AN entrepreneur has started his second business at the age of only 21.

After setting up his first venture when he left college at 17, Lee Simpson has now branched out to set up graphic design company Studio Eighty Six.

It is an extension of his initial company, Rebelo, which also offers graphic services.

Although he is self-taught as a graphic designer and has no formal qualifications, Mr Simpson's businesses are going from strength to strength.

Mr Simpson said: "It started when I was running my first company Rebelo. At the time I produced quite a lot of my own graphics and website design.

"A few of the companies I was working closely with at the time saw my own work and asked me to do their graphic design work as well, and I suppose that's where it all started.

"I've always been interested in design even from being at school, and naturally I did all my own graphics for Rebelo to save money when I was starting out.

"I tried to read as many text books as possible to learn what skills I would need. I had the technical experience but needed the theory to make sure I could compete with the other agencies and firms out there."

Although Studio Eighty Six has been going for only six months, it already has a sizeable client base.

"It's been a busy few months for me," he said. "It got to the point where graphic design was taking up almost all of my time and I didn't have time for other projects.

"When I officially started out, I was lucky to have a good list of clients behind me, which gave me a good head start in establishing Studio Eighty Six."