Young Entrepreneur Creates Furniture
Starting up in business is never easy, and few people can be more aware of that than determined teenager Grant Bland.
We first introduced you to Grant when he became the borough’s youngest entrepreneur at the tender age of 16.
He had been told that he was effectively too young to be setting up his own furniture manufacturing firm, but he battled around the bureaucratic age restrictions to pursue his calling.
After being refused a business account by banks, he turned to the Prince’s Trust and Government agencies for help – all to no avail.
However, he finally managed to persuade dad Ernie to ‘front’ his Bespoke Direct Furniture business so that he could get up and running and now, at the ripe old age of nearly 19.
He has since taken on the next door unit to his workshop in Vale Mill, Chadderton, and invested over £60,000 in computer controlled wood working equipment.
The expansion has enabled Grant to increase his range and production of display units, pedestals and free standing furniture.
To date sales have been primarily to museums, art galleries and shops, but now he wants to step up his operation and sell to the general public.
Grant explained: “When I started, the challenge was keeping up with the orders received, but with the equipment I have now I can produce enough to sell to the public as well.
Photo by Oldham Advertiser.
No comments yet.
Leave a Reply