One of the top four First Nations business owners in the country has shared the story of how he turned his life around.

Ben Schaber was imprisoned at the age of 17 when he was caught defacing government property and stealing.

He told Ben Fordham those three months in prison were the turning point in his life.

“It was halfway through my stint, I had no visitors, I was quite lonely.

“I just laid there and said ‘Nah man, this is not me … I’ve got to change my life.'”

His Alice Springs welding business, SWEL, was visited by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview

Image: Ethnic Business Awards