Entrepreneurs who win The Apprentice have the business world at their feet, with a big wedge of cash and advice from Lord Sugar to boost their company.
The winner of the BBC reality show was originally rewarded with a well-paid role at one of Lord Sugar’s firms. But after a contestant tried to take action against the TV star for constructive dismissal, which she lost, it all changed. Whoever triumphs now gets a whopping £250,000 to pour into their own business – certainly not to be sniffed at.
In the aftermath of the win, it’s all excitement, talk of growth and plans for the future. But after the clinking of glasses dies down, does it last?
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Over the years there have been a few winners whose business relationship with Lord Sugar hasn’t gone the distance.
Joseph Valente
(Image: PA)
In 2017, Joseph parted company with the business guru less than two years after he was crowned the winner. He had clinched the big investment for his boiler installation business after impressing Lord Sugar in the boardroom, but he went on to acquire the star’s shareholding.
Lord Sugar said at the time: “Since winning The Apprentice in 2015 with the prize investment of £250,000, Joseph, along with guidance and support from myself and my advisers, has transformed ImpraGas into a fast growing gas boiler installation company. Joseph Valente and I have agreed that he will acquire my shareholding and with it full control of the company will transfer to him.”
Sadly, Joseph ran into problems and in 2019 the business was sold. But he didn’t let it end his dreams of career success and went on to create two more companies amid the coronavirus lockdowns.
“It hit me very hard, I was very depressed for a couple of months, and one day I woke up and thought, ‘There is no way I am going to let this destroy me'”, he told Mirror Online. “I had my credibility and my reputation to rebuild.”
Alana Spencer
(Image: PA)
Alana found that her baking business Ridiculously Rich went from strength to strength after she won The Apprentice in 2016, with Lord Sugar’s help and financial help proving to be the perfect ingredient.
And three years later she was in a position to buy back his shares. Posting on social media, she said working with the star had been “an incredible experience” and that she had learned a lot. But she said buying him out and taking “full control back of my business” was an “amazing opportunity” for her.
“It was an exciting, crazy, scary few months while the final details were being agreed and sorted, but something I am so grateful for,” she told her fans.
Sian Gabbidon
(Image: BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Sian won Lord Sugar’s investment for her swimwear business, Sian Marie Fashion, in 2018. But in 2022 the pair parted ways. Speaking to Virginradio.co.uk, Sian said there was “no drama” over them going their separate ways but revealed that she had wanted some of her “independence” back. “It was all amicably done,” she said. “We’re on good terms, there was absolutely no drama. I think it was just the right time for us.” “Especially for me,” she added.
James White
(Image: PA)
James was one of two winners in 2017, after Lord Sugar decided he was going to invest in both his IT recruitment firm, Right Time Recruitment, and in contestant Sarah Lynn’s sweets brand.
However, in 2020 it was reported that James and Lord Sugar were no longer in business together, with the celeb saying in a statement that he wished James well and would “follow his progress with interest”.
James also spoke out, saying he was “very grateful” for everything that the star did for him while they were working together. “The knowledge and advice gained from Lord Sugar and his team has been invaluable,” he added.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
