Olli Smith is the first to admit he never switches off.

The human ball of energy is constantly thinking up new ideas and business ventures.

Nine years ago he created his clothing brand, Solus Supply.

It only really took off in May 2020 when he launched the website and began to create a proper brand for Solus as a standalone clothing line.

Earlier this year the 24-year-old launched a design/marketing agency called Solus Lab.

It builds upon his experience from Solus Supply and helping others.

And, more recently, he has unveiled a Bournemouth-based brand called…Based in Bournemouth.

It plans to focus on the community and local area with charity collaborations and campaigns with the likes of Coacoara.

The not for profit foundation, established to reduce plastic waste and assist in reducing the ocean’s plastic content, was founded by Liam Ulla.

Olli, who lives in Westbourne, said Based in Bournemouth was partly born out of despair at the state of the resort, especially after the tourists had left town.

He said: “I just felt frustrated at the way that Bournemouth is left every summer.

“It seems to be trashed by tourists, not just the beach but other parts as well.

“I had the design idea of an art deco feel for Bournemouth Pier which could be used on tee-shirts, mugs and other souvenirs.

“I want it to support local businesses and charities and give locals something to be proud of in the same way you have ‘I love New York’ products.

“Souvenirs tend to be rubbish but Based in Bournemouth will feature bespoke designs and high quality and sustainable materials.”

Olli got the chance to test the market while teaching English to foreign language students in the summer.

He said: “They had all bought hoodies featuring Oxford and ‘I love London’ but the quality was really bad and they had been overcharged.

“I got some Based in Bournemouth tee-shirts printed and brought them into school on their last day.

“They all wanted to buy one.”

Solus Lab was born out of the need to avoid putting all his business eggs in one basket.

Olli works with Head Designer Carlos Primola, an experienced graphic designer who comes from Brazil.

They met in the Bournemouth town centre branch of Pret a Manger where Olli can be found most days.

Baroque, the Lyme Regis restaurant owned by Olli’s mum, Jane Jones, was Solus Lab’s first client.

Described as a ‘little gem’ the restaurant is now ranked #2 in Lyme Regis with 121 ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ five star reviews out of 122 on Tripadvisor.

Olli said: “We did the logo, menu, website, signage and all the brand aspects.

“It helps that I come from quite an entrepreneurial family.

“Solus Lab also did the website for Stack-Cup which is run by one of my cousins.

“Another cousin has Half Turn, a mental health agency within football, and we also did their website.

“The great thing about all three businesses – Solus Supply, Solus Lab and Based in Bournemouth – is that they complement each other.”

Olli graduated from Cardiff University last year with a 1st Class Honours in Business Management.

A former student of Bournemouth Collegiate School (BCS), he credits his former business studies teacher Maria Coulter, pictured right, now Head of the Senior school, for first encouraging his entrepreneurial talents.

BCS is also now a client with Olli helping with design and marketing with plans to also hold student workshops.

So what does he put his business drive down to?

He said: “I want to leave a positive impact wherever I can with the aim of improving people’s lives in one way or another.

“That could be releasing a more sustainable hoodie which becomes someone’s favourite ‘go-to’ piece.

“Or it could be delivering a powerful and beautiful brand package which will be viewed by employees, customers etc on a daily basis.

“In a nutshell, redesigning the bland, ineffective and inefficient parts of the world is the ultimate aim.

“And I feel like if somebody is going to do these things, why not me with Solus?”