UNCONVENTIONAL entrepreneur Brad Burton, will include a visit to the Yeadon branch of his networking operation next week as part of its tenth anniversary celebrations.

After being regarded as a “no-hoper” with no qualifications and £25,000 of debt , Mr Burton has built his 4Networking businesses into a national operation with a nearly £2 million turnover.

Brad, who boasts tattoos and wears jeans and t-shirts rather than business suits, launched 4Networking in defiance of critics who said it would not work.

He had previously set-up up a marketing business in 2004, financing it by delivering pizzas, and had joined a number of business networking organisations to meet new customers but was unimpressed with how they were being run and believed he could do it better.

Starting with one small local group of entrepreneurs and small businesses, 4Networking now boasts more than 250 groups, including Yeadon, with members networking locally, regionally and nationally at over 5,000 meetings a year.

Brad said: “Insufficient funds when you’re starting a business are OK. Insufficient desire isn’t. You’ve just got to start talking yourself into things, instead of out of things. It can be scary, really scary, and you need a good support network you can trust as well as new customers.”

To mark the tenth birthday of 4Networking, Brad will be visiting 12 of its groups across the country in just one week, including Yeadon on Friday February19, where he will talk about how he overcame challenges and defied his critics and give advice on how to succeed in business.

Jason Dutton, recently –appointed 4Networking managing director, said: “Every new business starts the first day with little income and big dreams but you’ll struggle to succeed on your own – you need the strength to persevere, a positive attitude and the right support.

“Business, like life, is hard. Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know everything. You have friends and family in life to help when needed – get the same for your business. Build a network of contacts you can trust. “

He said 4Networking, which has no compulsory attendance or forced referrals, had changed the face of networking and further growth, including internationally, was planned.

The Yeadon group meets over breakfast every other Friday at the Premier Inn on Victoria Avenue.

A decade on, Brad has featured on Chanel 5’s The Money Pit, written three best-selling business books, is managing editor of business magazine 4Community and has become an international motivational speaker .