A BUDDING entrepreneur who set up her own business on her 18th birthday is urging others considering a career move to follow in her footsteps.

Libby Reynolds, from Weymouth, was named as a finalist in the Rising Star of the Year category at the Direct Selling Awards last year after competing against 400,000 other eligible sellers.

The teenager said she was determined to be a self-employed businesswoman before leaving school and set up Punzel’s, her own independent Avon Leadership business.

Her business has been an immediate success, which has seen her recognised at two national events in six months of operating, with the Direct Selling Awards coming on the back of recognition at Avon’s Leadership Live awards.

Now Libby is offering her top tips to help others.

Libby said: “Be confident. It can get you a lot of places. It may be gaining the confidence to do something small to start with, but once you have done it, you appear to be confident to others which can gain you more customers, sales, and build your reputation of knowing your stuff.

“Don’t let negativity get you down. If someone says no to you, the last thing you want to do is take it personally.

“In order to grow, taking risks is essential.

“Set yourself short and long term goals to keep the motivation going; good timescales to consider are six months, one year, three years, and the ultimate dream.

“Don’t procrastinate. Time is money.

Plan ahead. Bad time management is a reason for lack of productivity. “Don’t feel the need to follow the crowd.

“Do network and meet new people like you.

“Everything you set out for yourself will happen if you focus all your energy on it. Whether it’s a good car parking space or building a multi-million pound empire.

“And finally, don’t give up. This sounds so cliché but it’s so true.”

For more information about Libby’s business visit punzels.co.uk

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