Michelle Mone is an example of a woman who is not afraid to go after her dream. At 37 years old, she is the founder and co-owner of MJM International Ltd, a privately owned company, which she formed in November 1996 with her husband Michael Mone. 

Michelle Mone (above)

Michelle is not just a beautiful young woman, but also a highly successful entrepreneur and marketer . It has been a little more than 10 years since she started her business, but she already has won a number of prestigious awards including:

‘World Young Business Achiever Award‘ that she won in April 2000 at a ceremony in the Epcot Centre, Florida, and ‘Business Woman of the Year‘ at the Corporate Elite Awards, won by Michelle in October 2000 .  

Her achievements have further been recognised by Prince Charles, who asked Michelle to join the Board of Directors for The Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust in 2001. And in November 2002, Michelle was awarded an Honorary Degree, Doctor of the University, by Paisley University.

In May 2003 Management Today voted Michelle one of the top 30 woman entrepreneurs in the UK. Michelle was listed alongside the likes of Martha Lane Fox and Stella McCartney.

Michelle and Michael have three children: Rebecca, Declan and Bethany. Due to an illness in the family, Michelle left school aged 15 with no qualifications. She spent a number of years successfully modelling in Glasgow and then went on to work for Labatts Brewers in her home town. When the Labatts brand moved to Whitbread, Michelle chose to take redundancy. Then in November of 1996 she started her own business.

Michelle & Michael Mone with kids: Rebecca, Declan and Bethany (above)

It only took nine year, and in 2005, Michelle was presenting BBC’s Mind Your Own Business, advising business owners on what they are doing right and where they are going wrong, and offering straightforward suggestions on how to improve their businesses.

Since then Michelle has made frequent appearances on BBC’s The Apprentice as well as being a correspondent for GMTV. Ultimo and Michelle have featured in Colleen McLaughlin’s ITV show to find a Real Woman to front the Ultimo brand.

Michelle Mone has built a hugely successful career on an incredibly simple concept:  giving today’s women what they want.