, How are you doing?

It’s great to be here – we love the website and think it’s really inspiring for the next generation of young entrepreneurs.

Here’s a nice ice ice-breaker -who are your style icons?

I have had time to develop my own style: classic tailoring combined with an eccentric twist! I suppose my own individual style comes from timeless fashion icons such as Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant or even James Bond, combined with an element of fun from Ziggy Stardust!

When would you say, you first experienced your entrepreneurial talent?

I think I have always had a sense of entrepreneurial talent; both David and I grew up with entrepreneurial fathers, who had a big influence in our lives. Before A Suit That Fits began, I had lots of great ideas for businesses, some could work very well, some were outrageous! I actually started by importing silk carpets and pashminas from India, before David and I turned our attention to our idea for A Suit That Fits.

Only four years later, we have 25 branches nationwide and we’re very proud of what we’ve achieved.

So how did A Suit That Fits first begin, where did your idea come from?

Having spent gap years teaching in various schools around the world, I was introduced by a school master to one of the local tailoring family in Nepal, who made me some fantastic suits. I was so impressed by the quality and workmanship that before I returned to the UK, I bought a number of suits for myself, friends and family.

When I came back to Britain I met up with my old school friend David, who shared my passion for fine tailoring. David had big ideas and suggested that we went on-line; offering a small selection of fabrics, styles, linings and all the different attributes.

We took the idea to Hampstead market in North London, and displayed one of my suits on a dummy; after just 20 minutes we had sold two suits. It was a clear sign that we had a viable business plan; we then worked quickly to create a website for our customers, and we set up shop in a small studio in Liverpool Street.

Since 2006 when we registered our first customer, we’ve been thrilled and very proud to be part of a fantastic and growing team of wonderful people both here in the UK and in Nepal.

How did you fund your business in the beginning?

In terms of cash flow, the online model provided the ideal start-up template. We never had to hold any stock, we simply sent requests out to our tailors in Nepal once the suits were ordered, and paid for, online.

To fund the essentials such as our premises in Liverpool Street, we used our credit cards, whilst David continued to work two jobs to support the business.

How are customers becoming more individual through their choice of suit?

Trends tend to come and go, however it will always be fashionable to offer the customer more choice. There are three main types of suits: British, Italian and American; British suits tend to have tapered panels, little shoulder padding and two vents, Italian suits are often fitted with structured lapels and shoulder padding, whilst American suits are more relaxed.

We’ve noticed that our customers are now mixing all three types of suit along with a subtle splash of colour with a special lining to create their own style and individual identity. We now offer a choice of over 200 fabrics to choose from, so alongside our range of style options, customers can choose from selection of 40 billion different combinations of suit.

What shall we be expecting from A Suit That Fits in the future?

We have lots of fantastic ideas that we are exploring; we continue to source fabrics from all over the world and push suiting style and innovation. We also plan to focus on launching further permanent branches in key cities throughout the UK.

What advice do you have for those who want to pursue a career in fashion?

The first step is to complete your education; and following university try to get as much work experience as you can; some members of our team have completed several internships and work experience programs. You’ll make it if you have talent, combined with the determination and ambition.

What advice do you have for the fans of YHP?

It’s a scary prospect starting your own business and not knowing what’s around the corner, however it’s a lot of fun and can pay off in so many ways if you’re prepared to put everything into it. Focus on how you solve a problem for your customer in an easy, cost-effective way and build a great team to deliver that product.

I wish anyone considering taking on the challenge of starting their own company or developing a unique business plan the very best of luck and I hope one day I’ll have the pleasure of reading about your success.

Thanks for your time warren, hope to catch up with you soon.

Dont forget to check out their website

Today I have an interesting interview with a 22 years old graduate from reading university, she talks about her latest project, her online vintage shop – Vintage amours and also moving to Paris.

Hope you enjoy it.

Hi Melissa, Nice to have you on YHP, How are you doing?

No thanks for having me, it’s a pleasure to meet you.

Can you give the readers some background information about yourself?

Yea sure, I’m 22 and I just graduated last year from Reading University where I studied French and Linguistics after which I did a few fashion interns, worked for a bit in London and then moved to Paris where I’m currently working as an International Assistant fashion buyer.

So let’s dive right into it, Vintage Amours is going live at the beginning of August, Tell us about the business, what you do?

Vintage Amours is a website selling vintage clothing but not in the ‘stereotypical’ way. Our motto is ‘Live for the moment, dress from yesterday’. We don’t feel that to wear vintage clothes you have to look like you’re walking out of a Calmity Jane movie…but instead you can take pieces you like and adapt them making them your own and put a modern twist on them.

Why did you decide to start it or go into fashion, what was the inspiration or story behind it?

I’ve always loved fashion – I remember having the fashion wheel when I was about 7 (laughing), I also had a sewing machine. But to be honest i’m really bad at drawing and I can’t design so I thought I’d stick with buying. I love the fact that fashion is what you make it…I think the people who are truely fashionable create their own styles rather than copying catwalk trends etc. Cliché I know but look at Lady Gaga! You’ve got the Beyonces trying to copy her now!

How did you first pursue your interest in fashion?

I did my 1st fashion intern in Paris when I was on my Erasmus year at university…the easiest way to get into fashion is to have connections. Fashion is an industry based on networking. The more people you know, the further you’ll go. If you don’t have those connections I say apply away and offer your services for free.

What has been your most difficult process in starting the business?

The most difficult thing is to keep motivated and to know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. When I did the photoshoot for the S/S10 lookbook I had to stay up until 4 in the morning to get everything ready. The shoot was at 8! Times like that you have to choose between sleep and success.

Another difficult aspect is getting together a good team. I’ve been lucky because everyone i’m working with is dedicated and passionate about the outcome – especially my site designer Jodie and my marketing co-ordinator Nic. Real stars!

Who are your vintage style icons?

I’ve got loads, Miss Monroe of course, Miss Hepburn, Sophie Loren, Diahann Carroll, Jackie Kennedy, Tina Turner, so many I can’t possibly name them all!

Who are your style icons, and why? Does this influence the pieces that you present in your online shop?

I like things of the extreme – so florals of all kinds, anything that sparkles. But also simple classic items that can be styled a number of times…so I guess there’s a bit of Hepburn influence in the shop.

What is your favourite item of clothing?

You can never go wrong with a dress. Anything else you need to spend time matching but a dress, put a cardy with it and you’re sorted.

How important is fashion to you?

Fashion is extremely important to me. When I go to a meeting your sense of style can quickly tell the other person a lot about you. But it’s important to concentrate on areas you think no one else will too. Clothes aren’t the only important thing! Always have groomed nails – you’d be surprised how many people look at them.

