The Idea That Sparked It All
Growing up in Liverpool surrounded by a fairly non-inspiring environment, I always had the aspiration to become successful. When I started sharing business ideas with friends at a tender age, they would invariably say “It won’t work” and I would answer “Oh yes it will”.
At twelve I started my first paper-round with a local newsagent; the period I most looked forward to was Christmas. Just like my online business it is all about building relations. Starting in November I ensured everyone in the neighbourhood where I dropped papers knew who their paperboy was. The aim was to receive a significant Christmas bonus to pay for a BMX. I suppose the more I achieved the more I wanted to get to the next level.
I’m sure my mother found it difficult to deal with me as a child, so small but with all these wild and wonderful ideas. At 15 I decided I didn’t like school and being a scholar was not my idea of becoming successful. One particular autumn evening I mentioned to my mum that I no longer wished to return to school, instead I preferred to work on a business idea that I believed would make me a million within the first year enabling me to leave Liverpool and move to the bright lights on London.
My only regret, or so I thought at the time, would be not being able to visit the famous landmarks around Liverpool that I had come to know and love. Not surprisingly the venture failed and for all of ten minutes I felt my business world had come to an end.
I am very fortunate that I not only have a strong and supportive family but also an intrinsic drive that always seems to overcome any obstacle that I’m faced with. There have been many occasions when I have lost money, relationships, or whole businesses, however I always had the thirst and hunger to move forward and meet the challenges head on.
I suppose that has been my motto throughout my life, always look at why something is possible rather than thinking about reasons why I cannot achieve something. I urge any would be entrepreneur to keep going and fight to achieve your goals.