In today's episode we are joined by Liv Conlon and she tells us about how she was about to generate £1m at the age of 19. Regardless of your age, make sure to tune in to hear the secrets Liv has to share with us about how to build a business with no start-up funds.
Most people never generate £1m through enterprising work in their entire lifetime, so for someone to achieve that at the age of 19 must mean they have something special about them.
Liv Conlon talks to us today about how she approached the world of business as a young female teenager and the challenges that she faced. Yet, despite the odds being stacked against her, she was able to build a business that became the market leader in its field and led to Liv being recognised with multiple awards for her success, the most notable being voted UK Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019. Since then Liv has continued to build her own personal brand to help inspire other young adults to take their first steps into the world of business, and her debut book ‘Too Big For Your Boots’ which is a how-to guide for young entrepreneurs looking to build a business with no start-up funds is due for release in March.
Featured Guests: Liv Conlon
Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
>> Liv Conlon Official Website - The UK Young Entrepreneur Of The Year
>> JOIN THE WEALTHBUILDERS ACADEMY - CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
If you have been enjoying listening to WealthTalk - Please Leave Us A Review!
Unknown Speaker 0:01 The purpose of wealth talk is to educate, inform, and hopefully entertain you on the subject of building your wealth. Wealth builders recommends you should always take independent financial tax or legal advice before making any decisions around your finances.
Christian Rodwell 0:19
Welcome to Episode 89 of wealth talk. My name is Christian Rodwell, the membership director for wealth builders. And I'm joined today by our founder, Mr. Kevin Whelan. Hi, Kevin.
Unknown Speaker 0:28
Hello, Chris. Good to be with you again.
Christian Rodwell 0:30
Hello. And we are on the third and final little episode or run of episodes centred around young entrepreneurship today, Kevin, and we've got another fantastic young entrepreneur, live Cornyn and live. In fact, there's not only a young entrepreneur, but awarded the UK Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2019.
Unknown Speaker 0:51
Well, you can't say much more than that, can you really, and of course,
Christian Rodwell 0:54
he's got a number of other incredible accolades as well, doesn't she? She has, indeed. And she'll be telling her story, of course, but she left school at 16 after being badly bullied. And she built 1 million pound brand by the age of 19. And she's also got her first book two big few boots coming out in in a month or so. And that's a guide for young entrepreneurs who are looking to build a business with no startup funds. And we know that a few reasons that hold people back from building wealth. Kevin, is the lack of funds. So interesting to hear lips, comments on that?
Unknown Speaker 1:27
Well, not just not just the lack of funds, of course. And I know she's got a very interesting way that she handled that in her specific business. But the other thing, of course, is, you know, come on, how do you create a million pound turnover business at 19? I mean, there's something special about this person, right? So it's doable, you know, so as long as that creativity is there, but of course, I'm sure she'll tell some stories about how she, you know, she overcame some difficulties on the way.
Christian Rodwell 1:54
Yeah, and if, you know, our listeners have been listening to the last couple of episodes as well. Just a reminder, of course, we started back talking about the financial fairy tales books with Dan Britton. And then we also had one of our members from the seven steps to wealth programme, Neil Morgan. And he talks about, obviously, his role as a teacher and how he's looking to change things within, you know, the education system and bring in some education to help children learn about money. And then we had the wonderful Jody cook, in last week's episode, and Jody was a real powerhouse. And again, she has written a series of books, and all around inspiring young children to think more enterprising,
Unknown Speaker 2:33
dude, I'm just so overwhelmed by it, you know, in a positive way. It's just great to see that so many people have got a bee in their bonnet, want to change things don't want to accept the status quo. And actually, Chris, it wasn't too long ago that as soon as someone heard the podcast from Neil, a couple of other teachers reached out to me and said they felt the same way. And could they help? So, you know, their message is getting out there. And I suppose Little by little, we'll make our own little mark.
