AT 21, Kelly Bucher felt she had reached a plateau in her career as a personal assistant, and decided to become her own boss.

Now, at 26, the young entrepreneur is the owner of three businesses, which see her travel the world with the likes of KT Tunstall, The Charlatans and the Kaiser Chiefs.

Kelly launched her first business - Nymphs of Bacchus - three years ago. It supplies merchandise such as badges, T-shirts and posters to sells at gigs, and it has won contracts from some the music industry's biggest stars.

Kelly, who prints much of the merchandise herself, is a regular at gigs across Manchester and is currently preparing to go on tour with singing sensation, Jamie T.

She said: "I was working as a PA at a textile firm and felt I'd gone as far as possible. I was interested in textiles and, after researching the market, spotted an opportunity to sell merchandise at concerts."

Kelly spent many hours at gigs and started printing T-shirts for local bands.

She says: "Lots of bands, who thought they would be the next big thing, asked me to do T-shirts for them. I went to hundreds of gigs and saw a lot of rubbish groups but I soon realised which ones were going to make it."

Tour

Kelly now gets approached to work for the bands of the moment and is currently waiting to hear whether she will be going on tour with Razorlight.

She says: "All lot of my work comes from recommendation and I also spend a great deal of time cold-calling to drum up new business. I often travel on the road with the bands and am in charge of the all merchandise which is on sale at the concerts. I get to meet some amazing people."

When Kelly is not on tour, she also finds time to run her burgeoning online retail company, which supplies accessories for hen and stag parties including, T-shirts, wedding veils and ball and chains.

She plans to expand the business by taking on agents in UK cities to promote the site.

Kelly has also teamed-up with a friend to launch her third venture, The Good Ship Lollipop, which stages Burlesque evenings at Manchester's Circle Club. Kelly says: "It is an excellent night out. It is extremely opulent with champagne, canapés and chocolate fountains.

"There is also a comedian as well as massages, and the guests get goodie bags." Kelly says she has not looked back since quitting her job. She adds: "I really enjoying going on tour with the bands and I'm still only 26.

"But it is great having my own businesses and it is something I will definitely be doing in the future." Tweet