The youngest UK entrepreneur, Henry Patterson has quite the success story. When he was just 9 years old he wrote a children’s book titled The Adventures of Sherb and Pip. Through the overwhelming success of that book he started the children’s brand Not Before Tea. The brand made the book characters come to life through bags, wash bags, and toys. The brand continues to grow but he didn’t stop there.
At 12 Henry was a key note speaker at the prestigious Retail Week live event at the O2 in London. He shared the stage with both Google and Facebook showing just how successful he had become up to that point. Even though he had dealt with a stammer since he was young he developed a love for public speaking and has since traveled the world visiting Berlin, London, Italy, Singapore and more.
At 14 he furthered his entrepreneurial path by creating the online teen platform Young & Mighty. This platform help and allows other young entrepreneurs to have their ideas become reality with just a few short practical courses. His goal is to share what he’s learned from being an entrepreneur at a young age with others so they too can accomplish great things.
He’s inspiring all of us with his continued effort to share his knowledge with his generation. At such a young age even. We should all look at him as an example of what an entrepreneur should look like.
It’s really interesting to see how such a young child was able to channel their creativity and execute it into a successful book. It’s also great to see that organizations like the “Retail Week” conference is recognizing the power of young innovators and lifting up their voices, such as making Henry their key note speaker.
Henry seems like a great example of someone who is not afraid to put their ideas into action. His books sound like the type of thing I would have read and loved as a kid too — I always enjoyed when I could see things in my everyday life and how they connected to what I had read — even if that just meant looking at a plastic bag!
Henry Patterson added a small but significant change to an all-time favorite by many young children. This innovation should be an example to most entrepreneurs that any change no matter how big it is it can still have a strong impact. Patterson changed the mood of reading, he is allowing for visual aides to increase the enjoyment reading. This may allow for an upturn in children who love to read in the upcoming years, all thanks to Henry Patterson. Well done!
Wow this is a very interesting story! I dont know about you but I was not on my way to share a stage with google or facebook by 9! I do really like his innovation and creativity. It begs the question for me, how do children like him become this successful? Do they get a lot of help from parents or are we all just slacking?
This blows me away. It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around how a child could contribute so much at a such a young age, but with the right resources, training, and support, it is clearly possible! It makes me consider how much potential all young people and all humans have that just needs to be cultivated and supported. I am also so impressed by his fearlessness. Especially with a speech impediment, to be speaking to big crowds at a young age shows some true faith in something bigger than yourself, even if it is just helping others. We could all use some of this kid’s perspective in our lives!