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Prepare to be inspired

If you already run your own business – or have ever had a dream about going it alone – you cannot fail to be inspired by the businesses that entered the O2 Inspiration Award of 2007... more | Add your view

The winner: eCourier

The fastest-growing courier company in London – eCourier – is the winner of the O2 Inspiration Award for the most inspiring small business in London... more | Add your view

The runner-up: A Woman's Touch

Kerrie Keeling's company A Woman's Touch answers a simple question: Why do builders all have to be male and behave like men when it comes to cleanliness and tidiness?.. more | Add your view

Third place: ColorBlind Cards

At 17 years old Jessica Huie was pregnant and struggling to get by on benefits. Today she is the founder of ethnic greetings cards company ColorBlind Cards... more | Add your view

Case study: Belu Water

Selling water in compostable bottles to raise money for those without access to clean water is the vision Reed Paget had for Belu Water... more | Add your view

Case study: Beyond Skin

Beyond Skin's hand-made shoes are worn by a host of high-profile music and film stars after founder Natalie Dean decided she could no longer wear leather shoes... more | Add your view

Case study: GAMA Healthcare

Dr. Allen Hanouka and Dr. Guy Braverman gave up lucrative medical careers to set up GAMA Healthcare - although they have not given up saving lives... more | Add your view

Business rents

The success of small businesses is being stifled by soaring rents. Have your say here

Join the debate

You run your business your way, now have your say. Join the debate here

An inspiration to us all

The secret of success is a simple idea, our O2 Inspiration Award judges tell Niki Chesworth... more

I quit the rat race... to be my own boss

Why follow someone else’s dream, and why line an employer’s pocket when you can line your own?.. more

Young, free and single... minded

Self-employment is now seen as an alternative for increasing numbers of young people - although half start as employees before going it alone.. more

The butcher, the baker and the crumpet maker

Small businesses can have a big voice if they work together, as Niki Chesworth discovers along one vibrant London street.. more

Women who mean business

Whether it’s at a kitchen table or at a boardroom table, there’s been a 25 per cent rise in business start-ups by women.. more

How small can be the next big thing

It takes more than a dream of giving up commuting to make working from home work. It takes a big idea too.. more

The creative capital

What inspired these four London-based creatives to go it alone, asks Janie Lawrence?.. more

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