- Conference Speakers
Topics:
- Business
- Entrepreneurs/Innovation
- Leadership
- Women In The World
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Michelle Mone
MICHELLE MONE grew up in the East End of Glasgow. At the age of 10 she decided she wanted to become an entrepreneur, so she recruited 12 teenagers to deliver hot rolls in the morning along with the newspapers. Michelle left school at the age of 15 with no qualifications, as she needed to support her mum and dad. Her father had been struck down with an illness that confined him to a wheelchair and sadly her small brother had passed away.
At just 15 years of age, Michelle was too young to find full-time employment so at 5ft10” tall she got a job as a fashion model. At the age of 20 Michelle got married and gave birth to her first child Rebecca. She then decided that she wanted to gain some business experience, so she took a job with Labatt’s Beer Company as an office junior. By the age of 22, Michelle was running Labatt’s Scottish Sales & Marketing team.
The Birth of the Ultimo Bra
In October 1996, Michelle went to a dinner dance with Michael wearing a very uncomfortable cleavage enhancing bra. This was when Michelle decided that she could invent a bra that was more comfortable, better looking, and would create more cleavage. MJM International Ltd was set up in November 1996. Michelle took nearly three years to invent the Ultimo Bra, testing many different samples. The Ultimo bra is now patented worldwide.
In August 1999 Michelle launched the Ultimo in Selfridges, London. This is still known as the biggest bra launch ever in the UK. In May 2000 saw Ultimo launching in the exclusive Saks Fifth Avenue store in New York. Saks had an incredible 6 week waiting list for the Ultimo bra.
From 1997 onwards Michelle and Ultimo began to win a host of awards, including Business Start Up of the Year 1997 and In April 2000, at a ceremony in the Epcot Centre, Florida, Michelle won the coveted “World Young Business Achiever Award” beating off top entrepreneurs from 14 countries. In October of the same year, Michelle won “Business Woman of the Year” at the Corporate Elite Awards.
Television Personality
Michelle appeared in a BBC documentary, filmed over a two year period, covering all aspects of her business and home life. The programme has been aired not only in the UK, but also Worldwide. Michelle has also appeared extensively on TV, presenting on business & fashion issues. Ultimo is worn by famous celebrities, TV personalities & pop stars all over the world!
Princes Trust
In 2001 Prince Charles asked Michelle to join his Board of Directors for the Princes Trust Scotland. Michelle gives up approximately two days a month talking to schools, start-ups etc to encourage potential entrepreneurs and especially woman to succeed in business, even when you have a family to bring up.
Top Woman Entrepreneur
In May 2003, Management Today voted Michelle as one of the top 30 woman entrepreneurs in the UK. Michelle was listed alongside the likes of Martha Lane Fox and Stella McCartney.
MJM International
MJM International Ltd has grown from one brand in January 2004 to seven brands – Ultimo Lingerie, Ultimo Swimwear, Michelle for George, Warners, Young Attitude, Nancy Ganz, and Staykups
Michelle has achieved a remarkable level of success to date, juggling the demands of her business, together with bringing up 3 young children, but in her words "she doesn’t think she has made it yet!"