Within vintage clothing, are there any specific periods of time that you feel have extraordinarily notable selections of clothes or styles?

Christian Dior in the 50’s was Christian Dior at his best. Elegant, feminine and modest!

What makes you prefer to work with vintage fashion, and do you still enjoy shopping for ‘regular’, modern clothes?

Yep, you’ll see that I’ve styled everything in a modern way on Vintage Amours. Whilst we believe that you can wear vintage clothes it’s important to remember that clothes evolve throughout the years according to society and the activities we take part in.

Wearing a full length ivory boned corset dress everyday to work isn’t something our generation is likely to do as it is rather restrictive. So my selection is mainly for those who want the odd vintage piece and isn’t too comfortable with going outrageously vintage head to toe – But of course anyone can shop with us (smiles)!

How would you advise someone on a budget, such as a student, to customise their own clothes at a low cost?

Rummage through car boot sales – swap clothes with friends, keep old clothes and re-accessorise them. Frayed jeans could translate into new shorts, an old waist band could really be a new headband.

I’d say just think out of the box. We’re putting on a charity event soon called ‘The Vintage Amours City Garden Party’ – I’ll keep you updated with the details. If you come down you’ll find some real bargains and £1 of your buy will go to Age UK.

There will also be other vintage companies there too selling clothes, trinkets and accessories. So check out the site next week for more information Will be fun!

Explain the most memorable point of your career in fashion to date?

Going to Fashion week parties with a close friend Harriet and getting the goodie bags. Always memorable (laughing). Um but I guess a memorable time would be getting the phonecall and finding out I was going to move to Paris!

Have you got any advice to offer a budding entrepreneur in terms of how to break into the industry?

Just do it – The time you take thinking about it, it could’ve been done. Also always ask for advice! I act on impulse and gut feeling – not too sure if it’s always the best thing to do.

What have been the key lessons that you’ve learnt so far in starting up a business?

Nothing ever goes to plan – so plan for it!

Thanks for your time Melissa.

No thanks for having me and remember guys ‘Live for the moment, dress from yesterday’

www.Vintage-amours.com
www.vintageamours.tumblr.com
twitter.com/vintage_amours

I would like to thank Josephine Bankole for making this interview possible.

Who thought t-shirts could motivate people into losing weight or spending time in the gym.

YHP had the privilege of doing a quick interview with olu Johnson, founder of the get hench or die trying brand, a company that started from the gym.

Hope you enjoy the interview

Hello Olu! Thank You for giving YHP your time. How are you today?

I’m fine thanks for asking, and thank you for having me on here.

Can you give us some brief background information about yourself?

I am 26 years old, Nigerian born and British bred(I am bi-lingual). I am a graduate of Law. I am currently a trainee lawyer and junior manager for a company in the Rail sector!

Please, start off with giving us just a little info on who you are and what you do…Where did the concept for “Get Hench” come from?

The concept for the Get Hench brand came from a training session in the gym . After a period of about 6-8 months that my friend Shayne and I had trained intensely to be unquestionably the henchest guys in our local gym, we started training some of the younger boys in the gym who asked for help. During one of the sessions, one of the youths, Tavell, said ‘I didn’t come here to die, I’m not on this get hench or die trying sh**’. Everybody laughed but me, it occured to me that that was his perception of our attitude towards training and I thought we could sell that image.

How long did it take the “Get Hench” to get up and running, how many of you running it are there and where is it currently in operation?

I’m not one for procrastinating so when I had the idea, within a week I had samples selling like hot cakes and then my problem was I needed more t-shirts to meet my demands. A month later, I had funding and we were off the ground. There are three people in charge of the brand. Somehow I ended up being the posterboy/spokesperson of the executive group.

How did you fund your business in the beginning?

Initially, I funded the business by myself. I paid for all the samples to be done recouping my costs as I went along. When I needed funding to do things on a larger scale, I went to people I knew had the type of money I was looking for.. I was quite fortunate that I only had to speak to one person. The pitch wasn’t perfect but the evidence of the potential and the enthusiasm I had were obvious and I think that helped a great deal.

When would you say, you first experienced your entrepreneurial talent?

I first experienced my entrepreneurial talent when I sold homeworks at school. It only happened a few times but I was excited that I was trading……or maybe it was that I was getting money that I could spend on sweets etc. Either way, I always seized any opportunity I had since then to make a sale.

What types of setbacks have you encountered? How would you say you deal with them?

The biggest setback I’ve encountered is other people. That includes people I’m working with(my camp) or people working with me(outsiders). No one else will be as reliable or as enthusiastic as I will about my products therefore I have learnt to anticipate non-performance of duties by others and have a backup plan.

Sometimes, it is life itself that gets in the way. Everyone does what they’re supposed to and then it snows or rains or floods or there is an outbreak of swine flu or events get cancelled or something drastic interrupts ones plans. When that happens, all you can do is mitigate your losses if you have any and have the strength of character to continue with your plan.

You recently climbed a mountain, what the motive behind it was?

I recently climbed the highest mountain in England (Scafell Pike) for Breast Cancer Research UK. The motivation for me to do it was two-fold. One, I wanted to do something for a charity and Cancer Research was the obvious choice for me because I lost my biological mother to cancer. Two, I wanted to do something unusual for me and that I would find difficult and extremely challenging. The mountain climb was it.

I had no training for it and made no preparations just because I didn’t have the time(work & everyday commitiments). It was an immense achievement for me. Conquering the mountain reboosted my belief in my ability to conquer other ‘mounatins’, some of which the Get Hench brand presents.

If you could change one thing about your business what would you change?

If I could make any changes, I cant definitely say it would be to the business itself. Perhaps maybe to contacts I’ve had/used and prices I’ve paid. (Always check to see if someone is willing to beat your current price in order to gain your custom)

Finally, what “wisdom words” do you have for young entrepreneurs of today?

‘Words of Wisdom’ – Always do what you’ve said you will do, even if it is to your inconvenience. The reason for this is that your integrity matters in business and people will judge you on it(it is a very small world and people talk). Also, don’t be afraid to ask for things(reductions in price, funding, deals, extras……whatever).

The worst a person could say is no and that does not leave you in a worse position than you were in prior to. Finally, don’t discriminate on who you sell your product to(you don’t have to like them). Every person you snub is potential profit you push away………..in addition, make every single customer feel like they are the reason you’re doing what you’re doing. You will always get repeat business.

Thanks for your time olu

No problem.

Get in touch with him on facebook

My Interview with Jessica van Zanten, The 23 years old founder and director of the London Jewellery School, the largest independent jewellery-training provider in the UK.

Hope you enjoy the interview

Hey Jessica, It’s nice to have you here with us today, how are you doing?

