“Corrie star launched my business”
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Fancy getting 40,000 unique page impressions an hour on your website? Entrepreneur Harjeet Johal pulled the punters into his online clothes store by hiring Coronation Street celeb Shobna Gulati.

Coffin firm makes a killing
By Kate Pritchard
Thought coffin makers couldn’t think outside the box? From giant ballet shoes to oversized beer mugs, here’s how a small family firm has shaken up the entire industry with its whacky casket designs.

Maximise your marketing
By Melissa Hancock
When Ed Reeves, co-founder of Moneypenny, realised that responses to their direct mail were drying up, he introduced PURL – personalised web pages. Response rates have soared by 70 per cent.

"Supermarkets don't get Indian food", says top entrepreneur
By Kate Pritchard
"They think it's all about stocking a few jars of Patak's", says Tony Deep, founder of £108m East End Foods.

Skincare firm hires Samanda twins to appeal to teen market
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
When Lianne Miller launched Young and Pure, a natural skincare range for teens, she wanted to ditch the dreary image of holistic products. What better to way to say, “fun and frivolous” than with Samanda!?

How to find a PR firm
By Catherine Woods
PR entrepreneur Jay O’Connor, now the managing director of European operations for Racepoint Group, has some tips on appointing a PR consultant that’s right for your business.

Big brands are killing luxury, says Thomas Lyte founder
By Charles Orton-Jones
Kevin Baker, entrepreneur and founder of luxury gifts brand Thomas Lyte, says that mass production is devaluing the luxury industry. That's why he's just spent £1m on the silversmith that mends the FA Cup.

TMTI builds “gadget doctor” business
By Kate Pritchard
Entrepreneur Crispin Thomas’s TMTI has become one of the UK’s fastest-growing companies by teaching customers how to work the bewildering features on their mobile phones and other gadgets.

Making money from energy savings
By Catherine Woods
Saving energy is good for the environment and for your bank balance, and it’s a habit Opus Energy MD Charlie Crossley Cooke is encouraging among his customers.

Sex toys: full steam ahead
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
If you’re looking to make a quick wad in the sex toy market, you might consider a drop ship scheme. Monique Carty, founder of Sextoys.co.uk, did.