The full roster of Apprentice Series 17 contestants has been revealed – from the “business Kim Kardashian” to a hunky ex-soldier.
Lord Sugar and his assistants will once again be looking for the next contractor to invest £250,000.
The full lineup of apprentices has been revealed[/caption]
Before the show returns on Thursday, here’s everything you need to know about the new batch of contestants.
Avi Sharma
Avi Sharma is the youngest candidate[/caption]
Avi is the youngest contestant on the show.
As an ‘optimistic’ entrepreneur, he believes Lord Sugar’s investment will lift him out of the urban banking ‘rat race’.
Asked about his greatest weakness, he replied: “Some say I am delirious, I prefer the term optimistic.”
Bradley Johnson
Bradley is a self-made businessman from North Yorkshire[/caption]
Bradley is a self-made construction businessman in North Yorkshire.
Proud of his determination and work ethic, in his own words, his positive attitude and approach to business is “something to be proud of”.
He said: “A lot of business people – I’m not saying everyone – inherited their business, I didn’t.
“I was made redundant in 2019 and now we’re turning over half a million, which I’m extremely proud of.”
Dani Donovan
Dani Donovan owns a hair salon in Hertfordshire[/caption]
Hertfordshire hair salon owner Dani wants to inspire future business owners.
She started her business as a teenager and now does “something she loves” for a living, showing that having a passion for what you do is the key to success in business.
She said: “My greatest weakness is also my greatest strength. Nothing is ever good enough and I always want more.
Denisha Kaur Bharj
Denisha is financial controller[/caption]
Financial Controller Denisha’s determination and work ethic allowed her to reach the peak of her potential, overcoming professional and personal challenges.
She said: “I always knew what I wanted in life. I know the dreams I want to achieve. There is only one Denisha Kaur.
Emma Brown
Emma Brown says she’s laser-focused[/caption]
Emma is always willing to go the extra mile and commit 100% to whatever she puts her hands on.
Laser focused on making her unique business idea a resounding success, Emma will “do anything to succeed”.
She said: “I’m confident that whether or not I win Lord Sugar’s investment, I’m going to make my business one of the most successful ideas to ever come out of The Apprentice. Watch this place.”
Gregory Ebs
Gregory Ebbs worked as a professional cannon shooter[/caption]
Local councilor Gregory owns an online antiques business and once worked as a professional cannon shooter.
He said: “My biggest weakness, some might call a strength in my opinion, is sometimes a bit too unusual.
Some people might think, “Why did you go to Malta to fire cannons when you could earn so much more in the City of London?”.
“But I would say the willingness to try different things and not be afraid to be slightly different is one of my biggest strengths.”
Joseph Phillips
Joseph Phillips says he’s the ‘James Bond of business’[/caption]
The “James Bond of the business world” graduated in zoology. From safari guide in South Africa to businessman.
He said: “If Lord Sugar wants to invest in a business to help save the ocean, one lip balm at a time, then I’m his man.”
Kevin D’Arcy
Kevin, from Dublin, started his watersports equipment business during lockdown, while working in his job in financial services.
He is looking to expand his business in the UK and is determined to secure Lord Sugar’s investment.
Asked about his biggest weakness, he said: “In short, I can be a little outspoken, so I probably don’t know when to shut up.”
Marc Mosley
Mark is a former soldier who has worked all over the world in remote and hostile environments, so he thinks he should be more than equipped to handle the boardroom.
As the owner of a pest control business, he believes it is a lucrative industry in which Lord Sugar can invest.
He said: “My USP is that I’m very talkative with the charm that goes with it – I can sell to anyone.
“If Lord Sugar doesn’t choose me, then a trick is missing.”
Marnie Swindells
A gold medal boxer and imaginative businesswoman, she’s ready to take on her fellow candidates in the boardroom.
She said: “I deserve Lord Sugar’s investment because I gave my blood, sweat and tears to my business.
“I think taking the experience I have in the boxing industry and all the experience he has in the business industry together we would be a winning combination.
“I fought tooth and nail to get where I am today with my business. I deserve the chance to have this investment to show him what I can do with it.
Megan Hornby
Megan, owner of a confectionery and cafe in East Yorkshire, believes she succeeded by identifying a gap in the market and addressing it.
She said: “My USP is definitely my honesty. I think no matter what situation I’m thrown into, I’ll always give the one hundred percent truth, even if it’s hard to hear.
Reece Donnelly
Eager to be the first Scottish candidate to secure Lord Sugar’s investment, Reece is the marketing-savvy owner of a performing arts school.
He said: “My USP is that I am the youngest CEO of a higher education institution in the UK.
“I started my first business at nineteen and from there I went from strength to strength, making six figures in three years and now on track to hit half a million.
“Despite my age, I have all the experience, drive and personality to build on my success in Scotland to link up with Lord Sugar and expand it across the rest of the UK.”
Rochelle Antoine
Hair salon owner Rochelle prides herself on her great intuition.
She said: “I’m always compared to the Kim Kardashian of the business world because I do business with a hint of glamour.”
Shannon Martin
Shannon, a bridal shop owner, hopes to be the first business partner to bring Lord Sugar into the lucrative wedding industry.
She said: “My biggest weakness is probably the fact that I want everything now, so I really have a hard time prioritizing.
“When I have an idea, I just want to do it right away and take everyone with me. It can cause a bit of stress because I just want it today, I have to learn to be a little more of a planner.
Shazia Hussain
Shazia, a tech recruiter, advocates for a diverse representation of diverse women in business.
She said: “My USP is my ADHD which means I can process information faster than other people. This often means my reaction time is faster and I look at things differently.
Simba Rwambiwa
Simba is more than ready to challenge the status quo of the business world and is an avowed “perfectionist”.
He said: “My USP is myself. If people can’t buy from you, they’ll never buy from you.
Sohail Chowdhary
Martial arts instructor Sohail wants other candidates to remain “suspicious”.
He said, “I am calm and serene, but if they come to me? I will bite and sting, and I will leave my mark.
Victoria Goulbourne
Former air hostess Victoria launched her online confectionery business during lockdown, which has since become a social media hit.
She said: “I’m straight forward and outspoken, but that’s because I’m passionate and know what works.”
The Apprentice begins Thursday, January 5 at 9 p.m. on BBC One.