I’m good! Great to be here, just a bit tired, been teaching a 5 day jewellery class teaching people how to set up their own jewellery business! It is very rewarding sending them off on their way and watching their
businesses grow.

So tell us about yourself? What do you do?

Well, my name is Jessica van Zanten and I am 23 years old and I am the founder and director of the London Jewellery School, the largest independent jewellery-training provider in the UK. The Jewellery School runs 100’s of jewellery making classes throughout the year, which includes everything from beading and wire-work
to gold and silver jewellery.

My role is running the school along with my trusted staff and tutors, I also teach some of the classes and make sure the school is a friendly, safe and professional place to learn the lovely skill of jewellery making.

What’s your entrepreneurial story? How did you start making jewellery?

Well I started making jewellery around 6 years ago when I was 17 but got serious about it around 3 years ago. I have always loved buying and wearing jewellery and so one day it hit me that making jewellery would be such a fun thing to do, I could make it for friends and family and maybe even make a business out of it.

When I was 20 I decided to take the leap and leave my job to set up making and selling jewellery full-time. I didn’t do a degree or lots of fancy training in jewellery; all of my training has been done through short courses just like the ones we run at the jewellery school. So I am a real advocate of learning through short courses.

I ran my own jewellery business for a few years making and selling jewellery in shops, fairs, online and through friends and family. In the meantime I started teaching jewellery mainly as a side-line initially. Once I began teaching I realised that that is what I really wanted to do.

The jewellery school started just over 2 years ago from a community hall in Dulwich, South London and to begin with we ran one class every month. This was very popular and one class turned in to ten and we now run over 50 classes every month throughout the year. In January 2010 we moved to our current venue in London’s famous jewellery quarter, Hatton Garden and the school is going from strength to strength.

Why did you decide to start London Jewellery School? What is the purpose behind it?

The main reason I decided to set up the London Jewellery School is because when I was doing my training for jewellery making there were so few, high quality jewellery courses in London. There were lots in Birmingham, York, Cornwall and over the UK but barely anything in London. This, combined with the discovery of how much I enjoy teaching and introducing people to the joys of making jewellery was what fueled the drive behind starting the school and I haven’t looked back since.

The purpose of the school is to provide, high-quality, fun and professional jewellery making classes for people of all ages and abilities. Our motto is ‘everyone can make jewellery’ which we truly believe. It is such a fun and rewarding activity which many people think will be too hard or that they are not creative enough, the jewellery school welcomes everyone who wants to learn and have a go.

How is it going so far?

Really good. Its been lots of hard work but we are now happy at our venue in Hatton Garden, have over 16 world-class tutors and an ever growing list of classes. It is such fun being able to come in to work everyday to a jewellery school where people are enjoying their time, there is lots of lovely jewellery being made and it is such a comfortable and friendly environment. I wouldn’t change it for anything!

What are some of the key lessons that you’ve learnt along the way?

Planning! I do tend to jump in headfirst and get very excited by everything, sometimes I forget to plan ahead and make sure everything is going to work. Also to appreciate the people around you, your support networks and don’t forget how valuable they are. And finally not to be too hard on yourself, when you are running your own business there is know one telling you how well you are doing so every now and then you have to give your self a little pat on the back.

How did you raise money to fund it?

I worked for a year before I set up and raised some money through that. I also borrowed a similar amount and the rest has all been done through growth. For the first two years nearly all the money that was made was ploughed back into the school so that we could grow.

What’s your inspiration for the design on your jewellery?

That’s a difficult one, when I am designing my own jewellery my inspiration comes from lots of sources. Everything from art, music and fashion to looking at other jewelers work and even everyday things such as nature and of course materials. But mainly I make things that I enjoy wearing. I also make to commission so that means working from the customers designs, this is a great way of broadening your skills.

What jewellery designer do you most admire?

Wow that really is a difficult one – I can’t just choose one there are 100’s. I like most of the jewelers on Astley Clarke as well as lots of metal clay artists such as Julia Rai and Celie Fago. Also some of our past students such as Emma Hadley and also lots more.

What’s the most expensive item you have sold?

Most of my jewellery is not that expensive, but I did once sell a necklace for £500. That was quite a lot. It was a butterfly necklace made from lots and lots of silver and gold butterfly’s – it was beautiful and looked stunning on the lady that brought it.

What makes a piece of jewellery timeless?

Timeless jewellery would be made with high quality materials and instead of following recent trends it would be something classic that has lasted through the ages such as pearls, gold or silver. Other than that I think it is a very personal thing, what may seem timeless to one person may be junk to another. One of the great things about jewellery is everyone is different and has their own style, jewellery can be a way of expressing this and is unique for everyone.

How has your work developed since you first started designing?

I think it has developed in that I have learnt new techniques and worked with a range of different materials, I have also seen a lot more jewellery from different designers, which has an influence along with lots of experimentation and trial and error. I still haven’t decided where I will land but and just enjoying playing for now and seeing where my own designs take me.

Is jewellery essential?

No. But it is really, really nice!

What kind of person would come to the Jewellery School?

Well anyone can come to the jewellery school and we welcome all ages and abilities, I think that is one of the things that makes us special. But generally specking we have lots of women (some men too) aged between 18-65. So it is quite a range. We also have children’s jewellery workshops in the summer and in holidays.

Most people come because they either want a fun activity to do in their spare time, because it was given to them as a gift or they are starting up a jewellery business and want to learn skills.

Which celebrity would you love to wear your jewellery and why?

Probably Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine, because I think her music is great and love her style. Also she is a great, young British talent.

What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?

Moving to Hatton Garden, It really is the center of jewellery making in London and is just the perfect place for us to be. The school has grown so much since we moved and it is something I will never forget.

Who do you go to for your business advice?

I don’t have one particular person, if I have a question I tend to ask lots of different people for their opinion and then decide based on what they say combined with my thoughts. I think relying on one person for all the answers could be tricky, going to lots of different people gives you a wider perspective on things. Although ultimately the decisions are yours to make and take the consequences of, whether they be good or bad. – Hopefully good!

What is your favorite trend of the moment?

Big floral necklaces and statement pieces with lots of colour. I love them! Bold jewellery covered in flowers – I am actually working on a piece like this at the moment.

How do you relax outside work?

I go salsa dancing! I used to be a dancer so love to dance so I try and go at least once a week, it is really fun, relaxing and much better than the gym.

What should we be expecting from you in the future?

That’s difficult to say – did I mention planning ahead wasn’t my strong point!
Just playing… the jewellery school will be continuing to grow and developing and we are also now selling jewellery-making supplies which we hope to expand on as well as developing our children’s parties and gift certificate programmes.

I think once the jewellery school is running its self, I will spend more time focusing on my own designs and jewellery range, so who knows you may see it in your local shops one day!

