A YOUNG entrepreneur who ran his own business when he was 12 now has a plumbing company with a turnover which has grown to £1.4 million per year.

Sam Pilling, 32, runs Metro Plumbers in Goldstone Street, Hove. The business was set up last January and he runs a team of 13.

Sam’s dedication and friendliness has earned him many loyal customers in Brighton and Hove. His success did not happen overnight as he ran his own newspaper delivery business when he was 12.

He said: “I used to live in Eastbourne. I did the delivery business because the local news agency didn’t do newspaper runs.

“I knocked on neighbours’ doors and asked if they wanted their papers delivered.

“So I bought a stack of newspapers from the news agency and delivered them to neighbours who paid me.

“I would earn up to £80 a week. That’s a lot for a young boy.

“My parents have always taught me if you want something you got to work for it.

“These words have motivated me to work hard and achieve my goals.

“I didn’t really enjoy school so I took up a five-year plumbing apprenticeship in Chichester when I was 17.”

While Sam’s friends partied and went out, he took up two jobs on the side.

He said: “I ran my own window cleaning business then during my apprenticeship I worked at a petrol garage in the evening and did bar work at weekends.

“You don’t earn much doing an apprenticeship and I needed money for rent and to support myself.

“I wanted to get as much experience as possible.”

Sam became a partner in a plumbing company when he was 25. He left the company and then started Metro Plumbers.

Sam said: “I am proud of my achievements. When you are running your own business you have to make sacrifices.

“For example, my mates can have more flexibility to go on holidays but I need the time to look after my business. Despite this the career as a whole is interesting.

“My advice to young business owners is to understand what you are getting yourself into. It’s hard work so you have to come up with a plan, but keep it simple.When running a business always be courteous, and reply to phone calls and emails.If customers find you’re not responsive they will go to another company. Most importantly, be honest.”