By 
A London entrepreneur who started up an innovative gold plating business whilst living in his friend’s living room, won Real Life Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) awards last night (27 June 2013).
Laban Roomes, founder of luxury customisation business Goldgenie, was chosen by a panel of judges from the FSB to win the prestigious award at the event which was held at the Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden.
At the time the award was announced Laban, 43, was on a flight to America to attend his grandmother’s 100th birthday party. He had asked his mentee Duval Middleton to attend the event on his behalf.
Laban explained: “I had just landed in Miami and I was still on the aeroplane when I turned my phone on to see a message from Duval with a photo of the certificate and award. I had to call him straight away to make sure it was true – I was over the moon!
“This country is home to so many inspiring and remarkable entrepreneurs and I am truly honoured to receive the award for Real Life Entrepreneur of the Year. I am a firm believer of entrepreneurship and starting a business with what you have, which in my mind comprises of your zeal, passion and creative flair to succeed.
“I have had some tremendous success over the years, but I’ve also hit rock bottom and know what it’s like to have lost everything. Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Laban, who grew up in Waltham Forest and now lives in Enfield, founded Goldgenie in 1996 when he developed a portable gold plating device. He started out gold plating items including car emblems and jewellery from the portable machine which he carried on his back. As the business grew, he was asked to gold plate 55 mobile phones for Emmy Award winners including Denzel Washsington and Helen Mirren which he did from a tent in his back garden.
In 2007 he won investment from James Caan on BBC Dragon’s Den and developed the business, offering International Master Franchises and Business Opportunities as well as an extended luxury product range with the introduction of iPhones and iPads which Laban and his team embellish with Swarovski crystals and gold, rose gold and platinum.
Goldgenie’s exclusive products soon made it on to the shelves at Harrods and Selfridges and a number of celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham, Simon Cowell and Elton John had their very own Goldgenie gold plated BlackBerries and iPhones. Goldgenie were also asked to produce limited edition ranges for charities including Elton John’s AIDS foundation.
Like James Caan once helped him, Laban now invests his time and money in aspiring entrepreneurs to “give something back” to the business community.
He said: “Being an entrepreneur in this current financial climate can be tough, especially for those just starting out. Starting up your own business can be daunting but with the right training, support and coaching it is very achievable.
“As an established business person, it’s important to me that I give something back to the business world and help up and coming entrepreneurs.”
Earlier this year Laban was asked to join Lord Green, Minister of State for Trade & Investment, to open and speak at the opening of youth business hub Barnet Youth Business Incubator (BaYBI) to inspire and encourage young entrepreneurs.
Laban has also sold over 100 ‘Business Opportunities’ which enables aspiring entrepreneurs to set up their very own gold plating business from home. For more information on the range of luxury Goldgenie products, or their international master franchise or business opportunities, please visit www.goldgenie.com or call the team on 0845 463 8973.
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