I’m 19, and share a design studio with 3 people (average age 30). If I’m out on a Friday night in London, the average age of the people with me is about 24. I should really start hanging out with more people my age, although on the contrary when I’m in LA everyone around me is so young and hardworking, cars, mansions etc. Maybe it’s where I’m positioned across that vast expanse of land, or the social circle I was lucky to be introduced to (Thanks Arnold Peters).

Anyhow … I believe economically it’s like 10 times harder in London for people who aren’t satisfied with handouts and mediocre living, so the “Something from Nothing” story in London is not as common.

“Succeeding in London is definitely a task … made easier if you start young.”

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The formula was simple, and still is – I want to do & build great things … I knew this when I was 13, and I’m sure a lot of people do at that age. There is a chance I could grow up and end up doing these great things, but there is an even better chance of that If I start taking action now (This ray of wisdom struck me in the head around 15). So I began graphic design “professionally” at 15, I won’t tell the whole story in this write-up but that’s when my journey of learning began.

The only risk I could think of at the time was the risk of losing out on the teenage experience, but I didn’t once I realised there’s a whole lot of stuff we waste our time on like TV and Facebook. The idea of becoming the person I wanted to be seemed so much more appealing than hangovers and drunken nights out. (I later ended up renting out a room on a uni campus and lived like a teenager for a whole year).

I feel like everyone ages twice as fast as me (I’ve been 19 forever), yet I feel as though I grow twice as fast mentally. I’ve had the pleasure of growing out of stuff and not missing them one bit, just like you’d expect to at 30.

I think going out into the world young isolates you (just slightly) and allows you to learn more about yourself. You form your own opinions, and are allowed to decide what is important to you and you only, not your friends or classmates. You make so much mistakes but smile after each one knowing you’ve grown just a little bit, and you’ve got more than enough time to make more. You’re much more excited about your future than anyone else … why? Because you’re 18 doing what the average 27 year old wishes he/she could so your future reads like this:

“18 Years old = Kid, 27 Years old = Candy Store”

You’re a kid and your future is a candy store, cheers to making that happen for yourself.

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I’ve compiled a list of things I’ve done by 19 that I probably would’ve otherwise done in my late twenties or maybe never.

- Realised clubbing is just an experience, there is so much more to life.
- Got my head around business tax.
- Been able to travel well and grow through that, and live in LA independently for a summer.
- Turned down more than 3 job offers that I’d otherwise be begging for at the age of 30.
- Lived a material life and realised it’s bullshit in record timing.
- Moved out of my family house, then moved back in. Ready to get on the property ladder this year though.
- Realised that walking or cycling is the way, by all means feel guilty if you don’t have your pink license, but don’t feel guilty if you don’t have a car. You’re in a good place
- Hired my first employee and paid my first official salary. Then learn’t I wasn’t ready for staff or a team.
- Got a design studio (I originally said i’d have one by 25)
- Learnt so much about dealing with people in business
- I’m supposed to be talking at a Uni, it will be a good kick in the ass for my college tutors, but that’s yet to happen … good to know I was considered though.
- Other stuff

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I’m happy and quite comfortable, but there are other young masterminds out there doing amazing things, achieving things I hope to achieve one day.

Every now and again I say to myself “You’re allowed to waste away days in front of the TV, you’re a kid” … unfortunately I can’t, thanks to people like:

Dirujan Sabesan
(Co Founder of CreativeNerds – Same age, used to work with him under Creative nerds, been in a race with him secretly since forever)

Alex Mangini
(Creator of KolaKube – Same Age, and another young mastermind I relate to completely, enjoying being young and doing what he loves)

Jamal Edwards
(Founder of SBTV – Media mogul, it’s absolutely humbling to see what he’s achieved at his age. No excuse for the London Boy)

George Mpanga
(George the Poet – George is an amazing poet! He’s opened up a whole new set of platforms to be conquered to people like me.)

The pieces below feature a full melton wool custom moulded 6-Panel with a leather buckled closure, and roughened suede variant.