I couldn’t feed my nine kids we were so broke… now I make millions
A MAN who was so broke he struggled to feed his nine kids – now makes millions.
Nine years ago Rob Stone was struggling to make ends meet and deep in debt but knew that something had to change.
While he was looking online at franchise opportunities, he came across one for loft ladders.
Although he couldn’t afford a franchise he used his £200 credit card to buy some basic tools.
He designed a logo and launched his Instaloft brand on Facebook.
Fortunately for Rob the risk he took paid off and he is now in charge of the UK’s largest installer of loft solutions, with a £14million turnover.
The firm hires 140 people across its base in Telford, Shropshire, and has regional offices in Essex, Reading, Peterborough, Newport and Wakefield.
If things go according to plan, Instaloft is on track to hit a turnover of £30m within the next two years, according to Birmingham Live.
Rob is continuing to expand the business into new sectors and regions.
Thanks to his rags to riches tale he was named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the UK Business Awards in July last year.
Rob said at the time: “I’m still in shock to hear I have won Entrepreneur of the Year given the calibre of competition we were up against.
“Instaloft was borne from very humble beginnings at a very difficult time in my life and I have worked really hard to build the business, so to receive this accolade is incredible recognition after some tough years.”
He continued: “I hope my story inspires other aspiring entrepreneurs who are embarking on their own journeys to success.
“You have to believe you can do it to succeed and I look back on my journey so far with pride.”