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MOA: Did you learn a lot from your parents of how to work hard from a young age and did they steer you on the right path?
AB: My mother and father are both massive inspirations as both of them are the hardest working people. They work 7 days a week. As we all know, if you do what you love, you will be successful. It was the guidance of my parents and the hard work ethic they have passed on that set me to climb the ladder of success.
MOA: Also did your parents teach you the value of money or has that come from learning from life, learning, mistakes or problems?
From a very early age I’ve always been told to save for a rainy day. I can say there is a little bit of that and a few mistakes, but I have learnt to be happy with spend a little and save a lot.
MOA: We are amazed that you had your first business at the age of 16! A van hire centre and dealership in Forest Gate, how did that happen?
AB: From an early age I got into motor trade and I first started buying and selling vehicles: buying and refurbishing them and putting them in the local newspaper. I then moved on to buy a van dealership at the age of 16. I felt I knew everything and I didn’t feel young at all. I look back now and I feel young though.
MOA: Was there ever a time in your life that you felt like giving up and working for someone else? Or was that never an option?
AB: Yes, there have been times in my life I felt that way. Not many…but I can think of one in particular: the early 90’s recession, when I lost almost everything I had. However, through the nurture of my mother and father, the grit they installed in me… it was not an option to give up. Just brush myself down, get back up on the horse and ride it.
MOA: People now days like to hear about failures, struggles and see the mistakes as they want the full story or bigger picture of the person behind the office desk, do you wear your heart on your sleeve in business and own up to any disasters?
AB: I’ve had many disasters which at the time seemed like the world was crumbling. Most of these did, eventually, turn into opportunities. In the world of business, no matter how big or small, we all learn every day. Our disasters should always be treated as learning curves.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
More time.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I do believe charity begins at home but I also believe giving is not as good as teaching. If you give a man a fish, he will feed his family for a night, show the man how to fish and he will feed his family for a lifetime.
How did your upbringing help you become the businessperson you are today?
Obviously, growing up as a Romany Gypsy, I come from an extremely poor background. But I actually believe that’s helped, because it’s given me the desire and the will to succeed. But also, because I’m from a minority group and Gypsies are sometimes looked down upon, I had to swim to the top, and that’s what I’ve done. And that’s a benefit.
You were once penniless – what did you do?
I drove around London looking for something to do – to try and find a business. And all I did was look for a business that had a queue, and I came across mobile phone shops. I went in and begged and pleaded for a job, which was quite humbling, having built up my own business, but you have to do whatever it takes to get by and to succeed. And there’s a great saying: ‘needs must’. months. I learnt what they did, I understood the business as best I could within that time, and then I went back to the van pitch, took one of the units back, dressed it up and decorated as best I could as a phone shop – and started a mobile communications business.
How did the recession hit your business?
We’ve been through one of the worst recessions that I can remember. And it’s actually been an extremely good recession for us. Our company has continued to grow, year on year, at a minimum of 25%.