A 17-year-old entrepreneur from Northamptonshire has caught the nation’s attention having overcome a difficult time in school to earn thousands with two promising companies.
Ollie Forsyth, who is currently studying at the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy – launched by Dragons Den’s Peter Jones CBE – at Warwickshire College, set up Ollie’s Shop, when aged 13, and has since established an online magazine, The Budding Entrepreneur.
Selling affordable gifts for teenagers, Ollie’s Shop turned over almost £30,000 last year.
“I’m very dyslexic so really struggled at school,” Ollie explained. “Despite having a great experience at primary, I was badly bullied at secondary and left aged 16 without qualifications. But I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur.
“I started Ollie’s shop and wanted to create something unique for teenagers and parents so they can buy fun and inexpensive gifts for friends and family. I’m really pleased with the progress I’ve made so far.”
Ollie’s story has featured in the Daily Mail, the Lad Bible and AOL Money and the Huffington Post, among others.
Following his bullying ordeal, Ollie found his feet at the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy.
He added: “I believe that if school isn’t for you, you have to follow your dreams and passions in life. When I left school, I was eager to get out there and make it happen. I wanted to be an entrepreneur and I wanted to build my enterprises.
“When I visited the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy for a day, I instantly knew this was for me. Being on the course has made me so motivated and has given me a clear idea of what I want to do in life. Everybody gets on with each other, which I haven’t really had in my school career before.”
As well as continuing to build on his early accomplishments, Ollie has ambitions to promote business education in UK schools and in developing countries. His online magazine offers fellow up-and-coming entrepreneurs a platform to promote their work