Canberran Oliver Forrester was just 20 when he launched his first business and at 27, the young entrepreneur now has three under his belt.
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Mr Forrester owns his own consulting firm, specialising in digital communications, and two gym franchises, both near Geelong.
He has not let his youth get in the way, and so far, things appear to have gone to plan.
While he might have been underestimated as the youngest person in the board room at times, he says Canberra has been receptive to new ideas.
"Canberra is a fantastic place to network because there are lots of experts in the entrepreneurial space, and there are lots of people who can help you to reach out and connect with other professionals," he said.
The former Canberra Grammar student started out in communications for a national agricultural program after studying at the University of Canberra.
"All through school I had an ability to explain technology and digital concepts to people and I was really passionate about it," he said.
"I fell into this program where my role was to clearly explain the complex elements of that program to people with vastly different levels of digital understanding – it was something I was really suited to."
He began OPF Consulting, and after consulting to Anytime Fitness, he grabbed the chance to buy a franchise, and then another.
"I identified early on that in the professional services industry you can only generate as much money as there are hours in the day," he said.
"I'd developed an understanding of gym networks and was able to combine it with my communication experience – I identified it as an area where there was a lot of potential."
OPF now has international clients, and Mr Forrester's business savvy has been recognised in an Anthill only magazine "30 under 30" award for young Australian entrepreneurs - a prize on which he has long set his sights.
He brought one gym back from the brink of failure, turning $25,000 monthly losses into $25,000 profits within six months of taking it over, he says. His businesses now turn over more than $2.5 million a year, and he employs more than 20 people.
Mr Forrester says it's all about hard work, and encourages other young people to "give it a go" in the business world.
"If you have an understanding of something, you're passionate and you want to share your knowledge – don't let age get in the way of trying to achieve things," he said.
"It's the old adage: if you fail, fail quickly … learn from that and move on.
"You've just got to be brave, believe in what you're doing and tell your story – that will help you grow your business."
