A COLNE property magnate who started out sweeping the kitchen floor in his parents’ Chinese takeaway says he has the secret of becoming rich – it’s enjoying making money.

John Lee, the CEO and co-founder of Wealth Dragons, started investing in property in his early 20s and was a self-made millionaire by the age of 27.

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The 34-year-old now teaches seminars in property investment throughout the UK and has shared stages with Bill Clinton, Alan Sugar, Richard Branson, and Randi Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook.

Last week, he was back in Colne with his script writer on a research trip, visiting his childhood home.

He said: “I was back in Colne visiting some of the places I grew up in, partly doing some research, but I am also passionate about inspiring young people and I want to give something back to the community I grew up in.

“I loved the performing arts and before I left school I had some acting roles in well-known TV shows. Performing was one of my great loves, even though I eventually decided to go on to study animation at university.

“My parents were very hard working and had a Chinese takeaway business on the main high street, the China Garden, which is still in the family.

“I was expected to take over that business but I had my sights set further afield, however, I am very grateful to them for teaching me a solid work ethic from a young age.

“I used to make money by sneaking out of school and buying everyone fish and chips for lunch. I’d put a mark up on each order and it would be enough to buy my own lunch, so I’d pocket the lunch money I’d saved. I guess I was a born entrepreneur.”

John and his business partner, Vincent Wong, have now published a new book redefining wealth, called The Wealth Dragon Way.

He added: “The Wealth Dragon Way encourages the reader to re-examine their relationship with money.”