Dragons - Shaf Rasul

Edinburgh based Shaf has made his millions in property and computers. His E-net Computers business is worth £35m. Interests in Dubai and property take him to £82m.

In 1999, 37 year old Shaf formed E-Net Computers. Now his company has become Europe's largest distributor of memory devices and the world's biggest buyer of DVD and CDR Media.

Shaf was shortlisted for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and has amassed a personal fortune making him the richest Asian north of the border and the 27th wealthiest in Britain.

E-net Computers has long standing partnerships with the world's top optical media manufacturers and has recently opened a global import/export hub in duty-free Dubai as well as a new £5m distribution centre at Edinburgh airport. E-net distribute storage brands and sell to webstores and to large distributors supplying the high street.

Already a multinational operation, he has his sights now set on the American market. Shaf set up e-Net in 1999, on the back of his various property interests in Edinburgh.

In 2004-05, E-Net made £4.5m profit on £67.2m sales. With his property interests, other high tech operations, and his Dubai interests, Shaf was valued at £48m on the Sunday Times Rich List in 2009.

Name: Shaf Rasul

Age: I think I could get away with 34!

Family: Son - Sohaib and Daughter - Sarah

Pets: Invested in an exotic fish business once - does that count?

Describe yourself: Fun, sharp, dynamic, innovative, creative, original and a complete workaholic.

Estimated wealth: Enough to justify buying a new Aston Martin every year

Vehicles owned: There's only one car worth driving - an Aston Martin

Property owned: I have developed a significant residential and commercial property portfolio

Most outrageous purchase: I bought a shirt for £1500 once

One thing I always spend the extra on: Shoes, cars and children

Best job I've had: I'm doing it

Worst job I've had: I worked for a legal firm as my first job but I quit after two hours

The one thing I look for in employees: Initiative and enthusiasm

Favourite film: Gladiator

Favourite holiday destination: Dubai

Things that interest me: Talented people with bright and creative business ideas

I'd never invest in: An entrepreneur that didn't have the spark and drive to use my support to make a success of their business.

Best advice offered: Listen to peoples advice, even if you don’t take it. That way you only have your self to blame.

People you admire: My father is my inspiration - but he always asks when I'm going to grow up and get a real job.

Your motto would be: If bad things don't happen how will you know to appreciate the good things that come along afterwards.

For impressing in an interview / pitch

You have to know your product inside out and have figures and projections at your fingertips. It is also crucial that you research the investors and have an awareness of their areas of expertise - never write-off a potential investor.

For running your own business

You have to be bright, creative, reactive and alert to opportunities that will allow you to grow your business into new markets.

For surviving the recession

I strongly believe that there are opportunities amidst the current economic conditions if you fully believe in your product and are prepared to put in the hard work and dedication required to make a success of your business. It is also crucial that you listen to peoples advice, even if you don't take it.

For getting your product to market

When you have a product idea it’s crucial that you do proper market research. Go down to your local high street or shopping centre and ask 100 people what they think of your product as this will give you an honest and reliable assessment on the demand for your product. You then have to be prepared to keep knocking on the right doors again and again in order to develop partnerships that will help take your product market.

For winning investment

The first thing I look at is whether I can work with the person. The second thing is the figures. If the personality is right and the numbers stack up then it is a goer.

For making millions

Some people say that to be successful you have to be lucky but I don’t buy into that. With hard work comes success, you also have to develop an experienced and reliable team around you that will support you and the continued growth of your business.