Madventurer started when the Chief, John Lawler, set out on his gap year to teach in a small village in Ghana, West Africa.

His experience had a big impact both on him and on the villagers, who enstooled John a Chief (Togbe Mottey I) for his contributions in help setting up a Secondary School in the village. He decided that he wanted other people to have an amazing experience like his, so the next year he went back to Ghana with a group of friends who all worked together to build a school and to teach the children subjects in their curriculum. Before going home, the group then set off in an overland vehicle in an attempt to reach the mystical Timbuktu…and Madventurer had begun!

John is now joined by his wife Elaine whom the villagers recently enstooled as their Queen (Mama Ama Wu Sika) in all things that are Mad! John pioneers new projects and adventures around the world and Elaine helps run the Mad Foundation registered charity in order to further assist our Madventurers’ work.

Madventurer has developed the business to include a gap year experience for the over 50’s and continues to expand into new areas a voluntary opportunity with adventure that benefit communities and makes a difference to individual lives.

With ten years experience in racing and maintaining his own motorbikes, Shawn spotted a demand for his expertise and knowledge, and in May 2000 he decided to bring his talent to a wider market and STR Service Centre and Shawn Taylor Racing began trading. In the 13 months leading to his place in the 2001 final, the business had grown rapidly to provide general servicing for cars and motorbikes, supply performance parts and race accessories, and provide a full race preparation service for cars, motorbikes and go-karts.

STR Service Centre provides a professional service from a team of fully qualified engineers, and customers are attracted by Shawn's vast knowledge and experience of the motor industry and racing world. As a stunt rider for Honda and driving training instructor for Lotus, Shawn's passion for the racing world is evident, and by competing in the 2001 Shell LiveWIRE UK final, he hoped improve the reputation of the motor industry amongst the general public.

When Marc Day launched his business “Swapgame.com Ltd” in July 2002 to provide unlimited games rentals over the Internet, there was nothing else like it in the UK. For a monthly subscription of £14.99, customers can have a variety of games for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or Gamecube, delivered free of charge to their door the following day. Swapgame.com is unique as there are no return dates for the games, therefore no penalty fees for late returns, or any additional charges to the subscription price. The website has secure credit or debit card payment facilities and operates a 3-strike policy to ensure all games are eventually returned in perfect condition, or the customer will be charged the full retail price for a replacement. The business has currently teamed up with various online companies such as the internet service provider Tiscali, who have taken on Swapgame.com as their exclusive games rental partner. So far, the business has attracted around 1,000 subscribers to the site.

After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, Marc joined the Internet sales department of a large communications company, before following his lifelong dream of starting a business. In the future, he hopes to link his business to lifestyle and student portals as well as employing more staff to keep pace with demand. Eventually Marc would like to make Swapgame.com the largest internet games rental service in Europe.

This business has evolved since its inception. Starting as a manufacturer of porcelain buttons; it then diversified into porcelain jewellery and the organisation of retail shows as a way to sell the product. The shows soon developed on such a scale that it was a natural shift to move into the event management of craft shows and The Craft Village at St George’s Market was born which has now grown to be a major event filled to capacity. Last year Flair at The King’s Hall was launched which took craft shows to a completely new level in terms of quality.

Having established the business, this entrepreneur is moving to pastures new; selling on the event company and retraining in Garden Design. This new venture is in its first stages of growth but is already blossoming.

Turning a passion for surfing into a thriving enterprise has ensured this business is riding on the crest of a wave. After spending 8 months surfing in Australia Simon began shaping surfboards in his mum's garage in Nottingham. Having spotted a gap in the Welsh market, and in order to fulfil his dream of becoming his own boss, Simon set up "SNS" and enjoys the balance of work and an outdoor lifestyle.

"Simon Noble Surfboards" (SNS) creates custom and off the rack surfboards which are individually shaped to his own designs. He also offers professional board repair, surfboard starter kits, and weekend shaping courses. Simon's boards retail from £240 for a short board to £500, and all boards are designed for the UK surf, with unique features such as a specially designed channel system and the rare 'Diamond Tail.' As surfing is becoming a popular national sport, Simon is attracting clients from all over the UK to purchase one of his unique, high quality surfboards. The boards are normally finished within two to four weeks, however customers can participate in his weekend shaping courses, and leave with their own customised surfboard, or try shaping their own board by purchasing a starter shaping kit. As well as sponsoring surfing competitions and local surfers, Simon also teaches shaping to underprivileged children as part of a joint venture with local Youth Services.

In the future, Simon plans to break into the Irish market, expand his premises and develop his own fin system. Eventually, Simon hopes that "SNS" will become an established name in surfing throughout the UK.