A TEENAGE entrepreneur who set up his own design and marketing agency at the age of 17 has been nominated for two business awards.

Ryan Atkins, of Eastbourne Grove, York, is in the running to win two gongs in The Press Business Awards 2009.

The 18-year-old has been nominated in two categories – Young Business Entrepreneur Of The Year and Business Personality Of The Year.

Ryan, who left school after taking his GCSEs, took internet tutorials to learn his trade and is now company director of a successful design and marketing agency called Mediamake Ltd.

“After leaving school, I worked in a tropical fish shop to earn enough money to be able to buy all the things I needed to set up my own business.

“I started out by going round to companies and offering to do their graphic design for free.

“I also made some very good contacts at HSBC bank and my business card is now in every single banking desk in HSBC, so if anyone goes in for advice on starting up a new business, they will be given one of my cards.

“It was difficult, but it’s worked out and I’ve already worked with big, nationwide companies, as well as local businesses, such as florists.

“I meet up with clients and assess where they are at the moment and how I can help to improve their performance. I might revamp their website or run a traditional PR campaign for them.”

Ryan, who grew up in Warwickshire before moving to York when he left school, said he could not think of a job he would rather be doing.

“For 18, I’m doing very well for myself and I don’t have any regrets about leaving school when I did,” he said.

“I can’t see what else I would be doing now that I would enjoy more, apart from maybe being a surf board instructor, but how likely is that?”

To visit Ryan’s website, log on to mediamake.co.uk

To enter The Press Business Awards, log on for more information. The closing date for entries is July 3.