Sabirul Islam is 19-year-old inspiration. Living with his parents in the Tower Hamlets Borough of London, he had what he describes as a deprived background in a difficult community atmosphere. He worked hard at school and passed his GCSE’s and A-Levels, and like most young boys as a child he dreamt of becoming a professional footballer. But Sabirul is on his way to stardom for a different reason.

This reason is the innovative and imaginative idea that he can help young people who look up to him through commercial means. Sabirul wants to help people become as successful as he has become. At nineteen he has written his own book, and developed a board game. He has also developed his own brand- “The World at Your Feet”. But how did it all start?

Sabirul still maintains that the most important moment in his life was the moment he received a letter containing the written words ‘Dear Sabirul Islam, you are fired’, and that the most influential person in his life is still the person who sent it to him- his cousin.

“He provided me with opportunities then, and I still go to him for advice now. Wherever he went I wanted to go. I still look up to him.”

At fourteen years old, and inspired by his cousin’s turnover of £60, Sabirul decided to set up his own website design company called ‘Veyron Technology’, and was hired by Merrill Lynch. In two weeks he made £2,000, and his company went on to win the award for Young Enterprise Inner East London Company.

And Merrill Lynch’s faith in Sabirul continued to grow. In July 2006, when Sabirul was just sixteen, they took him to New York, where he learnt the basics of investment through witnessing trading through the New York stock market.

Despite his busy life, Sabirul continued with his studies, attaining good grades at school. He continued to see his friends and, despite his busy business life, managed to enjoy his teenage years.

“My business life is my social life as well. If I was with friends 24/7, then I wouldn’t be were I am today. I still go to the cinema and hang out with my friends, but the seed has been planted for future success.”

Sabirul was constantly approached by young people on the estate where he lived. They would ask him how he had done it, and how could they do it, too. They became the inspiration for his book, which he wrote at just seventeen, titled “The World at Your feet”.

Sabirul approached forty publishing companies with his book, and was turned down by each and every one. In the end, he published it himself. It has now sold over 40,000 copies, and Sabirul says that every single one of those publishing companies has come back. The book is supported by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and by Peter Jones from Dragons Den.

Now “The World at Your Feet” is Sabirul’s brand. He spends his time touring, trying to pass on his wisdom to other budding entrepreneurs. And it seems to be working.

Sabirul received a call from the wife of Nigeria’s first President, requesting that he speak at a Summit to over 3,000 young people. After the event, one of them approached Sabirul and informed him that as well as thanking Barack Obama in the book he had just written, he also had a special thank you for Sabirul for providing him with the inspiration. He also claims that almost every one of the youngsters he spoke to that day added him on Facebook.

“I don’t have time to accept them all. I am currently working on accepting five a day. I have to have two Facebook accounts and have had numerous proposals. But it is so nice to see people interested and inspired by me.”

Sabirul’s hard work has lead to immense success, but does he ever worry that this has lead to friendships forged purely for the purposes of self gain?

“No. I have a level of respect for people and don’t think they would do that.”
Now Sabirul is concentrating on his future. He plans to take his tour around the world, and is in the process of pitching television ideas with the BBC. As an avid Arsenal supporter, he states that one day he might invest in his own team, or create his own team of young footballers. The sky is the limit, and the future looks bright for the young man who was once told that he couldn’t be successful and get a good job without going to university.

“I didn’t want to do that. I didn’t ever really want to go and work for anyone else.”

Sabirul lives with his parents and his two younger brothers and three younger sisters. Family orientated, he says that wherever he goes his parents will come with him, and that he is glad that he can be a positive role model for his siblings.

“The two youngest are writing their own books. One of them always has the title ‘The World at Your…’ and then changes the last word. It is nice to know what I do has an impact on my family. And I know that this is just the start of what is to come.”