My First Job: The First Step To A Million Pound Business

I’ve spoken before about how I was bitten by the business bug at a very early age. School wasn’t really for me so I was constantly dreaming about having my own business, and watching my father at work added to this. He spotted that the market for leather was changing thanks to rock stars and movie stars, so he would buy materials and then manufacture jackets directly for West End boutiques.

Around this time the highlight of my week was the Sunday markets. My friends and I would meet up at Petticoat Lane market, and watch people sell anything and everything. Whether it was junk from their back gardens, fruit and veg, or the latest watches – you could find it there. Listening to the traders and their sales talk was a really amusing and exhilarating experience, and at the time, it was basically what I wanted to do.

I began going to school and telling the kids that I could get them leather jackets, just like the ones they saw on TV. I would buy the jackets from my dad for £20 and then sell them on for £35. As that was still below the retail price, they were getting a good deal. I actually used to keep some of the profit for myself, and when my dad found out I was quite nervous. However he burst out laughing, almost with pride that I had shown some business initiative. Before you knew it, he’d got me a price list and had me getting more involved in the business.

I found selling these jackets at school a lot more interesting than studying. When I think back now it makes me laugh, I was a mini me version of my father with a slight twist of ‘Only Fools and Horses’! Once I spent an entire lunchtime hanging around the teachers’ staff room, promising them a special discount - needless to say they were less than impressed.

Financially, selling just a few jackets a month was very rewarding for someone at that age. Although I wasn’t making a great deal of money, it was enough, as all I really wanted to buy were sweets and posters of the Chelsea football team.

At weekends I would go with my dad to meet suppliers and clients and I got a real feel for buying and selling, as well as building relationships. If there’s one thing I learnt from this, it’s that business should be a win-win scenario. My father always said not to squeeze the last drop of the lemon but to leave something on the table for others too. Essentially, what he was saying is that it’s not about being ruthless and aggressive.

Put yourself in the other person’s situation – whether it’s a supplier or customer – and ensure they feel like they have got a good deal as well. Everybody is entitled to make a living and by building this good relationship, you will find them more willing to do business in the future.

The other thing I learned from working in this job was to appreciate the fruits of my labour. The one thing I always wish my father had done was to take some time out. I admired his dedication, but to me there is very little point in working hard to build up a business if you are unable to enjoy the rewards.

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