Any advice for anyone looking to get involved in the jewellery business?

I think it is the same as any business if you want it enough go for it! It is lots of hard work but also well worth it, it is the best thing I have ever done and if I can do it anyone can. Oh and come to our ‘5-day intensive set up your own jewellery business course’ Its great.

Thanks for your time Jessica.

Charlene-Chizell Ankumah, Currently a Student at the University of Buckingham. But what she does when she is not in university, is what is bringing all the Headlines. A former employee of Stansted Airport, Financial LTD, Charlene is now the founder of an online jewellery Boutique, Matris Estus. Ok enough of the Sweet talks;

Char, how you doing? Thanks for been with us on YHP

Thanks, for asking me to come down for YHP

Can you give us some briefly background information about yourself?

I’m only 21, my mum is from Ghana, i was raised by a single parent, and I’ve always lived in Essex, “that’s it really”, i go to uni, i work very hard, “that’s like the personal sell yourself kind of thing”, you know, that’s it!

The name of your business, how did that come about?

Matris Estus is basically Latin, because I’ve been raised in a catholic church and the catholic language is Latin so i wanted to have something because I’m a really spiritual person so i wanted something that was related to my religious spirituality and at the same time sort of represented my business, So Matris Estus basically means “mother’s core” and obviously you know real metal, solid jewels and things like that comes from the earth so i kind of took that idea and my love of the Latin language and came up with Matris Estus and that’s incorporated with the logo because the logo is actually of a elephant and they say the elephant is kind of like a maternal animal so that why i decided to have something that was associated with an elephant, not like a big diamond or something like that, so it’s all to do with my love for Latin, you know what my brand represents and what it will always represent.

So what role do you actually perform in the business?

I’m actually a relaxed laid back, calm person, you know I’m just cool about things, i don’t like to be referred to as the creative director or CEO or things like that, i just prefer the go-to girl.

Ok, I guess i will start calling the go-to girl now (Laughter)

So how did you raise funds to start your business?

I built my own pilot website from scratch, at the time, i did not have the money to get a professional website done, as i knew i wanted to build an online jewellery boutique, i built the website to basically get the word out there, how people felt about it and the response i got was really really overwhelming, it was from the sales i got from that i was able to fund the brand new website/online jewellery boutique that we have at the moment.

You dint mention how you got the money to buy the first supply/products?

That actually came from savings that i had.

You went on work experience for a year, how did that influence/inspire you to start your own business?

I hated waking up early in the morning, being swashed on the jubilee line, Victoria line, i hated the responsibility because i was almost 19 and was no longer seen as the little kid or a student but an employee.
My placement was a huge learning opportunity for me, with what i learnt there, and i was like you know the guy/woman that sits in the big office, i actually want to be that person.

It was through my year of working that i realised that i wanted to work for myself, i thank God that i made the decision to go on placement.

Would you advice students to take a year out for work/placement?

I definitely would recommend it, you not only learn more about your field but a lot more about life and how things work, especially discipline and how businesses make their money .

Coming back to M.E, which is what I’m going to call it? Who are your target markets?

My target market is anybody that loves jewellery, i think jewellery is universal, can be worn by men, women, children, it can be accessorised in so many different ways, you see dogs wearing like dog collars blinged out, we carter for everybody that likes unique, affordable one-off piece jewellery.

So what makes it unique because it sounds so general, what makes me as a customer feel special or exclusive buying from Matris Estus?

It is always, always to supply the best quality, unique one – off pieces at affordable prices to our customer, so as our customer not only do you get jewellery for a great price but we also make sure it is of the highest quality.

What ways are you looking to market your products?

Basically reaching out to Sugar magazine and looking to reach other male magazines as well because we do sell men jewellery pieces on the boutique website and by wearing my jewelleries, Word of mouth as friends and family are always wearing the jewelleries.

How have you managed to balance your time with university work and business?

I don’t know, i really do not know, But i sometimes find it hard because i have so much love and passion for my business and sometimes get tempted using university time for business but really it is hard, i don’t even have the right term to use, lets me put it this way, it is hard to work hard.

On that Note, what do you think it takes to become a successful entrepreneur?

I know this is such a boring, repeated, cliché answer, everyone says it, but as someone up and coming i understand where people say it, you need to be dedicated, determined and work hard, i know that’s such a boring answer and i wish i had something hot and fresh to say but that’s the ingredients, you want to make that recipe, that’s the ingredients.

Apart from your company, Is there any other company out there that you admire the most?

That’s a really good question, I would say probably the Rocawear Brand, I like that brand, i really admire them, i think it was established in 1999 and for it to be where it is now, that’s really really cool, I’m not going to go into details of what they’ve done, a company like that is what i like, obviously i prayed for success and i don’t want overnight success.

Do you have any books or audios you read that you would like to suggest to our readers?

The most inspiring is the Bible, it really his, everything you want to know, and everything you need to know is in there. If you’re a Muslim, take the Quran, those spiritual books really help.

What’s the best advice that you’ve been given so far?

The best was to be patient because I’m such an eager person, I’m always like click click bang bang, everything to be done quick quick.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?

In the next 5-10 years, i would have graduated, i would be a chartered marketer, bought myself a house, MATRIS ESTUS will be a recognised jewellery store, and I would have a food chain, those five things I’m cool with them.

Do you have any tips for upcoming entrepreneurs as yourself?

To definitely have some form of spirituality in yourself because it goes a long way and don’t let little things get to you to fall back, i know its easier said than done but if you have something in your head, tell someone, someone you trust of course to help you tweak it and make it better.

I hope to see a lot more female entrepreneurs because its so typical to see a lot of guys doing their thing, so would love to see a lot of ladies coming out with their stuff.

Finally before we finish what should we be expecting from you and M.E in the nearest future?

You should be expecting a watch; we’re going to be branching out into watches, water resistant watches, right now we specialise in rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

SO yeah, brand exposure and recognition internationally and expansion

Thank you char for your time.

Thanks for having me

Check out their new website: http://www.MatrisEstus.com
Follow them on Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/MatrisEstus

Today, I’m with a young entrepreneur inspiring people to be themselves by starting a clothing line, Be You! Apparel and he is only 18 years of age! Hey Cameron, Thanks for taking the time to do this interview with me, Welcome to YHP, How you doing?

I’m doing good thanks a little annoyed that it’ freezing cold and raining again but I guess that’s the British weather for you *laughs*

Before we jump right in, Can you give us some background information about yourself?

Basically, I’m an up & coming designer studying Fashion at College. I started designing about 3 years ago, Creating custom Myspace layouts then slowly moved onto T-shirt designs as I had a little experience printing T-shirts using a heat press and then finally I moved onto working on my own brand

Is this your first company?

