At just 24, Mitul Gadhia has shown his entrepreneurial credentials.
The young man from Mountsorrel has already set up his own estate and letting agency in Loughborough and is part of the franchise group Martin & Co.
He has grown the business significantly since 2012 in and has already won 'Best Young Business Award' at the Martin & Co Annual Awards in 2014.
Mitul has now been nominated for a Leicester Mercury Young Achiever Award in the Business and Enterprise category.
He was nominated by proud mum, Rekha, who said: "He's extremely hard working and always has been. He thoroughly deserves to be nominated.
"Mitul employs four full time team members and is continuing to grow the business. He's also offered training and guidance to two school leavers in the form of apprenticeships and has gone on to open a second office Martin & Co (Mountsorrel)."
Mitul said: "I had no idea I'd been put forward for this. It's a big surprise, but a nice one.
"I started off as a Saturday boy in a branch of Nationwide and it developed from there. When I did my degree, part of it enabled me to complete a work placement and that was invaluable to me.
"I've also taken on some apprentices because I really appreciated the help and guidance I got in my younger years and if I can pass any of that on, I will."
The Leicester Mercury is looking for nominations for its Young Achiever Awards 2014.
We are asking schools, organisations and individuals to nominate people aged between 14 and 25 who are worthy of recognition.
We aim to reward those who have achieved successes against all odds despite, and not because of, background or personal circumstances.
Leicester College is sponsoring the Business and Enterprise award category alongside the overall sponsors, Fullhurst Community College.
A spokeswoman for Leicester College said: "We're very proud to sponsor this award for the third year running. As a member of the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, Leicester College offers young entrepreneurs the chance to realise and achieve their business ambitions by studying for a Peter Jones Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.
"We're a passionate advocate of business and enterprise and nurturing talent is what we do best, from identifying a budding entrepreneur to developing successful accountants. Studying at Leicester College prepares you for a successful future, with 95 per cent of our 16 to 18 year old students who completed a business or computing course in 2012/13 entering into further learning or employment.
"We work closely with local and regional business to ensure our training opportunities and courses reflect the needs of industry as well as offering our learners master classes, guest speakers and work experience opportunities with these businesses."
Salahuddin Safi, a business diploma student at the college, is among those to benefit from its courses.
He said: "I chose the business diploma so that I could learn all the basics I would need to start working professionally and I've really enjoyed working with my peers on projects."
The winners of the 10 categories will be announced at a ceremony on December 4 at Leicester City's King Power Stadium.
Each will receive £250 and a trophy. Two category runners-up will receive £50 each and a certificate of merit.
Capital FM presenters Dino and Pete will again be hosting the ceremony.
The closing date for nominations is Sunday, October 19.
Nominate online at:
leicestermercury.co.uk/youngachiever
