Check out our exclusive interview with Essex-born, self-made millionaire, Dave West.

Dave came from humble beginnings as a market stall trader and ended up making a £100 million fortune selling cut–price alcohol.

He currently runs the exclusive nightclub 'Hey Jo' as well as other lucrative businesses which keep the cash flowing.

I strongly advise any budding entrepreneur looking to achieve the same business success to take note of Dave’s blunt, but straight to the point advice.

THE INTERVIEW:

What motivated you to get into business?

I wasn’t very good at school which I didn’t like, I had to start making money, so I decided to go into business.

When was your first business experience?

Probably when I was around five or six. My family had a flower shop and stalls at the Romford market, so I was involved in business at a very early age purely by virtue of being there.

Did you have any role models?

The market traders were the people I watched, I was always looking at what they where doing, how they where performing in the markets and how they used the 'gift of the gab'.

Was running a market stall lucrative in those early years?

I wouldn’t say I was earning a lot of money; the 'take' went up and down, but I was more 'comfortable' than the boys working in the factories and places like that. I suppose in those days, I was making maybe 100 pounds a week compared with someone who earned £2.50 or three quid a week. So I was making more than the average!

What types of items where you selling on your market stalls?

In the beginning it was flowers, but mostly fruits and vegetables, sometimes I sold toys at Christmas, and things like towels and blankets in the winter. In those days I was a big time hustler.

Did you do it for love or money?

I have always loved what I’ve done, I’ve never been involved in any businesses that I didn’t love and enjoy.

In one of your early documentaries you mentioned that you couldn’t read or write, was that a disadvantage in your business life?

In those days it was not a disadvantage because everything was based on buying and selling but now, in this day and age, it is a slight handicap with so much being done over the computer.

How many hours on average would you say you work?

From the ages of twenty and upwards, I worked virtually 18 hours a day, seven days a week. I still work 18 hours a day now. I would get bored if I wasn’t active doing business, so I sacrifice free time.

Did you have any major business failures?

After leaving the market stalls I had many, many different businesses and eventually I'd get bored with a business and let it go down the pan and start up another one because when one door closes another one opens.

Can you name some of the businesses you have started?

I had a car hire business that was relatively easy to start up, just driving people from A to B. I also had a camper van business, selling camper vans outside Australia House. I started a wine, beer and tobacco wholesale business also Hey Jo a private members' club. I have set up other businesses that I enjoyed similar to the ones I have just mentioned.

You made it big by making millions and millions with your cut-price alcohol business, how much did you start the business with?

I started with less than five thousand pounds of my own money. I’ve never taken out overdrafts or been in debt to banks or things like that. When I started to make money I just kept putting the profits back into the business rather than running out and buying fancy cars and luxuries.

Did you know that this business is where you would make your fortune?

I never ever dreamed it would rocket into the business it did, that came as a great surprise to me. I remember the business was virtually out of control at one time.

Were you inclined to write up a business plan before starting a business?

I never had any business plans when I started a business but once the business started to take off it was important to be on top of things.

If you where young again, what type of business do you think you would get into?

Well... technology of some description, something based around the Internet.

What sort of luxuries do you splurge on?

Obviously I’ve got some nice cars but I am not very materialistic, I live a modest lifestyle. The luxury of life is knowing that you can buy whatever you want when you want.

Did you always want to be rich?

All I wanted was to be successful and if you are successful money follows. I never chased it in the same sense as Alan Sugar or Richard Branson.

Do you get a lot of people asking you for business tips?

People always ask me how do you make money and I always say hard work.

What’s your definition of hard work?

Devoting all the time in the world to your goals. Even when you’re not physically around your business, your mind is working all the time - your mind should be scheming and strategising.

Is there an inspirational movie, song that as ever inspired you to succeed?

Yeah, I used to like Robin Hood.

What advice would you give to someone looking to become rich like yourself?

Use your own abilities, whatever you're good at - exploit it. Also try taking on a business you enjoy and work very hard at it. Put all the time that you can into it.

(Check out Dave in action below.)