At 19 years old, Balin Melville from Huddersfield has chosen to forgo university after turning down a place at the London College of Fashion to focus on a growing livestreamed coin-selling business. Since launching earlier this year, Melville’s enterprise, operating exclusively through eBay Live, has generated £510,000 in revenue over three and a half months, with projections estimating a turnover of £3 million by next year.

Melville’s interest in coins began at age 14, inspired by a large collection owned by his great-grandfather. He began collecting antique sterling silver coins, visiting shops in York and Sheffield during visits to his grandparents, before expanding into gold and silver bullion. Recognizing the increasing value of these assets, he started requesting bullion for gifts and gradually grew his inventory.

His venture into livestreamed sales was sparked by friends who were experimenting with online selling. Although Melville studied business, mathematics, and art at A-level, he sought to pursue entrepreneurship rather than traditional employment. “My passion was business but while I was studying I thought ‘oh my days, I don’t want to be sitting at a desk doing it for somebody else,’” he said.

Melville’s initial eBay livestream brought a modest profit of about £400 but saw a lull for two months. The business revived after he introduced a new product, using initial earnings to finance larger bullion purchases. He now operates at volumes sufficient to generate profit regularly, dedicating approximately 16 hours weekly to livestreaming operations.

Most of Melville’s sales comprise popular bullion coins, including one-ounce Britannias. Nevertheless, one item remains in his personal collection: a quarter-ounce Royal Mint Britannia minted from silver recovered from the wreck of the SS Gairsoppa, a British cargo ship sunk during the Second World War.

The decision to build this business occurs amid a broader context where nearly one million young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK are not in education, employment, or training. As his business grows, Melville plans to move into larger premises and is considering hiring contractors or full-time staff. Reflecting on his choice to skip university, he believes his current success “outweigh what I would have earned if I pursued a business degree.”

Melville offers advice to other young entrepreneurs: “You’re a kid for such a short amount of time so if you have an idea, execute it while you’re young. Don’t wait for the ‘right time’ because the right time may be now.”