I used to have a clothing company before called ‘Imah Flyboy’ & ‘Imah Flygurl’ which was running for about a year or so until I saw the designs on another person’s page when I stopped, but I had Be You! Apparel in the wings at the time so this didn’t really phase me at all and I just moved on.

How did you come up with the idea to start a business?

As I used to print T-shirts and such, I thought it would be easier to have a brand that had the clothes printed in a factory then me doing it manually, which was very time consuming and got in the way of college.

How did your business get off the ground?

Basically after many months of research into printers & stockists I finally found someone who could tend to our needs and just took a big risk and went on from there.

Who are your target customers?

Our customers are mostly the Younger crowd (13-24yrs) although some of the garments produced can be worn on literally anyone hence the name ‘’Be You!’’

Why the name Be You!. Did it have to do with something you were going through at the time?

I’ve always got my biggest inspiration from my surroundings and at that time I was seeing a lot of people who were very fake. I call Be You! ‘’The Honest Brand’’ because we focus on the three true aspects of people which I have interpreted as “Arrogance, Vanity, Selfishness”, so these are the 3 main elements of the brand. To ‘Be You!’ is to be truthful to your true personality.

How did you raise money to start the business?

At the time I started I was employed so I used most of my pay as well money I had saved up and invested it all into starting Be You! Apparel. If I’m honest finding finance to start up and then expand a business has to be one of the hardest challenges every young entrepreneur has to face.

You recently turned 18, how did you get into business so early?

Having studied business during Secondary school, I had a healthy introduction to business grasping the basics quite easily and once I got into college I tried to keep myself up to date with different businesses and how they were running.

What do customers say when they find out you are so young?

Most of my customers are my age so they’re quite impressed but it doesn’t really phase them though they are surprised just for the simple fact that around South West London, there is a lack of designers, we’re more the musical side of London… so seeing someone doing something different then music to get themselve’s out there is quite rare.

How do you deal with the legal aspects of running a business? Who helps you with contracts, paying taxes, and so on?

Most of the legal aspects are covered by Lucas (PR & Marketing) who has experience from running previous companies with those issues and so luckily I don’t have to worry too much about them! *laughs*

How has the journey been so far for you?

The journey has been quite bumpy, nothing I wasn’t expecting but the only problem that has arisen is raising awareness and lately funding for expansion and this has made the journey quite hard but as they say ‘Everything that’s worth having is worth fighting for’ -and no that’s not from the Cheryl Cole song-

How many people are involved in the company at the moment?

At the moment, there’s Me (C.E.O), Lucas (PR & Marketing), Nathan (Head of Promotions) & Joshua (Head of Sales)

What was the most challenging part of starting the business?

The lack of confidence… the constant mind changes, I was very aware of other people’s views on everything and I just kept changing my mind.

What has been your most successful method in advertising the brand so far?

The most successful method by far has got to be advertising with the Facebook page and groups. If I’m honest at the moment social networking accounts for virtually all our advertising and without I doubt whether our brand or for that matter many other brands would be able to operate as effectively or even exist. Social networking has truly revolutionised the internet and opened up a world of social connections and free advertising… as you can probably tell I’m a big fan of social networks!

How do you balance college and also running a business? How do you manage your time?

This has by far been the most hardest aspect of running the business, because if I’m honest, the business has come in the way of college many a times, as I’ve always got my blackberry I’m mostly connected to everyone in the business all day, so that helped defeat the communication problem. I manage my time to deal with business from Thursday to Tuesday as my college week finishes on Thursday.

So what should we be expecting next from you? University? Your business?

Yeah, university is just around the corner and to be honest I really can’t wait, I’ll be studying Business at Uni to just update me on everything I need to know before I start working on getting Be You! worldwide. We should be releasing a shop with Freakological in the next year or so called ‘Be Freaky’ and last but not least, the Summer series, where we will release a new line of products every month of the summer.

What was the biggest mistake you’ve made and what did you learn from it?

The biggest mistake was bringing out a “collection” of clothes instead of just releasing 1 design on a different range of garments. After seeing the demand for certain designs which I couldn’t tend to I had to scrap the collections. I’ve learnt that as the brand is still in an introductory state, a collection is too much selection.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs who are getting started in business?

Start a business because you have a PASSION for it, don’t do it just for money or because you see other people doing it, a business has to have a meaning.

Do you have a favourite quote?

“Enjoy who you are. Don’t hate yourself for what you aren’t” I only came across this quote quite recently, but it just relates to the brand in so many ways.

What was the biggest lesson you learned in secondary school that applies to our generation?

I think that it’s only at secondary school where you start to understand that people are going to look at the same things and events you do and form completely different opinions then you did and be able to justify their opinion just as well as you do yours. So I would say that the biggest lesson you learn at secondary school is that everyone is going to have their own opinion about something and that just because their opinion is different from yours doesn’t necessarily mean its wrong after all everyone has the right to be themselves.

Who do you think could be really good role models for teens, and why?

To be honest although they often get a lot of flak I would say young actors like for example Jamie Bell are good role models, they’re successful but they only got there by hard work –yes believe me acting is hard work It’s not anywhere as easy as it looks I know I tried it at GCSE and it was NOT easy- determination and taking risks. Business wise I would say business guru’s like Richard Branson and my personal inspiration Tomoaki ‘Nigo’ Nagao –founder of BAPE Clothing- are also good role models for teenagers and in fact for anyone; like all successful people they were persistent in their efforts to be successful and they were willing to take risks and put everything on the line and look where it got them!

How important is family support for a young entrepreneur?

Family support is important, but at the same time the only person you can really rely on is yourself, so even without family, as long as you have the passion and the right dreams, the world is your oyster!

Any plans to expand the current business?

We are hoping to rebrand the first t-shirts we brought out as ‘Be You! Originals’ and bring out a new series called the ‘Good Times’ Series but any further plans for expansion are on hold while we look for additional investment so we can expand without taking too much of a risk.

What are the sites, social networks or groups a young entrepreneur should join or follow to get advice?

Well obviously there’s the big ones like Facebook which is invaluable for any entrepreneur because of the connections you can make on it and the free promotional opportunities it offers.

Myspace especially if the young entrepreneur is or wants to be involved in the Music or fashion industry and Twitter which is great for networking and quickly starting and learning about trends as well as you know… just following people that inspire you.

Aside from those I would recommend http://cmypitch.com/ a great website which allows you to make a video pitch available to hundreds of potential investors and http://www.enterpriseuk.org a social networking site for young entrepreneurs.

Of course I would also recommend that young entrepreneurs set up their own website especially if they are going to be involved in retail for example we have an account with bigcartel a site that provides a hassle free platform for clothing companies and other small businesses to sell their products without much in the way of monthly fees or ‘hidden’ costs. So as you can probably see there’s lots of opportunities out there for young entrepreneurs to use the internet as a key component of their business.

