Founder of Newport-based JoJo Maman Bébé, Laura Tenison is giving hands-on advice to an up-and-coming young entrepreneur, 26-year-old James Taylor of SportStars.

James, who recently won the Natwest Startups Business of the Year impressed Laura with his entrepreneurial spirit and his determined drive to establish a community focussed but profitable business. Laura was a judge at the 2007 Startups Awards, supported by the Department of Trade and Industry.

She said: "Budding entrepreneurs in Wales should look to James as their inspiration. He has shown that age and experience do not matter when setting up a business. Determination, enthusiasm and hard work are the key factors.

"We definitely need more people like James and his dedicated team to create a more energetic enterprise culture within the Welsh business community and to confirm Wales as a major hotspot for entrepreneurship."

SportStars - a company which offers sports coaching for four to 12-year-olds - was set up by Cardiff University child psychology graduate, James Taylor in September 2005, with £1,000 given to him by his parents for an around-the-world travel ticket.

Laura, whose company has opened 22 new stores in the past three years in addition to expanding her manufacturing and mail order business, will work with SportStars by giving them business advice and direction for its long-term future.