Ollie Forsyth is an 18 year old entrepreneur who started his own company called Ollie’s Shop in 2010. His company all started when he was relentlessly bullied in school for his dyslexia and for “being different”. His peers said “he’d never succeed in life”, and said that “he was a nobody”. Instead of letting the negativity from his peers drag him down, he used that energy to fuel his passion towards starting a business and his entrepreneurship mind. Ollie started out by selling friendship bracelets to his friends and eventually he was selling them to the friends of his friends! From there, is company took off.
Ollie was inspired by a self-made billionaire named Richard Branson. He said he “was determined to become like him.” Driven by the negative energy surrounding him from his peers, Ollie started his first company at age 13 (which was three years younger than Branson when he first started his company). Even before this start, Ollie always had a knack for earning money, whether it was mowing the lawn or reheating his parents’ coffees, he was always looking for an investment.
Ollie’s first business is called Ollie’s Shop which is an online gift boutique that sells cute, trendy jewelry and belts for teenage boys and girls. Once his business picked up on day one, it did not stop. In his first six months, he made 2500 pounds. It is safe to say that Ollie is a great success, and a great entrepreneur at that. Ollie also pairs with specific charities to donate directly to them.
What I admire most about Ollie is his drive and determination not to let the hurtful words from his peers affect him. He instead used that drive to fuel his entrepreneurial mind and become the success that he is today. He overcame his disability and proved to himself and others that truly nothing can stop you from doing something if you are passionate about it. I hope to follow his example in all of my endeavors. I am inspired by who he is and what he has accomplished.
Ollie’s next big idea:
A quote from Ollie, “Things like this happen in life, but you have to crack on with life. Onwards and upwards!”
Sources:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/236253, https://www.ollieshop.co.uk/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUHSe7Akg5s
I love how he took his personal struggle, which is a struggle a lot of people face, and turned it into something bigger. I admire his ability to rise above his trials.
It is inspiring to see how determined and positive Ollie was despite the issues he faced. This is great encouragement for people who may be facing similar obstacles in life. I admire that Ollie was inspired by other successful entrepreneurs, and did not let negative people get in the way of pursuing his passions.