Fraser Doherty MBE started his business career at the age of fourteen. He dropped out of school and rented a factory a few days each month in order to achieve his goal. After being taught how to make jam in his grandmother’s kitchen in Scotland, he came up with a new way of making jam 100% from fruit. At just 16 years old, he presented his brand, called SuperJam, to Waitrose. He then went on to become the youngest ever supplier to a major supermarket. It has grown into a company that has sold many million of jars through supermarkets around the world. This business has invested in successful charitable projects that have run hundreds of free tea parties for the elderly. He has been commended by the Prime Minister at Drowning Street, by HRH Prince Charles and was recently awarded a medal (MBE) for services to business by The Queen. He shared this story at more than 500+ conferences in 27 countries around the world, as well as in his best-selling books SuperBuisness that was published in many countries. He was also a co-founder of Beer52 which was the world’s largest craft beer club.
This story is so inspiring because he started at such a young age and he did what he loved. I find it so interesting that he started from being taught how to make jam, to then making new jam completely out of fruit. He dropped out of school in order to achieve what he believed in, and doing so he is now very wealthy. I look up to the way that Doherty went after his dream that all stemmed from something so small. All in all, Doherty is an such an inspiration.
Great example of how a simple skill can be monetized to create impact. Very similar to the concept behind TreeCup Tea. Good post.
It’s incredible that he was able to start something so successful at such a young age. In most cases, dropping out of school is unwise, however it seamed to work out in his case.
It is so impressive that he was able to make such a successful brand after dropping out of school at 14. He is a great example of what it looks like to chase your dreams with 100% effort. In this case, the payoff has been tremendous.