Michelle Mone's top career tips

To celebrate Women's Enterprise Day, Michelle Mone, founder and co-owner of Ultimo Lingerie shares her top career tips.

  Mel B with Michelle Mone of lingerie brand UltimoWith appearances on The Apprentice, Coleen's Real Women and a stint as a GMTV correspondent, Michelle Mone of top designer lingerie brand Ultimo is a force to be reckoned with. Michelle started up MJM International Ltd in 1996 with her husband Michael. Despite leaving school at 15 with no qualifications, Michelle managed to make her lingerie brands one of the most successful in a crowded marketplace. To encourage other women to get involved with Women's Enterprise Day and Enterprise Week, Michelle's has shared her ultimate career tips.

Michelle Mone's top tips:
Thoroughly research your marketplace and your competitors.

Know your product inside out.

Prepare a business plan and get sufficient funding in place before the start.

Keep focused on your target, remain determined and don't loose sight of your goal.

Find yourself a mentor who'll listen and act on advice given.

Keep tight control on your costs and don't overspend.

Employ knowledgeable and hard working staff to help you - you can't do it alone.

Be prepared to take criticism and remember it's not all going to be plain sailing.

When in a position to do so, try to give something back.

Find out more
Women's Enterprise Day is 19 November 2008, with Enterprise Week running from 17 - 23 November. 2008 is also Global Entrepreneurship Week. To find out more visit www.enterpriseweek.org.uk.

Get more great career tips on handbag.com

Are you a budding entrepreneur? Check out the Girls! Make Your Mark Awards. The 2008 awards have now finished, but there's always next year. Read more about it...

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