Christian Rodwell 3:01
Yeah. And the message is getting out there even more thanks to those of our listeners who have left us reviews, Kevin. So as we always like to do, we'll read out a couple before we head on over to our conversation today with Liz and the first review is from Dee Bailey. And we have great opportunity to meet like minded people and build your wealth, easy to follow a logical process that enables you to review your existing finances. And then for Curtis says, wealth builders seven steps to wealth is a fantastic programme and great value for money compared to the generic property training. We have all experienced, truly tailored to your wealth, dynamics and interests with one to one coaching from experienced coaches, as well as masterminds on various topics, webinars, modules and body groups. It is a life changing experience. And I do not say that lightly. I've been a member for almost two years, and it's been my best investment in myself by far.
Unknown Speaker 3:57
Wow. You know, I mean, it's incredible, Chris, that, you know, we're passionate about this. Sometimes because we live in the programme day by day, with our coaching with our insights with our you know, intellectual shortcuts that we try and get people to fast track their way to creating wealth and that financial freedom that allude so many and sometimes you forget the insights from others because you're embroiled in it so fantastic that review and look forward to seeing how many more lives we can transform and we've got a we're on a mission, you know, 50,000 people to transform the lives and we're doing it one at a time. Okay, so
Christian Rodwell 4:35
let's head on over to today's conversation with UK Young Entrepreneur of the Year live comment, live. Welcome to our talk today.
Unknown Speaker 4:44
Okay, thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to be here.
Christian Rodwell 4:47
Yeah. Well, thank you for reaching out to us. I know you our listener wealth talk and you were listening throughout lockdown, and it was great to get in touch and obviously find out everything you've been doing and Looking forward to you sharing that with our listeners today?
Unknown Speaker 5:02
Yeah, me too. I mean, it's funny to be on the other side to make fun because it's usually me doing interviews recently. So yeah, it's nice to be interviewed.
Christian Rodwell 5:11
So we're currently talking about young entrepreneurship. And we started really looking at financial fairy tales for very young children live, and then working through to kind of teenagers. And of course, you are, you know, hugely successful. As a young entrepreneur, you've built up an incredible personal brand yourself and really become the go to person in the UK now, for all matters concerning young entrepreneurship. So would you tell our listeners live a little bit about some of the steps you've taken to get to that place?
Unknown Speaker 5:39
Yeah, of course. So I mean, I started my very first business at 13. I am currently 22. So it's been a little bit of a longer journey, although I'm quite young. And really, the first real business that I started was when I was 16. And I left school, I started a home staging business, which is basically where we furnished properties for sale, and also, after renting out. And really, I think the first day building a personal band as a young person was actually having a successful business behind me, because by the time I was 19, I scaled that business to doing a million pounds in turnover each year. So I feel like as a young entrepreneur, it's a little bit more challenging to build a personal brand, especially because obviously, you're young, you don't have a massive CV behind you. You don't have a lot of experience in life. But I think once you have a success story, something you that you've created, and has been successful, it really helps with your credibility and being able to position yourself as an expert. So I think the first step for me was to become the experiment homesteaded in the UK I'm which now we're probably be more successful company in the UK, and that line of business and they I was able to then capitalise on that though, my personal band also.
Christian Rodwell 6:58
Now wealth builders, we talked about the cornerstones really, of education support connection. So tell us a little bit about each of those. So in terms of building wealth through business, you talked about the home staging there. So how did you go about learning about that? And then who was there to support you? And where are the connections that all helped to make that come together? Yeah,
Unknown Speaker 7:19
me, I love those three different pillars, because I think that is just the absolute crux of everything when it comes to business. So when I started my home staging business, there was really no one in the UK, that was an assembler, I saw our business, we were probably right at the star of that industry, the growth of it. So there wasn't many people like me from the UK to look up to. But I always knew that having a mentor or someone that's actually, you know, been there and done, it was so important. So I look for people that were in a similar line of a property or, you know, young people that had also been successful. I invested a lot in my education, I was buying courses, working with different mentors, just reaching out sometimes and asking for help. And I think that's actually what it's all about. And it fits nicely into connection. One of the things I've learned in business is that the most successful people are willing to ask for help, and it's so many points, I would reach out to someone who has already walked the path, I went down and said, Hey, can you help me, but also, here's where I can add value? And I guess that's the real power of connection.
