Jam entrepreneur reveals secrets of his sweet success in new book
up giving all the wrong answers at the wrong time.
“I probably look like an idiot but I think a lot of viewers just appreciate that I’ve learned bits of the language so everyone is very kind.”
Fraser’s book, 48 Hour Start Up, gives advice on the quick way to start a business.
He started his first business at just 14 after his gran Susan Doherty, 78, showed him how to make his first pot of jam.
He started his own jam-making empire in the kitchen of his parents’ home – selling his produce to friends and neighbours before targeting farmers’ markets and local shops.
By 18, he had become the youngest supplier to a supermarket chain.
Now, 13 years on from making his first jam, he has sold more than a million jars of his SuperJam across the UK. He also sells his products everywhere from Denmark to Russia.
Last year Fraser was awarded an MBE for services to business and took his gran with him when he received his medal at Buckingham Palace from Prince Charles.
Fraser, who has also won a Young Scot award, said: “My gran feels very proud that she started off my jam making.
“She still goes in to supermarkets and makes sure all my jams have their labels facing forward on the shelves.”
Fraser is also a gifted motivational speaker and has given addresses to companies including RBS and Unilever.
He said: “I have had a lot of business adventures and learned a lot about how to get a business started. You can do it quickly – even over a weekend – and that’s what my latest book is about.”