Thank you for your time Cameron, hope you have you back on the platform in the future.

Today i have micky and rajohan, founders of Uneek Garmz, they share their story with us on how they started their company, their entrepreneurial journey and their plans for the future.

Enjoy the interview!

Hey Guys, how are you both doing today?

Great… “The sun is shining the weather is sweet, makes you wanna move your dancing feet.” (In actual fact it’s threatening to snow again, but hey ho.)

Can you give us some background information? About yourself? Who you are? What roles both you play in the company?

Micky: Hmmm… This is where we tell you about growing up in the troubled East London area and dreaming of getting out right? How we used to shoot up schools but we’ve turned it all around because a kind hearted old black man taught us how to play basket ball well and believed in us?

We’ll we’re not your typical Cinderella story. We are both from East London but contraire to the bad press it receives, we actually both love living here. We travel ALOT for work and despite visiting some wonderful places there really is no place like home and my ruby slippers be a tapping after a few days away!

Rajohan: Its true, the ruby slippers, the black Louboutins, the pink Dr Martens, the red Converse – Micky has a lot of shoes! Nah, but seriously, London is so full of talented people, I am so inspired by people who are creative and driven and doing what we do we get to meet those people first hand.

One of the reasons why we started Uneek was because we found it hard when Micky first started doing photography to network in industry and gain exposure for her work and the more people we did meet the more we realised we weren’t the only ones. That’s why we wanted to have a featured artist section on the website to help to give people who are truely talented a helping hand to getting their name out there.

Micky: The roles we play in the company are pretty simple really, I’m the eyes of the company and

Rajohan is the mind. He comes up with concepts for the branding, marketing ideas and deals with all the paperwork which would make my eyes go crossed and I put those ideas “onto paper”, I design stuff for the brand, the website content, I take and edit all of our marketing images and I create the final designs for the clothing.

What inspired you both to start the company?

Rajohan: Well we were only 21 when we started the company and for me that was the age when I actually really started think, “right what do I want to do with my life?” College was done and I knew I didn’t want to work a nine to five forever, I wanted to wake up and be inspired, I wanted to work for myself and I wanted to make a lot of money!

Coming from a street dance background I had already begun to decide that I wanted to do something creative as a career and something that would give me the freedom to be my own boss and I’ve always loved fashion so when Micky asked me to be her partner in crime I couldn’t say no!

Micky: Yeah, weve both always loved fashion but we realised a long time ago that the things we loved weren’t that easy to find in high street shops, not only that but I hate walking into a place to find 10 girls wearing the top I just brought from Topshop which is why I rarely buy high street anymore.

We’ve been customising our clothes for a long time to create things which other people wouldn’t have and we get loads of people asking where they could get stuff like ours so I started thinking about putting a label together.
The main difference I wanted Uneek to have was not only the designs but also the fact that they are true limited edition. Where most brands say limited but there’s actually a 50,000 piece run, our clothes actually are.

How did you get started in this business?

It wasn’t easy, it was loads of research and a lot of trial and error. You have to be dedicated and motivated, it’s not something that I would recommend for someone hoping to make a quick quid without putting in the work. We were both working fulltime jobs when we started Uneek and we had to put in late nights for no pay just to get everything done for the launch but it was definitely worth it.

Were you both exposed to entrepreneurship as a child or was it something you picked along the way?

Micky: Not entrepreneurship but definitely hard work. Both my parents taught me from a young age that you can’t plough a field by turning it over in your mind which is why I got my first job at 15. My mum and dad have always been a massive inspiration for me, they both had to struggle to provide for me and my younger brother and sisters.
I realised from a young age that you get out what you put in and also that I don’t want to have to struggle to get by, I want to be successful enough to re-pay them for all the opportunities they have given me and to make them proud.

Rajohan: I agree with Micky, I haven’t been exposed to entrepreneurship but my older brother and sister were great role models to me growing up. I know the value of money, like Micky I got my first job at a young age and working for a national newspaper I know what grind is, and what can be gained from hard work.

How did you finance the business?

The business was financed with our own money. We invested in it because we believe in it. What we’re doing is not only a business to us, it is a project that is grounded in all the things that we are passionate about and luckily other people are passionate about it too so it’s proven itself to be a worthy investment.

What was the most difficult part of starting the business?

The nerves, that’s why we named our first blog newbies, nerves and neeks! The hard work and long hours was nothing compared to the nerves of when the website went live and we were awaiting the public response. Uneek started as an idea in 2007 and we worked on it for a long time getting everything to our version of perfect but the hardest thing was seeing if people were actually going to appreciate it like we do.

I have seen loads of clothing line come out of the UK over the past year, what makes your business different/unique? Or s it just another clothing company?

A lot of people ask this and somewhere in all our paperwork is our original business plan which clearly has all our objectives and number one is to not be just another clothing company. The reason we started Uneek was because we had enough of all those carbon copies.

We wanted to bring something fresh to the table. We promote young artists, we provide services like photoshoots and styling, we put creative people in touch with other creative people and try to help the UK creative scene grow, and we do all of that looking fly in clothing that you can’t get at every boutique in Shoreditch. So are we just another clothing company? Ask our customers ;o)

What is an average workday like for you?

There are no average days, that’s what we love about it. One day we can be shooting for a magazine editorial with some of the most creative young minds in London, the next we can be in China sourcing new products, it’s crazy and exciting and tiring but we love it!

How have sales grown in the last few months?

We’re really lucky in that since we started the support has been huge, our customer base is always growing and a lot of our customers keep coming back to get more bits for themselves and as presents for other people! A lot of our customers have brought a few bits after they received their first order which lets us know that were doing something right.

What are the most crucial things you have done to grow your business?

Looking after the people that support us. We wouldn’t be here without our customers and our fans, once people sign up to the mailing list they are part of the Uneek Family and get exclusive discounts and news bulletins whenever we have shoots and things, we like to let our customers know when we need models etc because we like them to get involved in Uneek, they’re the reason for our success so it’s only right that they should share in it.

What plans do you have now to expand your business further?

We’ve got a lot planned for this year. We have a whole host of new products that will be on the website shortly and lots of exciting events that we’re going to be organising to give our customers a chance to get involved more. We’re also going to be doing some fundraising for charity. We believe that when you’re blessed in your life it’s so that you can bless other people.

How do you market your products or services? What has been your most effective marketing tactic?

Most of our marketing is done online as we are an online business and we don’t sell in the shops to keep our products exclusive. We’re on social networking sites as it not only gives us an opportunity to find new people that may be interested in what we do but it also helps us to keep up with our existing fans and customers.

