Rags to Riches
A plucky youngster who faced family issues and sold £3 sweets at school for extra cash has defied the odds to become a self-made millionaire. Luke Massie, now 26, founded Vibe Tickets at the age of 20 and has since propelled profits to an impressive £22 million.
From Council Estate to Entrepreneurship
Luke grew up on a deprived council estate in Preston, Lancashire, with his four siblings and a mother battling alcoholism, depression, and anxiety. With his father in and out of their lives, Luke took on the responsibility of looking out for his siblings by taking on five paper rounds and selling sweets at school.
Early Success and Lessons Learned
At just 17, Luke set up his first business, a PPI company called Mortgage Claims Direct, which he sold for £94,000 a week before his 18th birthday. However, he admits to making mistakes, such as buying a brand new Audi at the age of 18. Luke reflects on the harsh lessons he learned during this time.
A Ticket to Success
A bad experience with selling Ed Sheeran tickets led Luke to create Vibe Tickets. Feeling ripped off by middle-men, Luke sold the tickets directly to a fan on Twitter. Using the £50,000 he had set aside, he established Vibe Tickets, which is now valued at £22 million.
The Virgin Connection
After a rocky start, Luke's company caught the attention of Richard Branson. Vibe Tickets made it to the finals of a competition by Virgin, and Luke impressed Branson with his pitch. Using the positive promotion from the competition, Luke crowdfunded £617,000 in just 48 hours.
Continued Success and Personal Challenges
Despite his financial success, Luke lives a modest life and remains dedicated to taking care of his mother, who still struggles with mental health issues. His latest venture, Vibe Pay, aims to revolutionize the payments industry, just as Vibe Tickets did with ticket resales.
A Drive for Change
Looking to the future, Luke hopes to take on the payday loans industry and help those who are taken advantage of. He believes that Vibe could cut out the middleman and provide a transparent and fair solution, driving down prices and solving the challenges faced by many.
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