My first million: the beach bum who launched a TV channel

How 24-year old extreme sports fan Al Gosling set up a TV production and distribution company from his parents's barn with no experience.

Al Gosling's love of extreme sports was obvious long before his entrepreneurial skills became apparent. An old photo shows him on water skis at about the age of three or four. Unfortunately, he wasn't as passionate about school when he should have been studying, the old Gordonstounian was selling boardshorts off the back of his old Renault 5.

Some "pretty messy" A-Levels followed, and jobs in the music and telecoms industries convinced him he wasn't cut out for "suiting and booting it in the City". So he went travelling, spending time working in the Bahamas as a yacht pilot and dive master, before returning to Britain, aged 24, and "hunting round for an idea" of what to do.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up
Jody Clarke

Jody studied at the University of Limerick and was a senior writer for MoneyWeek. Jody is experienced in interviewing, for example digging into the lives of an ex-M15 agent and quirky business owners who have made millions. Jody’s other areas of expertise include advice on funds, stocks and house prices.