Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info When Samantha Gilchrist was growing up on a council estate, she never thought that one day, her wedding venue business would be raking in a whopping £20 million.
Starting with a single venue in 2017, the founder and CEO of Gilchrist Collection has impressively expanded to own 12 luxury properties, which have since welcomed various A-list guests. Speaking exclusively to OK! about her childhood, Sam said: "I had a magical upbringing, my mum was fantastic and I don't remember anything bad about my childhood. My parents separated when I was four and we lived in council houses.
I got my clothes from jumble sales, but for me, that was the most exciting thing ever until I was a teenager, I really enjoyed it. "We moved into this flat. It was super mouldy and really disgusting, but it was my birthday, and because my mum needed to paint it, she painted 'Happy Birthday' on it and as a kid, it was the most exciting thing ever.
I was standing there in a fairy dress made out of crepe paper and tinsel that my mum had handmade. It was really incredible." Reflecting back on her childhood, Sam said that it prompted her to strive for a 'completely independent' future.
"It was definitely a struggle for my mum. I remember being aware of my mum working a lot of jobs to support us, and I've always had it in the back of my mind to want to be completely indep.