A loathsome show, a panto villain host and an insult to business: This is how one of the UKs leading business investors, and the ex head of Channel Four, Luke Johnson described The Apprentice in a column in the Daily Mail. Johnson says that Originally, the BBC characterised The Apprentice as a business programme. Now, it admits that it is simply entertainment. “I am all for popular TV — even if it’s a reality show. Indeed, I think such broadcasts can be educational, uplifting and fun”
Venture Candy judge Piers Linney looking for exciting and original talent: The Metro are reporting Star of Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire and the founder of Outsourcery, Piers Linney as he outlines what he’s looking for from budding entrepreneurs entering Metro’s Venture Candy business competition this year hoping to find Britain’s future stars.
Funding scheme aims to help small firms. The BBC are highlighting an innovative source of funding for businesses unable, or unwilling to borrow from banks. Funding Circle is a web-based operation which allows SMEs to borrow from wealthy individuals. Companies can borrow up to £75,000 for one or three years, with interest rates that range between 7% and 9% depending on their credit rating.
Video interview: Grace Fodor Jemma Kid Make Up School.
When successful model and make-up artist Jemma Kidd decided to launch a luxury cosmetics firm, she turned to Grace Fodor to take the brand global. With her background in branding and IP, Fodor was a real coup for the fledgling venture. The pair drew up a business model and concept from scratch, based on their varied skills and abilities, and managed to secure a contract with Boots – before they’d manufactured a single product, she explains how she did it in this Smarta interview:
