Tuesday 24 February 2009

James Caan | Ethnic Minorities Business Task Force


By Maxine Myers (Source: The Voice)
ENTREPRENEUR AND star of TV show Dragons' Den, James Caan, has been appointed co-chair of the Government's Ethnic Minorities Business Task Force.
The task force will form strategy to assist ethnic minority-owned businesses across the UK, and is the country's most influential team working on behalf of ethnic minorities in the business arena. Caan, who made his name and fortune in the recruitment industry, before moving into private equity, says ethnic minority businesses of all sizes can contribute a whooping £30-£40 billion to the UK economy each year.
In these credit crunch times- it is one of the key areas of the economy that's actually growing. "There could be as many as 100,000 new BME [black and minority ethnic] businesses created over the next 12 months alone, and part of the task force's job will be to make' sure Government support is communicated to the right people in the right way, encouraging these entrepreneurs as well as signposting very practical Government packages that are in' place to help them," he explained.
DELIGHTED
Caan, who has first-hand experience of ethnic minority businesses, says he is delighted to take the role and feels he is the right person for the job. "This particular task force is focused on BME businesses, and that's where I'll be offering my insight and experience. It's an area I have a close knowledge of and one that's close to my heart," he said.
The entrepreneur will be reporting his findings to business secretary Lord Peter Mandelson, who says he hopes the appointment of Caan will help remove barriers for ethnic minority business owners. "It's more important than ever that we create an environment where anyone with ambition, passion and a good idea, no matter what their background, can succeed," he said.

Monday 23 February 2009

Laban Roomes | Goldgenie


From Dragons’ Den to glittering success
Entrepreneur Laban Roomes tells how going for gold paid off
By Janelle Oswald (Source: The Voice Feb 2009)

North LONDON-based entrepreneur Laban Roomes is celebrating after winning a contract to design exclusive iPods for superstar Sir Elton John.
The 39-year-old founder of gold-plating company Goldgenie has signed a deal with Sir Elton to design 900 Swarovski encrusted iPod Nanos, each with the star's signature laser engraved on the back. The special iPods will be sold, exclusively at Selfridges or directly from goldgenie.com.
"I'm completely over the moon. At last all my hard work and commitment to my business is paying off," Roomes told The Voice. Roomes' company applies genuine 24-carat gold, silver, platinum, nickel and chrome to metallic items.
MACHINE
The company developed a unique portable gold-plating machine, which quickly allowed Roomes to establish a successful niche market in the automobile industry gold plating car emblems for Lexus, Honda, and Toyota dealerships across the UK.' Roomes then moved on to gold-plating items like jewellery, golf clubs, and Nokia mobile phones, along with a variety of household objects, including bath taps and fittings.
However, it was not until he was invited to Hollywood to distribute over 50 gold-plated mobile phones at the Emmy Awards to top stars that Roomes realised he needed a cash injection to help develop his business further.
BACKING
After appearing on the BBCs Dragons' Den in 2007, Roomes managed to secure financial backing from entrepreneur James Caan. He was given £60,000 to take his business to the next level. "I'd had the chance to go into the Den twice before, but had lost my nerve both times at the last minute. It's an incredibly daunting experience, and watching the programme on TV just can't prepare you for how intense the pressure is in there.
NERVOUS
"Although I was completely, nervous and messed up a few times, I managed to pull through.”I was attracting interest, but within" no time at all, the 'Dragons' declared themselves out one-by-one until only James Caan remained.“ To my amazement, he said that he would give me the investment I needed to take my business to the next level. "
"Since appearing on Dragon's Den, my business has catapulted and I now have exclusive deals with Harrods, Selfridges and HMV; where I designed gold-plated iPods," Roomes said. He has .been working on the iPod deal with Elton John for the past six months. "Originally, I designed 12 iPods for him to auction at his famous White Tie and Tiara (PWW), which wept down a storm.
"Denzel Washington and Will Smith got word and placed an order, which I sold for £30,000 each, so l decided to strike a long-term deal with Elton because of the growing demand, "the entrepreneur said.
LAUGHING
Roomes, a father who has been married for seven years, is laughing now, but he didn't always have the. Midas touch. Before hitting the jackpot, he would often travel by foot to promote his business.
"Determination is vital if you want success. You must keep focus. It's easy for others to look at me now and say 'wow', but back in the days when I first started promoting Goldgenie, nobody wanted to know. I used to walk to each shop one-by-one because I did not have a car. It was extremely difficult, especially when I had to carry the Goldgenie machine on my back.'
"But God is good because look at me know. I'm making deal with Sir Elton John.” Money from each iPod sold will go to Elton John’s Aids Foundation (EJAF), which was set up in 1993 to help those living with, affected by, or at risk from HIV/Aids.
"I am also extremely happy and proud that the iPods will raise money for those suffering from HIV and Aids. Knowing that Aids is one of the world's biggest killers, I am happy to be a part of the fighting solution," said Roomes.
The iPod Nanos will come in a variety of colours - black, blue, green, orange, pink, purpIe, red, silver and yellow - and will have over 250 colour-coordinated Swarovski crystals. "If you are buying for yourself or a loved one, we are certain that you will be absolutely delighted with these fabulous Starburst iPods," said Roomes.