What three pieces of advice would you offer entrepreneurs starting out today?

Micky: Be prepared to work hard, don’t get into this industry unless you have the drive to see it through, it’s not a quick fix to make money you do have to put in the hours.

Rajohan: Read, research and learn, even now, were forever learning – it’s what helps our business to grow, if you become complacent then that’s it, you won’t go any further.

Micky: Have fun, you have to be passionate about what you’re doing, enjoy every last second because there will be days when you’re working nonstop and feel like just jacking it in but it’s those days that your passion will get you through.

If you were to start another business, what might it be?

Micky: The obvious ones would be a photography studio, a magazine or possibly another clothing line, this industry is all linked and its where my passion lies but for me its not if it’s when so I cant give too much away.

That said, one thing which I would love to do is to start a charity that provides support and counselling for carers of people with Multiple Sclerosis.

Not many people know but aside from all this, for the last 5 years I was also a fulltime carer for my dad who sadly passed away in September from MS. I know firsthand how hard it is to live through that illness and I also know there’s not a huge amount of support available for carers as it’s not as well documented an illness as something like Cancer. I’d like to raise awareness about MS and help the people that have to live with this illness.

What are the biggest challenges you face now?

Keeping up with Uneek and finding the time to have a holiday! The label has already surpassed all our expectations and is continually growing.
When you find something that you’re so passionate about and it is received so well it can become hard to switch off and to delegate to other people. We know how we want everything done so it’s tempting to work, work, work to make sure it’s perfect for our fans but it’s important to find time for ourselves and our family and friends.
We need to delegate where possible because we can’t do everything on our own! This year were definitely going to be looking in to hiring more staff!

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years or so?

Doing what we’re doing now but 100 times bigger.

Thanks for your time.

Check out their Blog: http://www.uneekgarmz.tumblr.com and Join their facebook Group to stay updated with their latest products.
Follow them on twitter

How many of us have girlfriends who spend over 40 hours stitching up canvases and over $300 having them made into belt, well now you know of one story, This marked the beginning of two roommates Peter Smathers and Austin Branson starting up a business that will focus on how they could make needlepoint belts at lower prices and of the highest quality.

I caught up with Peter and Austin to get some details on how it all began.

Enjoy the interview and let me know your thoughts.

Hi Guys, Welcome to YHP
Can you give us some detail about your company and what roles you both perform?

We both do a little of everything. Austin heads up and oversees all the design work and ordering for our company. Peter focuses on operation, sales, and product development.

How did you come up with the idea?

We both dated girls in college who made us needlepoint belts as gifts. We thought they were great products, but extremely expensive and time consuming gifts to make for someone. The girls (one of whom is Austin’s wife now) each spent over 40 hours stitching the canvases and over $300 having them made into belt. We were convinced if we could set up production to produce these belts at a lower price and the highest quality then we’d have a unique product to build a brand around.

Can you give us some background information about yourself?

Peter grew up in Maine, graduated from Deerfield Academy in 2000 and Bowdoin College in 2004.
Austin grew up in Washington, DC, graduated from Saint Albans Academy in 200 and Bowdoin College in 2004.

How did you finance your business?

Summer earnings and cheap rent (thanks Mr. and Mrs. Branson). After graduating from school we moved in with Austin’s parents to keep overhead low. We put all of our savings into getting the company off the ground. We used things such as airline miles and credit card points to get to Vietnam to set up our production. Our initial investment was pretty small and it has been the best investment we’ve ever made. We were and continue to be very frugal with how we spend our money—stretching a budget can produce great creativity.

What is an average workday like for you guys?

Every day is different and that is what is exciting about our company. It really keeps you on your toes. Right now, we are in the middle of our wholesale show season, so we are travelling a lot and meeting with existing accounts and hopefully open new ones.

How has your market changed in the past few years? How has your business changed to keep pace?

We’ve been continuing to grow during this difficult economy, but our market continues to be bigger than we ever expected. We’ve had to hire more people and expand our production and product offerings to keep pace.

How have sales grown in the last few years?

Sales have continued to grow over the past few years. The growth hasn’t stopped, but definitely slowed down during the crisis in 2009.

How do you market your products or services?

We sell to some of the best speciality shops and golf clubs in the USA, as well as off of our website.

What has been your most effective marketing tactic or technique?

We offer the best quality products on the market and have the customer service to match. Sticking to this simple fundamental principle has helped us grow a loyal customer base. Also, we are all about grassroots growth—it has built a great buzz and foundation for our brand.

What’s your definition of success, and do you believe you’ve achieved it yet?

Success is something that is very difficult for me to define—I think I will always be chasing it no matter what happens in our business. We’ve had some success with our business early on, but success can leave you much faster than you can obtain it—so we never get too comfortable.

Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?

Patagonia, Peter Millar

Would you say college is the perfect place/time to start a business?

If the idea is right, now is the perfect time to start a business. College can be a great time because odds are you don’t have a mortgage, spouse, children, or other responsibilities that might make starting a business difficult. Plus, you have so many resources at your finger tips.

What pointers would you give to fellow Entrepreneurial College students on juggling school and business?

Take advantage of the resources available your school—both the research facilities and faculty. The President of our college was supportive of our idea and arranged meetings for us with some industry leaders.

What have been some of your failures, and what have you learnt from them?

We have definitely had our fair share of failures, but all of the problems we’ve had in our business have helped us improve or have led us to something better. Pay attention to your failures because you can often learn more from them than you can from your victories.

What is the most exciting and interesting thing you like about your business?

Watching the company grow and seeing first hand what we can accomplish with the great team that we now have in place.

Any plans for the future?

We will be creating some new features for our website, and adding new products.

What advice would you give to aspiring and young entrepreneurs?

If you plan to start your business with a partner, choose them carefully. Even if they are your best friend, make sure you structure the dissolution of your business before you get going. We have been incredibly lucky in our business partnership, but we have also seen our fair share of partnerships sour quickly.

Thanks so much for your time guys.

Check out their website
Become a fan of SmathersandBranson
Follow them on twitter

It’s incredible how young entrepreneurs are constantly starting up companies, i mean it’s by the minutes these days, Oliver has started three companies so far and he’s not even out of the university, I can tell from the mood that he’s in i don’t think he is looking to stop anytime soon. He started his first company at 15.

He discusses the following in the Interview:

What Inspired him to start a business at age 15?
How he raised funds for his first business?
His Current Projects
Why he considers himself as a serial entrepreneur
What he thinks young entrepreneur should do before starting up a new business

How you doing Oliver, thanks for taking time to be with us on YHP
Can you quickly give us a quick background about yourself and what you do?

