Teenager starts airline
Discussion
I think this chap can show most of us a clean pair of heels... How did he get an airliner at the age of 18? Well he sold his software compnay of course!!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/4371945.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/4371945.stm
Heard an interview with him on the radio the other day. Sounded like he had his head screwed on. Interviewer made a big point about his age which I thought was kind of irrelevant.
The best bit I heard was that he approached some of the major airlines with his idea at first and a couple said "We were thinking of doing this but never got round to it."
This boy'll go far!
The best bit I heard was that he approached some of the major airlines with his idea at first and a couple said "We were thinking of doing this but never got round to it."
This boy'll go far!
'He has now used cash made from that venture and from an inheritance, following the death of his grandmother, to finance his new project. '
Lost interest when I read the inheritance part. Another chancer spending grannies money on an ego business. These have a 100% track record of making no profit what so ever. I wonder if he'd think leasing aircraft was so clever if his own money was on the line?
Lost interest when I read the inheritance part. Another chancer spending grannies money on an ego business. These have a 100% track record of making no profit what so ever. I wonder if he'd think leasing aircraft was so clever if his own money was on the line?
Frik said:
Interviewer made a big point about his age which I thought was kind of irrelevant.
Well if he can do this at 18, what's he going to be like at 30??
lambojim said:
Lost interest when I read the inheritance part. Another chancer spending grannies money on an ego business.
So, if you inherited some money, you wouldn't allow yourself to start a business with it...? If you did, would that make you an ego-chancer?
I take your point, but he's defo a smart cookie, whether or not his grandma died.
He might be a smart cookie as you say - he'd be smarter if he had made his own money though. Anyone that sights Branson (great PR man - but dig deeper and look at the actual revenues the Virgin group generates opposed to the debt it has) as inspiration and launches such an obviously poor business isn't that smart. The bigger airlines haven't done it because they are getting royally shafted on every other route without an Oxford - Cambridge shuttle service draining their piggy bank further. The only interesting aspect of this story is tha fact he is 18 - someone should tap him on the shoulder and tell him to stay out of the mini Branson / Airlines game and focus on software etc.
Remember what happened to the annoying little antiques 'expert' with the frizzy blond hair?
I have inherited naff all and bought a Lambo last year at 27 - there a number of other lads on here that have similar stories to tell - it doesn't make us great, but it should put htis fellas 'acheivements' in perspective.
No offence intended. Jim
Remember what happened to the annoying little antiques 'expert' with the frizzy blond hair?
I have inherited naff all and bought a Lambo last year at 27 - there a number of other lads on here that have similar stories to tell - it doesn't make us great, but it should put htis fellas 'acheivements' in perspective.
No offence intended. Jim
lambojim said:
He might be a smart cookie as you say - he'd be smarter if he had made his own money though. Anyone that sights Branson (great PR man - but dig deeper and look at the actual revenues the Virgin group generates opposed to the debt it has) as inspiration and launches such an obviously poor business isn't that smart. The bigger airlines haven't done it because they are getting royally shafted on every other route without an Oxford - Cambridge shuttle service draining their piggy bank further. The only interesting aspect of this story is tha fact he is 18 - someone should tap him on the shoulder and tell him to stay out of the mini Branson / Airlines game and focus on software etc.
Remember what happened to the annoying little antiques 'expert' with the frizzy blond hair?
I have inherited naff all and bought a Lambo last year at 27 - there a number of other lads on here that have similar stories to tell - it doesn't make us great, but it should put htis fellas 'acheivements' in perspective.
No offence intended. Jim
i am a little sceptical of this story also - but, it's a perfect dumb media story on a quiet news day - good free PR for him, though.
good luck to him, but i have much greater respect for self-made people as opposed to "hmmm, grannie has left me xxxxxx thousands of pounds - cripes, what shall i do with it?" - good luck to him, hope he's done some detailed research or has a gut-feeling way beyond his tender years.
this is typical of media bull and a vacuous society that gives instant plaudits and acclaim - "hey, you've won a crap talent (sic) show - here's a sell-out tour and a number 1 single and album!" ... what is there to admire in what he's done so far? he's spent some money he has inherited - he's not innovated anything or yet proven he has a viable let alone successful growing business, for heaven's sake. when he actually achieves something he can then maybe be acclaimed as being a tyro tycoon.
re: the pre-pubescent antique "expert" with the fizzy blond hair - please don't remind me! did you see that scary documentary on him* and his (*him now being a "she" of course) family - that good old psycho keith allen - in a somewhat strange role for him - quite rightly really ripped into them.
