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BUSINESS ACHIEVER: Tarek Nseir, who has achieved so much by the age of 26

Tarek Nseir established digital agency Th_nk while at university, transforming it into one of the fastestgrowing businesses of its type in the UK. Deputy Business Editor Deborah Johnson discovers the award-winning entrepreneur's motivation for success and why he is encouraging others to follow his lead

And from that start as a 16- year-old student, ten years later, Mr Nseir is now head of multimillion pound technology business Th_nk, which he set up while at university.

Employing more than 60 people, the business has just opened an office in London to add to its central Newcastle base, and is predicted to have a £10m turnover by 2010.

The business has won a number of awards. Most recently it won North-East Digital Agency of the Year and has been named the fastestgrowing firm in the UK media sector at the Deloitte Technology Fast 500. Mr Nseir, 26, has been recognised for his achievements by being named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the Entrepreneurs' Forum.

"The work I did as a teenager really whet my appetite - from then on I knew I wanted to be in business. That was what I wanted to do more than anything else. I loved being employed by myself," he said.

Becoming an entrepreneur was one of two possible careers Mr Nseir had in mind when he was growing up - the other was the Armed Forces.

"When I was at school, there were two things I wanted to do - either join the air force or set up my own business," he said.

"Unfortunately, my eyesight deteriorated so I wouldn't be able to fly a plane, so that ruled out the air force.

"My mum and dad were both entrepreneurs - mum had a private security firm and dad was a restaurateur - so I spent a lot of time in a business environment.

"But what I think really made me want to set up my own business was from earning pocket money fixing PCs. I think that was probably the real catalyst."

After putting his PC fixing sideline on hold and leaving his Surrey home to study Information Systems at Newcastle University, Mr Nseir soon got bored.

"After my first year there, I realised it wasn't really what I wanted to do. There was nothing wrong with the university, or the course, or the people, or anything like that, it just wasn't exactly what I wanted to do," he said.

"I think it was all inspired by the work I was doing before, and the money I had coming in, my own money that I'd earned."

So Mr Nseir, along with a fellow student, decided to set up Revelation Design, which was based in their university accommodation. Within a short time, they were employing four people.

"We were doing relatively well, and decided to take the step from being a student business into being a proper business. Although the essential part of the business was the same, we decided to rebrand and move offices."

From that moment, Th_nk was born. "The way it's written is very deliberate - we really wanted to make people think about why it was like that, and therefore think about Th_nk the business" It has quickly become one of the North-East's most dynamic and thriving businesses.

With a client base that includes the BBC, the Learning and Skills Council and the NHS, Th_nk has opened a London office to deal with its increasing portfolio of national clients.

"There are quite a lot of our clients based in London, so it seemed the fairly obvious next stage, instead of us continuing to travel up and down from Newcastle," said Mr Nseir.

"It's a big step for the business, but one we are hopeful will really add to what we've already created."

After his level of success, Mr Nseir is supporting a campaign launched by The Northern Echo and the Entrepreneur's Forum - If We Can, You Can - which was launched to help and encourage people to become entrepreneurs.

Indeed, Th_nk has been given the contract to design the campaign website.

Mr Nseir said: "I want to show that starting a business is something you really can do.

Too often it is said that you shouldn't go into things like that without having security, but I disagree with that.

"When you are young and coming out of university, you have very little responsibility, no dependents, so the risks of starting out on your own are naturally less great."

But he said starting a business was not something everyone could do.

"I do think you have to have a particular type of character.

There are good times and bad times in business, of course a lot of risks involved, but if you go into it with your eyes open, that is an important start," said Mr Nseir.

"I do strongly believe that things like age or education shouldn't matter."

Mr Nseir speaks as one of the region's most promising young businessmen, who has refused to let age be an obstacle.

He is also well-placed to act as an advocate for the North-East's thriving business climate. "I live here now, and think this is an amazing place, particularly after spending time in London,"

he said.

"And in terms of starting a business, I couldn't think of anywhere better. There are so many people offering help, financial help and practical advice, that it can give anyone the best possible chance of success when starting.

"It's quite a small, but such a welcoming, community, that anyone can get involved in."

12:43pm Tuesday 18th March 2008

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