16/02/2014
Declan Curry with lively analysis of the big business stories making the headlines. He is joined by Michelle Mone, founder of international lingerie brand, Ultimo.
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Michelle Mone, founder, Ultimo
Michelle Mone is co-owner of designer lingerie brand Ultimo. She grew up in Glasgow, leaving school at 15 with no qualifications. Her first job was at Labatt Brewers, where rose to head of sales and marketing by the age of 22. She launched Ultimo in 1996, and the company now supplies Debenhams, Next, Littlewoods, House of Fraser, Selfridges and many others.
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Michelle was awarded an OBE in 2010.
Kuldip Sahota, co-founder, Mr Singh's
Along with his father and brother, Kuldip Sahota is co-founder of Mr Singh's.ÌýThe company'sÌýfirst product was a chilli sauce based on his father's recipe, and was made out ofÌýthe familyÌýkitchen for many years. In 2010 Mr Singh'sÌýappeared on the 91Èȱ¬ programme High Street Dreams, which in turn lead to a contract with Asda. However within a yearÌýthe companyÌýhit serious problems and was forced to cancel the contract, and in 2011 it nearly went bust. Since thenÌýMr Singh'sÌýhas secured outside investment, sales have increased sharply, and the three founders have gone full time.
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Kuldip studied at Central St.Martin's College for a while, before dropping out and taking up a job at Burberry. He also worked as a stockbroker and property investor before turning his attentions full time to Mr Singh'sÌýlast year.
Emma Jones, founder, Enterprise Nation
Following a degree in Law and Japanese, Emma joined international accounting firm, Arthur Andersen, where she set up the firm's Inward Investment practice that attracted overseas companies to locate in the UK.
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In 2000, Emma left to start her first business, Techlocate. After 15 months the company was successfully sold to Tenon plc. The experience of starting, growing and selling a business from home gave Emma the idea for Enterprise Nation, which she launched in 2006. It has since expanded to become a small business community of over 75,000 people who access content, events and funding - online, in print and in person.
Broadcast
- Sun 16 Feb 2014 19:3091Èȱ¬ Radio 5 Live