A teenager has got on his bike and set up his own business.
Jack Kelly, 16, from Saxmundham set up The Cycling Gardener in August 2025.
The business grew so quickly that he had to downsize his customer base from 20 clients to seven.
He is now in the process of expanding his knowledge and has just started a level 2 horticulture course at Suffolk New College’s Suffolk Rural Campus.
He said: “I set up the company just to make some money, but then I fell in love with gardening. I’m not actually taking on any more customers at the moment, but I’m happy to be an advocate for horticulture. I’m also keen to encourage other young people to enjoy the benefits of being outside.”
In terms of his business, he travels on his bike – carrying his tools on the back – and mainly does ‘beds and borders, lots of pruning and general maintenance’. But he has also worked on major projects including doing some planting at the ARC in Thorpeness.
And as recent figures for youth unemployment approach around 1million (Young people and work: interim report – GOV.UK), the youngster is bucking the national trend and has advice for others in terms of putting yourself out there.
He said: “Just do it – have a strategy and ask people around you, like your peers and parents, for advice. I also reached out to a local company (ABM Services) and have been sub-contracting for them.”
In terms of his enjoyment of horticulture, he said: “I love being outside, and I love the science of it. My dream would be to be part of the Chelsea Flower Show, and I’d love to become a garden designer.”
And on the college, he added: “It has amazing facilities, really good teachers, the atmosphere is friendly, and I love it.”
His lecturer at Suffolk Rural, David Smith, said: “Jack is a great student who is keen to learn, and he is a proper inspiration to others.”