Well, it may be risky, but the very best of luck to him. Look at Stelios. He was given IIRC £5 million from his wealthy family. He set up Easyjet. I recall at the time the usual doom-mongers, saying it won't last blah, blah.... I think its fair to say EasyJet is here to stay and is worth substantially more than £5M.
I think the very fact that he's got as far as he has, demonstrates there must be a significant number within the aviation industry who think he could be on to something.
I think the very fact that he's got as far as he has, demonstrates there must be a significant number within the aviation industry who think he could be on to something.
Scot - fair point.
Steios inherited £500m but used £5m to start Easyjet. Easyjet is saddled with debt and no other Easy enterprise including Easyjet makes one penny of profit.
There is good reason that the experts in the airline industry are applauding this young chaps move...it's not there money.
Steios inherited £500m but used £5m to start Easyjet. Easyjet is saddled with debt and no other Easy enterprise including Easyjet makes one penny of profit.
There is good reason that the experts in the airline industry are applauding this young chaps move...it's not there money.
I don't think its fair to claim this guy is just stroking his ego with inheritance money unless we know how much his software company, started while he was still at school, has contributed.
He's having a go. With so many kids leaving school these days with no aspirations whatsoever I think its pretty refreshing. Good luck to him.
He's having a go. With so many kids leaving school these days with no aspirations whatsoever I think its pretty refreshing. Good luck to him.
Not another "Young businessman starts up a new huge venture....the next Branson/Stelios etc" story!
What you'll probably find is that there is usually another person or group of people running the show and they are just using him for media exposure.
Same thing happened during the dotcon boom where there were all these young tycoons running what looked like huge enterprises. Until you found out it was their dad or Uncle Freddie behind the curtain.
Then again, I'm thinking of appointing my 7 year old son as the CEO of my next venture.
What you'll probably find is that there is usually another person or group of people running the show and they are just using him for media exposure.
Same thing happened during the dotcon boom where there were all these young tycoons running what looked like huge enterprises. Until you found out it was their dad or Uncle Freddie behind the curtain.
Then again, I'm thinking of appointing my 7 year old son as the CEO of my next venture.
That was the point I was trying to make. If they hadn't pointed the fact out, you would never have believed he was so young. It was the media making a big deal out of it.
All this talk of Stelios is bollox anyway. I mean it's hardly the same thing is it? This guy's using an 8 seater to do 18 minute flights. I think it's a cracking idea and I wish him every success.
Why is everyone so negative on here today?
All this talk of Stelios is bollox anyway. I mean it's hardly the same thing is it? This guy's using an 8 seater to do 18 minute flights. I think it's a cracking idea and I wish him every success.
Why is everyone so negative on here today?
I think it sounds like a good idea, and for those prices I would definately consider using it if I ever have to get between the two cities. So what if he inherited some money - how many other people inherit money then spend it down the pub. Good on him for attempting to make something of it.
Of course you can "make it" without starting out with an inheritance, but that is all a case of relatives (pun no intended) - for the people who are saying on this thread they made it all by themselves, I can imagine someone from a worse starting point than you could say the same. Ie. "I didn't go to a fancy school/any school/grew up in Rwanda in a refugee camp" etc etc, Maybe that would put your achievements in perspective too. Obviously I don't know details about any of you, so I am talking theoretically, but hopefully you get my point.
Of course you can "make it" without starting out with an inheritance, but that is all a case of relatives (pun no intended) - for the people who are saying on this thread they made it all by themselves, I can imagine someone from a worse starting point than you could say the same. Ie. "I didn't go to a fancy school/any school/grew up in Rwanda in a refugee camp" etc etc, Maybe that would put your achievements in perspective too. Obviously I don't know details about any of you, so I am talking theoretically, but hopefully you get my point.
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