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Property Entrepreneur Reveals How She Made Her First Million By Age Of 19

Property Entrepreneur Reveals How She Made Her First Million By Age Of 19

The UK Young Entrepreneur Of The Year was motivated to start her own business after initially being the target of bullies at school.

Niamh Spence

Niamh Spence

Olivia Conlon, from Glasgow, is one of the UK's youngest entrepreneurs, who went from selling fake nails aged 13 to making her first million before she even turned 20.

Olivia, the director of The Property Stagers, has now spoken out about finding success at such a young age - and the price it comes at.

In an interview with The Sun, she said: "Last year, I was named UK Young Entrepreneur Of The Year. Most people have been positive, but I've been targeted by trolls who've said I have 'no life' and that it must be a family business.

Olivia with her award for winning Royal Bank of Scotland Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Instagram/@oliviaconlon

"When people discover I'm 21 and have been running a million-pound business for five years, they're usually stunned. But I'd like young people to realise, if you have a great idea, age isn't a barrier. If you believe in yourself, anything is possible."

The UK Young Entrepreneur of the Year was motivated to start her own business after initially being the target of bullies at school.

Olivia said: "I was bullied at school for getting good grades, and had to move to a new high school because of it.

"While it would have been easy to believe I was worthless, my mum Ali helped me realise it was not my fault, but a reflection of the bullies' own insecurities.

Olivia has now grown her team to 10 people across Glasgow and Manchester and often works remotely via her laptop.
Instagram/@oliviaconlon

"It spurred me on to make something of myself. So when I was 13, I set up my first business importing fake nails from China and selling them on eBay.

"I invested £300 ($396) I'd saved from doing household chores and made £5,000 ($6,600)."

The initial £5k profit was just the start for money making Olivia, who then went on to start her next venture, The Property Stagers.

The business temporarily furnishes empty properties before they're sold or rented, helping to make them more attractive to prospective buyers or tenants.

It's not all work and no play, as Olivia has treated herself to a Range Rover Evoque.
Instagram/@oliviaconlon

The inspiration came when Olivia's mum struggled to sell a flat she'd bought as an investment. Three days after the flat was transformed, it sold.

After initial success Olivia decided to grow her business idea, much to the dismay of her teachers at school.

She continued: "Teachers said I was ruining my life by not applying to university and choosing to start my own business, despite achieving five As.

"Mum was supportive, but some friends and family believed it was just a phase."

Despite getting her first client after attending networking events in 2015, Olivia was worried some people wouldn't take her seriously at such a young age.

"I was worried my age would be a hurdle so I cut my hair short to look older," she said.

Olivia started her money making efforts at just 13, when she sold fake nails on eBay that she imported from China.
Instagram/@oliviaconlon

From her first year of trading, Olivia saw great success transforming 25 properties across Glasgow and Edinburgh - but with a lot of hard work.

The business owner described her initial days, saying: "I was a one-man band, carrying and building furniture, making up beds and hanging artwork. It was exhausting but exhilarating as more jobs came in."

However, she did find her social life paid the price for her business ambitions.

She said: "Working 18-hour days, my life became different from my friends'.

"They were out clubbing while I was doing my accounts, and over time we drifted apart."

Olivia often works remotely from her apartment in Marbella.
Instagram/@oliviaconlon

The business turned over £30,000 ($39,600) within its first year, and by the second year it turned over £1 million ($1.3m).

It has since become a family affair as Olivia's mum left her job as a training consultant to join the team, and Olivia now has a team of 10 people in Glasgow and Manchester.

It's not all work and no play though, as Olivia has found time for holidays in the sun and a few splurges.

She said: "I bought my first property at 18, which I've since sold, and I now own the house Mum and I live in and my Range Rover Evoque.

"I also have a long-term lease on an apartment in Marbella and spend 70 per cent of the year there, working remotely."

Olivia added: "I don't really spend on things, preferring experiences, and I've been able to travel to places such as LA and Nashville."

Since gaining recognition for her business efforts at such a young age, Olivia has also stepped into the world of PR and social media to help other business owners market themselves.

She's also launched a podcast, called The Hustle Podcast with Olivia Conlon, interviewing leading figures to find out their advice for those keen to start their own business.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@oliviaconlon

Topics: uk news, Business, News, Money