Seriously Business - Entrepreneur, Business, and Inventions Blog

The 17^th century philosopher John Locke spoke of the “tabula rasa” - the blank slate onto which experiences are etched, subsequently affecting our ideas, sensations and characteristics. There were, he said, no innate ideas stamped upon the mind from birth. A budding entrepreneur might construe this as a sign that Locke was suggesting, by extension, that a man must become successful in business through training, application and experience rather than through an innate drive - but can we say that this is true?

A recent survey by the US’s Northeastern University, in Massachussetts, tends to fly in the face of this. Studying the responses of over 200 entrepreneurs from across the Atlantic, it gleaned that a majority (62 per cent) believed they were born with the desire and ambition to found their own businesses - suggesting that nature may be more valuable than nurture when it comes to realising one’s goals. (more…)

To what extent does force of personality make or break an entrepreneur? It sounds a bit like an exam question, but it’s well worth pondering by casting the eye over the successful businessmen we’ve already profiled.

Sir Richard Branson has already been cited as an example of somebody who was ineffective academically but grew to thrive through, in part, force of personality. Never failing to exude an almost boyish charm, he thrives on spontaneity and the ability to come out with a pleasing soundbite which will make others feel good and promote a positive image of himself or his own ventures. But that’s not to suggest that he isn’t genuine - he once explained that “having a personality of caring about people is important. You can’t be a good leader unless you generally like people. That is how you bring out the best in them,”and this has been borne out in his career. He is an altruist, somebody who genuinely wants to make the world - and people - better. Profitable relationships and joint ventures are always likely to result from such an outlook, especially when married with an astute business sense. (more…)

Blogs, podcasts�.what’s next when it comes to getting your message across to the widest audience possible? It could just be that the new trend for ‘moblogging’ rises inexorably - with at least one high-profile provider now ready to roll this out to the awaiting masses.YouTube, fresh from its takeover by Google, is that firm - having stated that it will spread its video-share capabilities to mobile phones amid high public demand. This could have interesting implications for businesses which have already chosen to capitalise on YouTube’s ability to snare internet users, with mobile phone customers potentially very amenable to viewing short, sharp clips which can be loaded up by doing little more by putting their hands in their pockets. (more…)

Blazing a trail for female entrepreneurs everywhere, Dame Anita Roddick proves a shining example of someone who has built up a small local enterprise into a major, sustainable high street brand through pure hard work and innovation.

A former UN employee, she initially set up the Body Shop in a bid to provide herself and her children with sufficient funds when her husband was away in the US - and from a small store in Littlehampton selling just 15 product lines she has now created a world-recognised company with over 300 products on its shelves and, by 2004, 1,980 stores in 41 countries. (more…)

Mini-CV:

- Born to working class parents in the East End
- Began his career as a civil service statistician
- Started up on his own selling everything from vegetables to computer aerials
- Launched Amstrad aged 21

Sir Alan Sugar, the multimillionaire and star of TV show The Apprentice, is perhaps the classic example of how an entrepreneurial spirit combined with a lot of hard work can bring you success.

His humble origins are in London’s East End, where he was born in Hackney in 1947 as the son of a tailor. Now he is believed to be worth around �800 million, making him one of the richest businessmen in the country, so how did he get there? (more…)

Dragon’s Den is a BBC series that seeks to find the next big entrepreneur. The lucky - or sometimes unlucky - individual must face five ‘dragons’ in a room whereby they pitch an idea in order to hopefully gain the desired investment for their business venture.

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Mini CV

- Began his career as a stage designer for rock concerts
- Moved into television production
- Set up first YO! Sushi restaurant in 1997
- Sold controlling stake for £10 million in 2003 Awarded OBE in 2006

Is there a less typical millionaire business entrepreneur than Simon Woodroffe? The former rock concert stage designer and current owner of multimillion restaurant chain YO! Sushi only started up his business career proper after he turned 40. As one of the most charismatic and slightly off-the-wall dragons in the BBC’s Dragon’s Den, he is always ready to speak his mind, but also the willingness to give a good idea a try. (more…)

Mini CV

- Came to the UK from Cyprus in 1966 aged six
- Started as a tea boy at Lloyds of London
- Purchased the Ryman stationery chain from receivers in 1995 for £5 million
- Has turned around Millwall Football Club, La Senza, Contessa, Ryman and Partners the Stationers

Theo Paphitis is a 47-year-old Greek Cypriot millionaire who has made his huge fortune through turning around companies in the UK.

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Mini CV

- Born in Australia
- Years working in the financial and derivatives market
- One of the world’s top private investors
- Has owned a stake in numerous technology start-ups

Australian-born entrepreneur Richard Farleigh is one of the eponymous Dragons, in the BBC television series Dragon’s Den.

The 45-year-old was born in Kyabram, Victoria, Australia, as one of 11 children of an alcoholic sheep shearer. He was fostered at the age of three and had a tough upbringing. (more…)

Mini CV

- Studied at business college and set up glass and ceramics export company after leaving
- Started one of the UK’s first Stefanel franchises.
- Managed family’s holiday mark business, Weststar Holidays, before selling it for £33 million
- Appears on Dragon’s Den in order to identify new investment opportunities

Deborah Meaden is a British millionairess and appears as one of the straight-talking Dragon in BBC television series Dragon’s Den. (more…)