From School Dropouts to Business Owners
Luke and Owen Buckmaster, aged 22, made the bold decision to leave school at 16 and enter the working world. Dissatisfied with the constraints of academia, they pursued apprenticeships in different industries.
Recognizing a Business Opportunity
After working long hours in their respective jobs, the twins realized they were putting in more effort than their employers. Inspired by their grandparents' advice to adopt a business mindset, they decided to find a problem they could solve in the hospitality industry.
A Solution for Restaurants and Pubs
After a trip abroad, Luke and Owen came up with the idea of trading premade pizza bases with restaurants and pubs. They discovered niche artisan manufacturers in Italy that made authentic handmade pizza, which could be stored and ready to order. This allowed establishments to serve food without the need for a chef.
Starting the Business
The twins reached out to an authentic manufacturer in Italy and saved up £10,000 each to start their venture. However, just one month after launching, the pandemic hit and the UK went into lockdown, forcing them to temporarily abandon the business.
Overcoming Challenges
Undeterred, Luke and Owen took up two jobs each in supermarkets to save more money to invest in their business. Their hard work paid off when the government introduced the Eat Out to Help Scheme, creating a demand for affordable food options. The twins capitalized on this opportunity and turned over their first £300,000 in just 12 months.
Continued Success and Growth
Since then, Luke and Owen's business, Doughboys Pizza, has continued to thrive. They now have a proper warehouse and supply thousands of establishments across the UK. They have even launched their first retail range in Ocado. Despite their success, they are reinvesting their earnings back into the business.
Working with Family and Looking to the Future
Luke and Owen are grateful for the opportunity to work with each other and their mother, who heads up their customer service operations. They have no regrets about not pursuing higher education and encourage others to take risks and not let judgment hold them back.
Tips for Starting Your Own Business
According to Luke, anyone interested in starting a business should be willing to take risks and not let fear or the judgment of others deter them. He believes that success is possible at any age.
Did you miss our previous article…
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