A STALLINGBOROUGH man who came back from the brink of financial ruin to build an international business is to feature on a Channel 4 documentary.
Steve Elwis, 56, is the owner of stock buying company Virrgo, based in Laceby.
His lucrative business caught the attention of scouts from the Channel 4 documentary series Getting Rich In The Recession, for his unusual line of work of buying and selling everything and anything.
Steve will feature in the third programme of the series, being aired tomorrow at 9pm.
The programme is entitled The Man Who Buys Anything.
Steve said: "I started out as a car dealer and I did very well from it.
"I later took on the Park Lane nightclub in Cleethorpes and was doing really well.
"But in 2001, it all went sour.
"I had overtraded myself, the bank repossessed my businesses, I had to declare bankruptcy and I was left with nothing.
"In 2002, I started buying excess stock of children's novelty party gifts when I realised just how much bankruptcy stock there is available.
"I started buying different stock and the business started growing from there.
"Now, 10 years on the business is doing great. We are trading with companies big and small who are either over-stocked or are selling up due to bankruptcy."
When Channel 4 first approached Steve in January, he jumped at the chance to get involved.
"They called me up and asked me what I knew about trading surplus stock," he explained.
"I said I could tell them whatever they needed to know.
"Filming the show was great. It was a lot of fun.
"They have called me the modern-day Del Boy because I will buy and sell anything.
"The show takes a fun look at how people are making money in the recession, but we are all serious business people.
"Thanks to the show, there has been so much media interest.
"I have just written some top business tips for The Sun newspaper, and tomorrow morning I am being interviewed on BBC Breakfast at 8am before the documentary airs at 9pm."
Steve has big plans for his business in the local area.
He said: "I work primarily in London but I have my office in Laceby.
"I have just bought a warehouse on Wilton Road, in Humberston, and from there I hope to start stock auctions for people in this area.
"I have also just set up a training school called Trading School, where I will be helping people learn how to buy and sell in business."
For more information about Virrgo, visit www.virrgo.co.uk, call 01472 232054 or e-mail info@virrgo.co.uk
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