Christian Rodwell 8:28
Yeah. And I mean, at such a young age live, you know, 16 year old entering the sort of traditionally middle aged male dominated property industry. Did you get that imposter syndrome? Did you feel like you didn't belong there? And you know, how did you kind of break through that?
Unknown Speaker 8:45
Oh, my God. Yeah, I mean, I still have imposter syndrome zesty, like I've had a really payment history. And I thought it was like a joke. When the letter came through the door. I was like, is this a scam? If somebody tried to do something here, I still get that imposter syndrome today. But at the time, I mean, I had hadn't massively specially because I was young, I was a female. And I was going into that male dominated industry, I cut my hair short, to look older. And yeah, I think a lot of the time I was it was probably my action more than theirs, about my age. And I think a lot of the time what we are actually scared or we project onto other people. And so when I was when I realised that that was happening, I just totally changed the way I help myself, but a lot more confidence by having success. So I think it's a lot easier to have more confidence in yourself and to almost quiet in that voice that that makes you feel like an imposter I by getting a successful agent and I think it's a cycle that sort of works like that.
Christian Rodwell 9:49
So So where do you think this all began for you live because we're, you know, we're obviously talking about educating children and teenagers around understanding money understanding, you know, entrepreneurs Shipping enterprising. Was there something in particular that you can link this all back to where? Or did you just naturally have this inside you?
Unknown Speaker 10:08
I think I've always had like this sort of burning fire in my stomach. I think I've always known that being destined to something but without a thing and really change other people's lives. But I think where it started for me was definitely my mom. So she was involved in business. She's always been self employed for like, the past 25 years. So I think seeing her and business I used to, like go away with her all the time used to be in business meetings with her. And I think just watching her do it a successful woman who's very independent, especially financially, I thought that's who I want to be when I grow up. But I also took like, massive inspiration from reading books. I think I was reading like they congratulate each 12.
Christian Rodwell 10:51
Yeah. And within the educational system, did you find the support anywhere that you were looking for at that younger age?
Unknown Speaker 10:59
No, there was absolutely for me, there was no support. So when I decided to leave school at 16, they actually thought I was going to ruin my life, because you know, happy days to go be a lawyer or a doctor. And they want like the teachers, my school wants me to go to university, and they didn't see entrepreneurship as a path to success.
Christian Rodwell 11:19
And another thing that perhaps holds a lot of people back is his lack of funds or not having enough money. So talk to us a little bit about this live, because I know that obviously you didn't really have any funding to begin with. And then you build out to a million pound turnover business in a very short space of time. Yeah, so
Unknown Speaker 11:35
I think that's usually the thing that holds a lot of people back thinking that they need that sort of funding to start. So when I started the property stagers, my main focus was, how can I do this with literally, you know, 10 pounds in my bank account, I had never had a part time job. So I literally had nothing. So really, what I had to do was look for a business model where I could be paid up fun. And it would give me a little bit of working capital today and get my next client. And the next claim. So I actually done was, I would charge a client up front for the service, I would then purchase all the furniture that I needed for their job within that budget. So I couldn't go a penny over that, because I don't have the money. And then on my first job, I made very little, but then by the second time, I actually saved a property, I owned all that furniture, ends the next person's property. And then their payment was pretty much pure profit. So it was a method that I could then easily repeat, and just start to make profit in the business.
Christian Rodwell 12:41
So we've talked about lack of funds, we've talked about perhaps lack of support, any other challenges that you've encountered live, and that you think, perhaps hold younger, you know, teenagers back from actually taking steps towards building wealth and starting businesses?
Unknown Speaker 12:57
Yeah, I mean, I would just say it's probably the lack of confidence, and maybe the lack of role models as well. I feel like there aren't a lot of young entrepreneurs out there. And funnily enough, we've been looking for more of them, because my book, and I want to feature people, but I notice there's a real lack of people promoting themselves. And I think it does come down to confidence, and then also potentially wanting I guess what other people think. Because you know, there's no limit on what you can achieve by a certain age. And there's no no limit this age, you cannot area million pounds and your teenage years, but I feel like maybe it's that lack of seeing someone else doing it, that can either holding people back, and also that lack of them promoting themselves and saying, hey, look, I've made this money. And it's actually nothing to be ashamed of making money. I think sometimes it can be seen as a negative by a lot of people.
