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Leading the homeworking revolution, we profile 30 of Britain's brightest entrepreneurs who run their businesses from home and say it's more than a lifestyle benefit - it's a competitive advantage too.

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What’s cooking in mum and daughters’ kitchen?
img 1 By Carryn Dewing
Anna Venturi and Letizia Tufari are the mum-and-daughter duo behind Venturi’s Table, a family business serving up a fresh new alternative to teambuilding events in the form of corporate cookery classes.

May 08, 2008 3:43pm
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Flowcrete founder says 'no' to kids joining the business
img 1 By Melissa Hancock
Dawn Gibbins was just 21-years-old when she set up Flowcrete with her father in 1982. Last month she sold the company for £35m and while her husband has stayed on in a MD role, she says there’s “no way” she would want her two daughters to join the business.

May 06, 2008 5:23pm
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Swiss sisters smiling all the way to the bank
img 1 By Carryn Dewing
In 2004, sisters Haleh and Golnar Abivardi opened Swiss Smile, a private dental clinic, in Zurich. Today, they have clinics in St. Moritz and London, employ 200 people and, with a turnover of £10m, have plenty to smile about.

April 29, 2008 4:12pm
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Peas in a pod
img 1 By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Andy Davidson started helping out with the family business at 16. Ten years on, he’s launched two more businesses under the family umbrella and sales are blooming for the green-fingered clan.

April 23, 2008 4:13pm
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Top ten oldest UK companies
img 1 By Real Business
When it comes to the oldest UK companies, family businesses are well represented. Read the list below and see for yourself.

April 21, 2008 12:31pm
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Funeral family business stays true to its roots
img 1 By Catherine Woods
Dom Maguire’s youngest son joined the family business – Anderson Maguire Funeral Directors – four years ago, but the two rarely work together.

April 17, 2008 12:09pm
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It’s not easy filling your father’s shoes.
img 1 By Rebecca Burn-Callander
When Ben Hall took over the family business in 2003, it was just going to be a short-term gig to raise some cash. But Hall surprised himself. He was given a failing shop in Chorton with eight months on the lease and within three, he’d renewed the contract for another 15 months.

April 11, 2008 2:17pm
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Sibling entrepreneurs take on cosmetic surgery
img 1 By Carryn Dewing
Entrepreneurial brothers Surindar and Nick Dhandsa are carving out a niche in the cosmetic surgery business. After selling their nursing home chain for approximately £320m, the brothers opened London’s first purpose-built cosmetic surgery clinic.

April 07, 2008 5:46pm
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Joining a family firm: the low-down for non-execs
img 1 By Kate Pritchard
Thinking of becoming a non-exec director of a family business? Betty Thayer, serial entrepreneur and chief executive of Exec-Appointments, reveals what it takes to join the family fold.

March 31, 2008 10:41am
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"I'd rather crawl naked over broken glass than sell to a supermarket"
img 1 By Matthew Rock
Entrepreneur Edward Perry, co-founder and CEO of Cook, rules out one route to market for his upmarket ready meals.

March 17, 2008 3:40pm

BUSINESS NEWS >>

Quiet man back in spotlight as NewsCorp eyes Blinkx

By Mattthew Rock - May 09, 2008 4:44pm GMT

As NewsCorp and even Google are rumoured to be be considering bids for UK video search engine Blinkx, a reminder of the brains behind the venture.

Top ten hottest entrepreneurs

By Real Business - May 09, 2008 3:29pm GMT

During the course of the day, we do a lot of talking. Most of the time it’s about the really important stuff; stuff that matters to you. We discuss how the regulatory regime can stifle entrepreneurial Britain, finding finance when times are tough and we’re constantly brainstorming about ways we can give you what you need.

Gordon Ramsay outrages restaurant owners

By Kate Pritchard - May 09, 2008 2:42pm GMT

Foul-mouthed celebrity chef and entrepreneur Gordon Ramsay has caused fury among the country’s restaurant owners by saying they should be banned from serving fruit and vegetables that are out of season.

Outsider shakes up luxury watch industry

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - May 09, 2008 1:56pm GMT

Sometimes, ignorance is a blessing. Alastair Laidlaw knew nothing about luxury watch retailing when he started Jura Watches. And a good thing too…

Veganism – the new front in the battle to cut carbon?

By Melissa Hancock - May 09, 2008 12:42pm GMT

We all know the health benefits of a vegan lifestyle but now vegan businesses are arguing...  


BUSINESS COMMENT >>

Dun Deal

By Matthew Rock - May 09, 2008 5:09pm GMT

As Carphone Warehouse founder Charles Dunstone flogs half his retail estate for £1bn to Best Buy, we ask: what kind of entrepreneur is the chipper one?

The Apprentice: Sir Alan's youthful indiscretions

By Matthew Rock - May 07, 2008 10:07pm GMT

Two go, but between the lines something even more interesting...

Bojo bags Mayor

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - May 06, 2008 3:01pm GMT

Boris Johnson beat Ken by 140,000 votes. Mop trounces baldie. But now the brilliant buffoon is in power, RB has one question. Can we call him Mojo?

Why this is a long weekend

By Matthew Rock - May 02, 2008 4:02pm GMT

This year, International Labour Day seems strangely appropriate.

How to win public sector contracts

By Catherine Woods - May 02, 2008 2:52pm GMT

In this year’s Budget, Chancellor Alistair Darling pledged to do more to help small businesses win government contracts.



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