Nigerian-British Steven Bartlett: From Being Rejected To Youngest Ever Investor Of “Dragon’s Den”

Steven Bartlett, armed with nothing but an idea and sheer determination, he founded Social Chain from his bedroom in Manchester at just 18 years old. Today, his company is valued at a staggering $600 million, and he has become the youngest ever investor on the hit BBC series, “Dragon’s Den.” But Bartlett’s success didn’t come easy. He faced numerous obstacles on his journey to success, including dropping out of school, being rejected from Dragon’s Den, and even having to steal food to survive.

Bartlett’s childhood was far from glamorous. Born in Botswana to a Nigerian mother and a British father, he and his family didn’t have all the luxuries in life. In fact, he once had to steal food from corner shops just to get by according The Guardian. But this experience taught him the value of resilience and perseverance, and he knew he had to create his own path to success.

After moving to the UK, Bartlett enrolled in business management at Manchester Metropolitan University. But he quickly realized that the traditional route of education wasn’t for him. He attended just one lecture before dropping out to pursue his dream of entrepreneurship. And this decision turned out to be a game-changer for him.

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In 2014, Bartlett founded Social Chain, a social media marketing agency that helps brands connect with younger audiences through innovative and creative campaigns. Starting from scratch in his bedroom, he built the company from the ground up, using his own personal brand and social media expertise to gain traction. Within just a few years, Social Chain had grown into a massive success, working with major brands like Coca-Cola, Apple, and Adidas.

But Bartlett’s big break came in 2021, when he became the youngest ever investor on the popular TV show, Dragon’s Den. Ironically, he had unsuccessfully applied to be a contestant on the show 10 years earlier. But he didn’t let rejection hold him back. After he became a successful business owner he eventually caught the attention of the show’s producers with his impressive business acumen and track record of success.

Steven Bartlett’s has proven that life isn’t always about following the conventional path. Sometimes, the greatest achievements come from taking risks and pursuing your dreams, even when it seems like the odds are stacked against you. So if you’re a young person with a big dream, take a page out of Bartlett’s book and go for it – who knows where it might take you!

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