Christian Rodwell 13:48
Yeah. And, you know, you were awarded the UK entrepreneur, Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards in 2019 lives. So you know, fantastic achievement there. Well done for that. And how did that change things? And obviously, now being such a role model for others? What does that involve? Yeah, so
Unknown Speaker 14:05
for me, when I won that award, it was totally unexpected. And we won quite a lot of awards in a short space of time, but obviously, that was painted in your face and and top of the cake to be named the number one in the country. And to be honest, not too much change for me, because I've always had the mindset of, you know, helping other people up passing down the ladder so that other people can follow in your footsteps. But I mean, I take that role quite seriously. Because I believe that, you know, business, being in business, entrepreneurship can change your life. It's not easy, and I'm always at fun. There's definitely not the easier path. But you can really design a life that spine capable further on down the line. So in 2021, my goal is actually to impact a million young people's lives positively through business and entrepreneurship.
Christian Rodwell 14:57
Well, and what would be some of the steps that you feel that you Be able to do that, I guess connections will be a big part, right?
Unknown Speaker 15:03
Yeah, connections a massive one, I am connecting with a lot of billion charities as well, because I was bullied at school. And it's something I feel really passionate about sharing that you know, how to overcome that and how to deal with it. So we have massive connections do high skills and all of that. I've also my book is to make your boots as aimed at young people and how they can actually go from zero to starting a business.
Christian Rodwell 15:30
Yeah. Well, perhaps if you don't mind, let's just touch on that aspect there that you said you encountered bullying at school live? Do you think that that lit the fire a little bit more inside you? Because we always talk about having a strong why to drive people forward? Was that an element of yours? Do you think?
Unknown Speaker 15:48
Oh, 100%. I totally believe that, you know, it happened for a reason. And I think there's two different paths you can take, you can either let it sort of define you in a negative way. Or you can really let it become one of your driving factors. And I think it's, it's Tony Robbins that says, you know that life doesn't happen to you, it happens for you. So I think it was that shift and looking in the mirror and saying, Why is this happening for me? And yeah, use it to drive me forward to prove people that doubted me wrong. And yeah, it's been it's been a massive, massive driver for me. And it's not like a way of the ability to other points, and my kid as well. But it's having those tools to know how to deal with them.
Christian Rodwell 16:30
So wealth builders is built around the Seven Pillars of wealth live. And obviously it talks about the businesses that you have there. But it's now expanded now. Because you now very much helping people with with branding as well, personal brand, you've talked about your book there, and you have a podcast as well. So you're now branching out into IP, I know you've got courses as well, and joint ventures we've touched on as well. So building wealth across multiple pillars diversifying. And any any additional thoughts on that and why that's important for people listening, you know, to have income coming from different channels. Yeah, absolutely.
Unknown Speaker 17:04
I think especially in these times, you know, we're in the midst of a pandemic, and you know, our home staging business, it hasn't suffered. But I'm we've had to be able to pivot in that business, because it's an in person business. And for a while we had to close because of lockdown, we couldn't deliver certain items. So actually having you know, the flexibility to take income from other businesses has been so so key to my success in the past 12 months. And a thing you know, that saying, never put all your eggs in one basket, I do the exact same pretty much in everything in life, I have multiple things happening at once. Yeah, and I think everybody should look to do that, obviously, focus on one thing for a while until you make it profitable. But then you should really start to look at other things that are coming into play, because years and years down the lane. Actually, when you have money, you need to look at where you're investing it and you don't want to just to sit there, I'm so safer to start your journey is no absolute key upfront, making one thing profitable. I'm a big fan of focusing on the one thing, but when you get to that point where you need to diversify, I would look at other options too.