I’m 21 and am studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University. I’ll graduate in June 2010 and have accepted a job with a brand consultancy called Happen in London, where I worked over the summer – they do very interesting work in developing new products and services for all sorts of clients – including Cadbury’s and Tesco. When not at university, I live near Cambridge with my brother Thomas (who has just started at Edinburgh reading ecology) and with my Mum Lesley who works as a secretary for an architect.

That’s Great Oliver

You started your business when you were 15? How was that? What inspired to start up a business?

It was a daunting process but I was helped with the legal and official side of things by a friend of my mum’s – Paul, who joined the business as a director because I was too young at the time – being only 16. He gave me a hand with all the bank account opening and tax registration – he also took me to trade shows and to meet key suppliers – it wouldn’t have happened without him.

I mean it is always great to have someone who can help us especially someone with experience.

I was inspired to start the business by my mum, who when I was moaning about not being able to find size 13 shoes, suggested jokingly that I should start my own company. When I did a bit of internet research and found only weak competition, she was incredibly supportive and pushed me to go for it.

I’d always been interested in money and business – I had been giving my dad share tips since I was 11 and enjoyed reading about companies and that sort of thing in the newspaper. The idea of owning my own business excited me.

Let’s start from your first business? What made you go into the shoe industry?

It was really just because I had had the problem finding shoes for my own big feet – that’s what prompted the whole venture – it’s not like I had been looking to specifically start a business before the shoe issue arose! What sold me to the idea was a large trade show which we went to in Leicester which had a huge variety of different manufacturers and suppliers which convinced me that there was plenty of potential to turn this in to a tangible enterprise.

How did you raise funds for your business?

Since the age of 14, I had run a mobile disco along with a friend from school – we would do weddings, birthdays and that sort of thing. That is quite a lucrative little money spinner and it had given me plenty of cash which I used to fund Bigger Feet. It allowed me to purchase software to build a website, buy some initial stock, as well as pay company registration fees etc. When things got busy with lots of orders we did have some cash flow problems which led to me clearing every penny out of my bank account to pay bills, but luckily the cash all came back in and I didn’t lose out. If I had run the company for much more time I imagine that I would have needed more investment.

Why did you leave that business?

I was applying to Oxford at the time and doing a lot of extra work outside of my A level homework – reading whole piles of books in preparation for interview and all that sort of thing – I just didn’t have the time to keep the company going, and I also knew that whichever university I went to, it would be hard to run the company from home, and so the best idea might be to sell it early to allow for a smooth transition.

Tell us about your current business?

There are two projects that I am working on at the moment. The first is www.forge-properties.com – a French townhouse that my mum and I have renovated and which we are renting out to holidaygoers. That was a lot of effort in terms of DIY and a new learning curve being in a foreign country, but it seems to have paid off and we have had a fair few bookings.

The second enterprise which I have on the go is genderchecker.com – a site which tells users whether a name is male, female or unisex. Having got someone’s sex wrong on the phone after not recognising their name on paper, I thought that it might be an issue which other people might have. The site has had several thousand user visits since Easter, and has also generated a booking for the house in France – meaning that it has already broken even. Whilst this site won’t make millions of pounds, it has been an interesting learning process, and should hopefully show people what I’m about.

Would you call yourself a serial entrepreneur?

Yes. Though I don’t own a conglomerate of successful businesses, I can’t help but constantly think about new opportunities, and am actually working on a premium food product at the moment even though I’m supposed to revising for my final year exams. I think being a serial entrepreneur is as much about the mindset and hunger as it is about the actual success or visibility of one’s achievements.

If you were to start another business, what might it be?

I’m not choosy – as long as it can make money and not cause harm to a vulnerable group of people, I’m open to it. Ideally, I think it will be web based and involve products rather than a service, since this will allow it be up scaled very easily and cheaply – minimising risk and allowing for the biggest returns. I’ve got a couple of ideas up my sleeve, but am planning on working for a few years in branding and marketing with Happen before taking any of them to market.

What are the most crucial things you have done to grow your business?

I think maintaining a close bond with consumers – and making them feel valued is key. It makes them want to come back to you and gives you a solid sales base which you can build on with confidence. If you can put yourself in the consumer’s shoes then you should not lose sales to rivals unavoidably, and should retain a loyal and profitable repeat group. For Forge, this means calling up guests after their stay and having a casual chat about their stay as well as sending Christmas cards and that sort of thing.

What plans do you have now to expand your business further?

For Forge, we already have another property in Turkey under development at the moment – and are hoping to cross sell the two properties to holidaymakers.

For Gender Checker, I’m looking into the corporate market – foreign call centres and that sort of thing – to see if we can rack up large scale database enquiries which we can charge for.

What do you do in your spare time?

What every other 21 year old does! A mixture of sport, going out to clubs and bars, travelling (I went to Thailand this summer) and catching up with friends. Sadly, nothing too exotic, but I wouldn’t change it!

Who do you model yourself around?

I don’t consciously try to model myself any particular one person – but like to cherry pick people’s best qualities and try to emulate that aspect of them. I like the tenacity and audacity of sports stars like David Beckham, but I also appreciate the cool and collected manner of my Grandpa and the charisma of someone like Bill Clinton for instance. Obviously, we are all our own person but I don’t think there is any harm in aspiring to develop your character.

In a business sense, I don’t really have an explicit idol – I of course admire the success and daring of people like Richard Branson, but at the moment, having not worked closely with any other entrepreneurs, I think I base my business decisions around what feels right to me rather than what I think someone else would do in my situation. I’ve clearly got lots to learn, but at the moment, it’s the best decision making process I’ve got!

Where do you see you and your business in the next 5 year?

To be quite honest I have no idea what I’ll be doing in five years. Hopefully the holiday properties will be generating enough regular income that we can sell them and effectively take out all the equity and earnings in advance and use that to do something else with.

I don’t think that genderchecker.com will be a multimillion pound company, but then again, it was only really pursued as a learning tool for future projects.

I see myself in five years with a much sharper idea of how consumers think and how to respond to that in a business sense – which Is why I have a taken a job in marketing/branding rather than jumping straight into my own business.

What advice would you like to give to young entrepreneurs looking to start up their business?

Think things through. People all too often rush in to decisions and end up ether regretting them or reversing them soon afterwards – branding is an obvious example of this – new companies rebrand all the time!

If you are confident about your chances of success, you will convince others that you will be successful, and then you will be successful.

Thanks Oliver, I mean this is great, You are constantly turning your ideas into action which i think is key in continuous learning as an entrepreneur, I would not be surprised to hear you making tons of money in the future.

Let me know what you guys think of the interview, Are you doing something similar to Oliver , or are you currently on the verge of starting up your own business, let me know, Let a comment.

Check out his different companies

BiggerFeet
Forge-Properties
Gender Checker