video: My First Million

successful entrepreneurs tell us how they hit the big time

Still waiting for that first million? Get some inspiration from our video series featuring some of the country's top business brains.

Video 11: Alex Albone

Alex Albone, founder of Pipers Crips

Pipers Crips founder Alex Albone is a rare breed of entrepreneur. He loves the credit crunch. "Many of the buyers who had ignored us in the past suddenly wanted to talk to us," he says. "They realised that the way to survive is to take another look at their product mixes and put something fresh in place."

 
 
 

Video 10: Lord Jamie Borwick

Lord Jamie Borwick, founder of Modec

Lord Jamie Borwick explains how the idea to produce zero emission vans came from a taxi firm that he set up using zero emission cars. He tells us how his business has gone from strength to strength and is now breaking into the European market.

 
 
 

Video 9: Simon Calver

Simon Calver, founder of LoveFilm.com

Simon Calver was inspired by his love for films, finding a gap in the market for an online home entertainment company which offers a service at a reduced cost in comparison to traditional video shops. Simon admits to not being born an entrepreneur but worked for blue chip companies to gain experience and training.

 
 
 

Video 8: Hiro Harjani

Hiro Harjani, founder of Aftershock

Hiro Harjani started his business career in the UK driving a mini cab. Hiro explains the difficulties in starting a business in the UK, learning the business through trial and error and having the hunger to succeed. He also explains how to launch a product globally and the importance of having a mentor.

 
 
 

Video 7: Angus Thirlwell

Angus Thirlwell, founder of Hotel Chocolat

Angus Thirlwell started out with £5,000 and a packet of mints. Today, his luxury brand Hotel Chocolat has sales of £40m and has just launched in the US. Find out how he did it and get his top three tips for budding entrepreneurs.

 

 
 
 

Video 6: James Murray Wells

James Murray Wells, founder of Glasses Direct

James Murray Wells, founder of Glasses Direct, describes how he stared his business at university and why it will survive the credit crunch.
James also explains why it can take little or no budget to get a business up and running by using alternative marketing solutions.

 
 
 

Video 5: Wilfred Emmanuel Jones

Wilfred Emmanuel Jones, founder of The Black Farmer

Wilfred Emmanuel Jones, founder of The Black Farmer, speaks about being inspired by an allotment in the busy city of Birmingham to become the successful farmer he is today. Owning his own land and livestock, he is able to produce a range of meats to compete against big brands. He talks about following his dreams and the persistence needed to build a successful business.  

 
 
 

Video 4: Will King

Will King, founder of King of Shaves

Will King, founder of King of Shaves, speaks about what it takes to build a strong foundation for his business and the importance of hard work and a passion for success. Will has forecast that his company will be turning over £75 million in wholesale sales by 2010.

 
 
 

Video 3: Sarah McVittie and Thomas Roberts

Sarah McVittie and Thomas Roberts, co-founders of Texperts

The founders of Texperts reveal what motivated them to start their own business, where their entrepreneurial spirit comes from and share their top tips on pitching to potential investors.

 
 
 

Video 2: Charlie Mullins

Charlie Mullins of Pimlico Plumbers

Charlie Mullins is plumber to the stars and founder of London's largest independent plumbing company, Pimlico Plumbers.

Here, Charlie shares his personal and controversial views on the business world and reveals how he launched his company in 1979 with a bag of tools and an old van and grew it into a £13 million business.

 
 
 

Video 1: James Caan

James Caan of Dragons' Den fame

He's a serial entrepreneur, a venture capitalist and the multi-millionaire star of Dragons' Den. But even James Caan had trouble funding his first business.

Here the CEO of private equity firm Hamilton Bradshaw talks about start-ups, set-backs and success:

 
 
 
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