All Time Essentials for Entrepreneurs

I founded my first business, Santeau, in April 2004 in my spare room and after some very hard lessons sold my 75% majority stake in September 2007. My idea was simple: find a new way to help people drink more water. I invented a vitamin - enhanced flavor burst or bottled water called O2GO and extended the range to include a new product called Wahoo. These products currently sell into the military and retail markets. I still work with the Santeau business every day and enjoy watching the business grow. I started with a modest budget and a na ï ve but resounding belief in my new inventions. This insider ' s view gives recognition to the hardships and success involved in launching a business innovation from scratch without looking back through rose - tinted glasses. In order to stretch my own horizons I undertake a new endeavour every year. In the past decade I have run the London Marathon, completed a three - year drama course, competed in the Olympic - distance London Triathlon, lost 35 pounds in weight (twice), trained for the Marathon Des Sables, written a book, learnt how to play squash, started Nordic walking, gained my motorbike licence, taken an Open University degree in Planetary Science, shared a stage with B - list celebrities, met amazing people and numerous other achievements.