Henry Patterson first got a taste of entrepreneurship at the age of nine, when he founded children’s brand Not Before Tea. Since then, he has been on the press circuit, building his personal brand. Most recently, he authored the business book Young & Mighty. Now he’s back in business with Business in a Bag
Business in a Bag is a starter kit for children and young people from eight to 18 to set up their own pin-badge business. It consists of a bag of enamel pin badges that the would-be entrepreneur buys at wholesale prices and sells on at a profit. The entrepreneurs get advice on how to get started from a dedicated website – and they can also call on free email support from Henry.
“more and more young people are running their own ventures to get extra money or just because they love creating something that is theirs.”
Storytelling in business
Henry started his business journey at the age of nine when he launched children’s brand Not Before Tea based his story book The Adventures of Sherb and Pip. Storytelling has been a key element in Henry’s business journey from as early as 2013.
All the characters in the book were brought to life through products such as bags, wash bags and soft toys. Today the products are sold internationally and Henry has just secured investment to grow the brand further.
Henry also authored a business book, Young and Mighty, where he covers some of the big issues that young people face: self-esteem, finding your voice, education, creativity – and encourages them to make a living doing what they love. It particularly appeals to those struggling to fit in.
Henry’s experiences have taught him that children can discover their own version of success, against all odds.
He also provides ideas on how to double your pocket money and how to raise money for good causes. There is also advice from business, marketing and legal experts on how to start and run a business.
.@YoungMightyHQ promotes confidence and thoughtfulness, not just material ambition, says teen #serialentrepreneur @htweeterson
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In January 2020, Henry turned 16. This coincided with the launch of his new brand ‘Zellie-Zipper’ a collection of bags to combat the problem of ‘throwaway fashion’, by its ability to instantly change colour with a quick unzip and zip.
Overcoming mental blocks
Henry developed a stammer at a young age after being bullied at school. His business success helped him rediscover his voice and develop a passion for public speaking. Now he travels the world doing what he loves.
At 12 years old, Henry was a keynote speaker at the prestigious Retail Week Live event at the O2 in London, where he shared the stage with leading British retailers as well as global brands such as Facebook and Google. He has since appeared with some of the world’s top motivational speakers on stages in Malaysia, Singapore, Italy, Berlin and Vietnam.
“If you don’t know exactly what’s bothering you then how do you expect to sort it? The only way to go about helping the matter is by properly reflecting and thinking about it,” he writes in his blog.
“I often write down where I’m at in my life. Simply projecting any thought I’m possibly thinking onto Notes on my phone or the more classic approach of pen and paper. By doing this, I’m staying on top of my feelings and emotions, not letting the negative ones take over or get in the way of my day to day life.”
Helping others help themselves
At 15, Henry set up the online academy Young & Mighty to enable young entrepreneurs to turn their business ideas into reality. Young & Mighty is for children and young people, 10 to 14, who are starting to think about their future and what motivates them.
Now 16, the teen serial entrepreneur has launched Business in a Bag for the same reason.
“There are some people who need a helping hand. Business is a Bag is a great way to find out about running a small business, without worrying about what to sell and pricing. All that has been done for you and I am happy to answer any questions people have along the way by email,” he says.
The cost of the bag is £28, which has a retail value of £63 if you sell all 18 enamel pin badges at £3.50. The accompanying website has advice on how to create a simple business plan and potential sources of venture capital – typically mom and dad or grandparents.
“The best bit of advice #RichardBranson gave me was to make sure my businesses always had a #socialpurpose,” says teen entrepreneur @HTweeterson
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“Business in a Bag is my way of helping young people to find out what it’s like to run a small business. The most important lesson I hope they’ll learn is that it doesn’t have to be complicated – and that it can be fun.”
Finding a balance when you’re a student
Henry believes that passion is what drives people to achieve extraordinary things. “I’ve always said whilst speaking on the topic of work and business that if you don’t have a passion for what you do and love what you do then you won’t succeed. This totally applies to your life as well,” he says.
“Have a nice balance between studying and doing the things you love rather than not living for the months that you’re revising in. It will completely change the way you think.”
“Being a teenager is hard. We’ve all thought it, been told, it believed it. However, what I’ve recently realized is that when you have the right mindset, you can destress and de-obsess over all of those important Gen Z issues such as likes, comments, followers and all that follows.”
“I’ve recently come up with a method I like to call ‘APP’. Atmosphere, passions, people. In my opinion, those three things are the most simple, easy way to unwind and destress.”