Christian Rodwell 18:15
So your position live with the influence that you have with the accolades that you have at the age of 22. What do you think needs to happen? Can you see any changes happening in education in order to start bringing out some of these lessons at an earlier age? So that, you know, it's not a matter of people like yourself having to go out and just search for mentors, but actually, no, there is a place within the system where people can start to learn about this and develop that. You know, it should they wish to do so. Yeah, I
Unknown Speaker 18:50
mean, I think it's 100% lesson isn't any sort of speculum for me, I'm not a big fan of the school curriculum. I feel like I went to school and I learned so many different things that I can't even remember no, because they're not actually adaptable to your life. I feel like a curriculum certainly needs to change and terms of teaching people actually how to get a mortgage and manage their finances and get a job or start a business. I feel like we're 100% I mess a note on that opportunity to inspire younger people. But yeah, I think it's also about a education and also parents and people of influence, definitely putting their children in a position where they can find people like myself that that have achieved great success at a young age to show them to as possible. So I think mentorship from other entrepreneur figures that are young is going to be so valuable moving forward. And I think especially in this day and age in this current 2021 that people need to be more creative these days. There's not going to be as many jobs when people leave school, and that you're going to have to get creative and start something yourself. I think it's no more than ever really vital that people think outside the box. And yeah, get some inspiration and be inspired. And look at what other people have achieved.
Christian Rodwell 20:09
Yeah, great words their lives. So if any of our listeners would like to obviously check out your book too big for your boots and listen to your podcast, Fort Lee, the chat, where's the best place online for them to go and find out those things?
Unknown Speaker 20:22
Yeah. So for today for your boots. It's not released until March the fifth, but you can go to vote for your boots.co.uk. And yeah, just connect with me on any of the social platforms. And you'll see me promoting that there. And my social handles on all the platforms are at Olivia. Colin, brilliant,
Christian Rodwell 20:39
thanks so much for being a great guest today live.
Unknown Speaker 20:41
Thank you so much.
Christian Rodwell 20:44
I think it was clear from listening to live there, Kevin. You know, success really does begin in the mind. We've said it before, and live said herself that successful people are always willing to ask for help. And that made me think about our episode of the 3ds with the drifters. That DIY is the dynamos she's absolutely not a DIY, she understood from an early age, the importance of reaching out. And she also talked about that, you know, passing down the ladder to help others there's always been, you know, almost part of our DNA. Well,
Unknown Speaker 21:15
although the analogy is different, we have one that we use internally, Chris, don't we, which is the bridge, you know, when when anybody's crossing from a place where they are now usually a financial insecurity, meaning if they stopped doing what they were doing to earn money, and completely did nothing, it wouldn't be too long before life would be somewhat fraud. And our mission in life is to help people create those streams of recurring income so that if you stop useful, got assets or generating income. Anyway, as we recognise that people are on that journey from insecurity to security, and then onwards, it's a bridge. And we encourage all of our members don't we to almost imagine, as they cross the bridge, they've got a hand reached out in front of them, asking and being humble enough to add to ask for that help. And to reach out a hand behind them to help somebody who's just a little further behind on the same journey. And I think it's, it's a parallel, really. So it's very interesting that on our own, you know, leave and US have come up with very simple, simple, but similar analogies. And, you know, I applaud her for that, because it couldn't have been easy trying to find some help, you know, when you're in your teens.
Christian Rodwell 22:29
Absolutely. And she said, there wasn't really any education around the business that she was interested in setting up. And so she, she searched, and she found a mentor. So again, it's everything we talked about getting the right education, having the right support, and, and then those connections, which which, you know, all combined towards that success.
Unknown Speaker 22:49
You know, it was nice that she acknowledged that although she hadn't heard our language, in any detail, kind of she resonated immediately with that sort of triumvirate of in our foundation, which is education, support. And connections are at the very heart of building wealth in the right way. Rather than being sidetracked and derailed by events, you know, that a cabinet happening at the moment.
Christian Rodwell 23:15
Now, of course, she built up her first million pound turnover business by the age of 19. So, you know, a very wonderful achievement there. And, again, similar to Jody cook, who was on our last episode, who said that she started with very little funds, and she wrote on paper, you know, the goal of the business was just get clients kind of similar with live, where it was all about just taking that first step, just getting started. And, you know, then repeat the process and scale it from there. So proof of concept.
