Sabirul believes profoundly in the power of positive role models. He himself was inspired by a teacher and his cousin early on in his business career, and has written a book that aims to inspire others.
"We became friends at university and set up ikonami, a software company, in our respective bedrooms in 1999 because we thought that we could “do it better”.
Hafida Sarachi understands what it is to be a woman in a man’s world – her business HandyGirl is an all-female home repair and garden maintenance company.
June Sarpong is no stranger to making her ideas happen: she worked her way up to her dream role as a TV presenter by doing work experience and pursuing every available opportunity.
Kwame Kwei-Armah is a respected actor (he played paramedic Fin Newton in Casualty and Holby City) and playwright (Elmina's Kitchen), but what gets him fired up most is seeing young people follow their ideas through.
Saira Khan was runner-up in the first series of The Apprentice. She has since used her larger-than-life personality to inspire and encourage budding young entrepreneurs in her role as presenter of the CBBC show Beat the Boss.
In 2005, Sir Alan Sugar selected former London Underground employee Tim Campbell as his first 'apprentice'. Tim has since left Amstrad and founded The Bright Ideas Trust which supports young entrepreneurs.
Lisa, Helen and Janet Tse are the three Chinese sisters behind Manchester’s innovative bar and eaterie, Sweet Mandarin and Helen is author of a book of the same name.
Urbeatz was co-founded by Yaw Owusu and Kofi Owusu in 2004. The Liverpool based urban music company aims to produce, promote, develop and manage urban music and culture, whilst at the same time providing quality and integrity.
Jordan Kensington is CEO of the Invincible Media Group as well as founder of the Urban Music Awards and promoter of British Music Week. He explains why a strong sense of self belief is the key to turning dreams into reality.
Sonia Ramanah set up StreetVibes Youth, an independent, non-profit youth organisation based in south London. Streetvibes Youth uses music and media-based activities to engage and inspire hard-to-reach young people.
Jane Ni Dhulchaontigh is a designer, inventor, materials supplier and successful business person. While completing an MA in product design, she came up with the idea for a malleable hand-formable material that will stick to almost anything: Formerol.
As a freelance community dance practitioner, Joanne works with new creative artists, young people and people from diverse backgrounds. Here Joanne answers our questions about how she's making her mark in the world of dance.
High-flier Astrid Patil made the decision to leave her job as a solicitor in 2005 to become a Domino’s franchisee. Two years later her husband Anil followed suit and set down his barrister’s wig to join Astrid full-time.
