You’re filed! Apprentice winner Tom pays a visit
Apprentice winner Tom Pellereau at Mistrys Pharmacy with his invention. 22/05/12
THE WINNER of last year’s Apprentice visited Harborough to show off his s-shaped nail file invention.
Tom Pellereau, who took the 2011 crown after impressing Lord Sugar during the gruelling 12-week job interview, was in Mistrys Pharmacy on Tuesday afternoon (May 22).
The businessman with a flair for invention was there to show off his Stylfile Collection, which he has dveloped with Lord Sugar under a joint business venture which was his prize for winning the show.
The shop was buzzing with activity as shoppers visited to chat and get photos with Tom as well as buy packs of the files autographed by their inventor.
Tom told the Mail: “Everyone who knew I was coming to Harborough said it was a beautiful place and it really is.
“We’ve had lots of photos and I’ve signed Stylfiles and the team at Mistrys have done a fantastic job with the displays.”
Tom is the first Apprentice to have won the prize of going into business with Lord Sugar, which came with a £250,000 investment in a joint venture - Aventom.
The nail file range comes in three styles: the S-File, which has two different abrasive styles; the S-Buffer, used to polish nails; and the smaller Emergency File for travelling, which has a protective covering to prevent it scratching other items while being carried in a handbag.
Lord Sugar was very hands-on throughout the design process, explained Tom, even advising on the colour of the nail files and the type of materials to be used.
“He’s all about the consumer,” said Tom, who revealed he is based in the same office as Lord Sugar, “he knows what the customer wants.
“The Apprentice was a gruelling process, there’s no doubt about it. But I really started to enjoy it because you get into it and you’re given all these amazing resources.
“Lord Sugar is very much as he is on the programme, but the one thing that doesn’t come across is how loyal he is when you’re on his team.”
Owner of Mistrys Shanti Mistry secured Tom’s visit to Harborough after putting in a large order for the nail files.
“We’ve had good support for this from the media and I think it has shown that new products shouldn’t always be demonstrated by the big boys,” said Mr Mistry,
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Weather for Market Harborough
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
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Wind direction: North
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