Sixteen-year-old Newport businessman George Tapsell; has set up a venture called Calma, selling goalkeeping gloves and other equipment to goalies around the world.

The former Bassaleg School pupil said: "I have always wanted to work for myself as I feel it’s very rewarding, it gives me a feeling of self achievement.

"I set up my first business at 14 which offered a service selling online merchandise and tips/strategies to the everyday online gamer. This was hugely successful and within a couple of months I was known as the market leader in my specific field, which was the game 'Fifa'. After three months I had earned enough in net profit to buy myself an Apple iMac and the required business equipment that I needed to expand."

This initial venture was so successful, George sold it.

He then went on to set up Calma, which sells 95 per cent of its stock online.

He said: "At the moment I have a spare room in our house which is full of gloves and other merchandise but this may have to change as the company is growing very fast. We have sports companies from Asia, South America and other areas of the world who regularly ask if they can stock our products. I have also spoken to some of the UK's leading sports stockists about my products and they seem to like them a lot. I run my own twitter account and Facebook page under the 'Calma' brand name. I also run a neutral goalkeeper twitter account which has no affiliation with my brand. This account has 7,000 plus followers whom I will slowly introduce my brand.

"The brand has teamed up with goalkeepers, private keeper schools and also coaches worldwide. These include coaches who are working for the likes of Arsenal soccer schools and other major clubs. Regarding brand endorsements we have an ex-England international keeper who is sponsored by us until the end of this current season. We have also had interest from current international keepers as well as sending gloves to German, Polish, Welsh and Russian senior team keepers for testing. The feedback received has been very positive," said George, who has been a goalkeeper for about nine years.

George said that setting up the business at times left him drained and it took about three months of 'sheer hard work every day before I could even start to think about selling'.

"I was staying up to until 3am most nights talking to business connections from the other side of the world, I found time zones to be a real obstacle but I eventually got through it. I set it up 100 per cent myself as I had a clear vision and it had to be my way. Quality, Reputation and brand image is one of the most important things when setting up a business, especially in the first year of sales."

He said: "I have many ideas floating around and also being developed. These include expanding the Calma brand but also things which have absolutely no relation to sports. These are possible future projects and I plan to develop these ideas when I have some spare time. I am always looking for gaps in the market or possibly 'the next big thing'."

George is currently in college three days a week doing a Level 3 LCT course.

He said: "I would advise anyone wanting to go into business not to get dis-heartened or put off when friends or other people laugh at you. The hardest part of being a young entrepreneur is to be taken seriously. You always need to take time and pride in what you do and two of the main qualities you need are patience and bravery. These are essential no matter how old you are. The golden advice is if you have an idea, do mind-maps, look for connections, ideas no matter how small or silly they are. It all helps! Last of all when you feel it is all too hard and too much don't give up as there are brighter times on their way. "