Listen to Your Gut
Entrepreneur and business owner Charlotte Leigh ignored her parents' advice to drop out of university and it turned out to be the best decision she ever made. Now she's earning up to £120,000 a year running two successful businesses.
A Non-Academic Path
Charlotte never saw herself as an academic, so university didn't make much sense for her. Despite the pressure from her family, she dropped out after one year and pursued her own path.
From Spare Bedroom to Success
At just 21 years old, Charlotte started her first business, Howard Property Services, from her mother's spare bedroom. The business quickly became profitable and she eventually moved into an office and hired staff.
Setbacks and Learning Curves
Despite early success, Charlotte faced setbacks and competition in the property business. She had a brain haemorrhage and took her eye off the ball while on maternity leave, allowing competitors to copy her business model. It was a tough learning experience.
Taking Calculated Risks
In 2014, Charlotte decided to embark on a new adventure and retrained in jewellery design while managing her first business and raising two kids. She launched her second business, Lottie Leigh Fine Jewellery, in 2020 and now designs bespoke pieces for individuals.
A Comfortable Living Doing What She Loves
Charlotte's take-home pay ranges from £80,000 to £120,000 a year, and she thoroughly enjoys designing one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces in gold and platinum with diamonds and precious gems. She also remolds heirlooms that are no longer being worn.
The Right Decisions
Looking back, Charlotte knows she made the right decisions. She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to make careful calculated decisions and plan ahead. She believes her non-academic skills have been more beneficial in her business ventures than a university degree would have been.
It's Never Too Late
Charlotte started her business later in life and believes it's never too late to pursue your dreams. She encourages others to set achievable goals and take small steps towards starting their own businesses. Age should never be a barrier.
Skills Over Degrees
Charlotte doesn't believe a degree would have helped her get to where she is now. She thinks talents like project management and customer service are more valuable in business than a degree. Different talents can make someone a better business person than an academic.
Overall, Charlotte's journey from dropping out of university to running two successful businesses is proof that sometimes you have to trust your instincts and follow your own path to achieve success.
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