Mentoring, Funding, Manufacturing, North West

Since job placements are down 70 percent, many people are looking to set up their own business. Many are wisely making the brave decision to buy into a lucrative franchise during a recession.

Those fabulous folk at Google give us some helpful advice about boosting your business online.

“In 30 seconds I can help you to change your life for the better,” says image consultant Louise. She has transformed her own by becoming an entrepreneur at 55.

Mother, blogger, mentor and founder of two businesses; Suzy’s story proves the power of starting over.

Make Your Mark in the Markets - the competition to give you the opportunity to turn your entrepreneurial ideas into reality and start trading on a Market near you for free

The idea for Smarter Housing first came to Adam Arnold, 24, in April 2005 while he was a student at the University of Warwick. Frustrated by his dealings with estate agents when looking for somewhere to rent, Adam became convinced that he could do a better job.

Being told off by his mother for forgetting to bring the washing in before it rained was the incentive for Roger Hind to develop the Rotamate two years ago.

Sally loved travel, but wasn't so fond of the effect that mass tourism has on local people and the environment. So she set aside a planned legal career to develop ethical travel website Your Safe Planet.

Jerome Touze (right) and Peter Ward established travel social networking site Where Are You Now? (WAYN) in September 2002. WAYN helps travellers stay in touch with their friends but also publishes reviews of hotels, restaurants and tourist sites.