Unknown Speaker 23:45
Yeah, and I think what's fascinating when people have a lack of funds, is if you've got the idea, right, and you can just get started, you can as clearly as live did, you know, she got the money in which enabled her to buy the furniture, I mean, the business is really a, what we would call a property, staging and dressing, business, you know, people want to sell their properties. And rather than just show pictures of empty rooms, or you know, they show pictures with furniture and, and all the usual accoutrements that make something look irresistible to the eyes, and that's essentially helps in the buying process. And, and what was fascinating about that, as you think about it, Chris, is the very first clients who then paid for the furniture, then the fact that she owned the furniture enabled her to use that furniture again, and again and again, and create that recurring income, very much an entrepreneurial
Christian Rodwell 24:38
mindset there with that. And, and, and bullying as well. She talks about that, and that seemed as if that was her catalyst. That was what really propelled her forward. And she said, you know, kind of can take two parts. And I think probably all of us have that at some stage in our life, you know, where we've got those two paths in front of us and you know, It's obviously making a calculated guest. But one when it comes to building wealth that is obviously, you know, shouldn't be a guest, but having the right support again, and the right knowledge allows you to make the correct choice.
Unknown Speaker 25:13
Yeah, I mean, I think, look, we've all got faced with difficulties, and I wouldn't want anyone to go through bullying. But you know, the whole process is, is a catalyst in everybody, right? You know, we talk about this in wealth builders, that there has to be a catalyst that overcomes inertia, and gets people on the right path. And I wouldn't want that to be anybody's capital, it normally comes from within. And I encourage everybody to look out for them
Christian Rodwell 25:39
live, again, echoed the comments. previous week there in that the education system, obviously, we know, it doesn't teach children about entrepreneurship in perhaps the way that you know, we'd like it to. And it does mean that often, it's the parents who do have a role to play there. So we will be working on some material. And we've said previous weeks, if anyone listening right now is interested in collaborating or, you know, somehow contributing and being involved in this with us, then we'd really love to invite them to, you know, to come and reach out. And you can actually register your interest if, if this is something you'd like to find out more about. So teaching children about money, but also, I guess, the bigger legacy aspect, Kevin. And then we can put together a page online. So perhaps wealth builders.co.uk, forward slash legacy, if you're listening now, and you'd like to find out more, then head there, and just drop us your name and email address.
Unknown Speaker 26:36
Yeah, and tell us if you're interested in contributing, like, you've got some ideas, you've got some thoughts, you've got some energy, you want to make a difference in the world, and you think, you know, you can help. Or, alternatively, you know, you're a forward thinking parent, you want to help your own kids, you know, you want to bear to get some insights, or you just want to build an incredible legacy. And you want to know the best way about doing that. And I think if anybody's been following us for a while, Chris, maybe they picked up that we don't believe legacies about, you know, parents passing and leaving money. Well, that's not one of the, you know, fundamental foundations of our declarations, you know, in, in the wealth building principles, it's passing on wisdom. And we're going to be creating some workbooks and some real genuine materials to help people create the right processes in order to do that. And while talking about this today, Chris, I just mentioned that one or two of us have got a little frog in the throat so forgive the quality of the the of the voices today, we just a little spluttering for different reasons, hard not to be when we're surrounded by this global pandemic still, isn't it? Yeah,
Christian Rodwell 27:51
so just a little frog in the throat from me and so sorry about that. But oh, but don't spoil anybody's enjoyment. No. Well, we appreciate you listening again with us today. And we hope you enjoyed today's episode. And we'll be back again, same time, same place next week.
Unknown Speaker 28:06
Yeah. And look forward to that one, Chris. And I look forward to giving more and more really interesting and inspirational and from time to time, entertaining outputs during the remainder of 2021. Until the next time we meet Chris sia.
Unknown Speaker 28:25
We hope you enjoy today's episode. Don't forget that we are constantly updating our resources inside the wealth builders membership site to help you create, build and protect your wealth. Head over to wealth builders.co.uk slash membership right now for free access. That's wealth builders.co. UK slash membership