A young entrepreneur who set up a business in his mum and dad’s bedroom is now on track to earn his first half million.
Paul Randall, 30, launched online furniture store Rainbow Zebra from the family home in Almondsbury four years ago.
In the early days the Business Studies graduate turned over as little as £200 a month – and Paul struggled to make ends meet.
Having left a potential retail career with Marks & Spencer to set out alone, he was determined to make a success of the business.
Realising he had little experience of selling online, he taught himself the basics of online marketing and internet best practice before working with web developers to launch the site.
Now he has since taken on his first employee and sales have soared. The firm enjoyed record sales of £57,000 in July – £20,000 up on its previous record.
Paul said: “It was a bit daunting and at times I wondered how I could pay for the bills, let alone pay myself a wage.
“But I had nothing to lose and thought I’d give it everything I had. I was ecstatic when I made my first sale – for one office chair.
“I had studied business, but there’s no greater training than on the job. The first couple of years were tough, but I learned a lot.”
Rainbow Zebra, which prides itself on low price but great customer service, has since moved to Aztec West with a small warehouse in Thornbury.
His first employee, Joanne Nelmes, who joined in a sales and marketing role has helped him double turnover every month.
Paul has since moved out of the family home and is set to get married next April.
The former Marlwood School pupil said: “We are on target to make half a million now and have no plans to slow down.
“My mind is constantly buzzing, thinking about new ways to grow. It’s great that I now have a team member I can share ideas with.”
The long-term aim is to launch new products and reach £1m turnover by 2017.
Pictured: Paul Randall and Joanne Nelmes in the Rainbow Zebra office
