Entrepreneurs - James T

James has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and boundless enthusiasm for business. As a kid he was always running money-making schemes from jumble sales to selling designer clothes.

After school he spent a gap year in Uganda working at a boarding school. As the children had free time in the afternoon James set up sports and arts clubs. This was a 'light bulb moment' for James, as he realised that providing fun, educational experiences for children was an area he would like to work in and create a business around.

He went home to study for a degree in psychology and teacher training at Cardiff University, but in his third year decided he wanted to focus on developing his own business.

He went on a number of business courses and took a role as sports coach at LA Galaxy, and with that experience went on to start his company Sport Stars.

With only £1,000 of savings, James started running sports coaching courses in the holidays. At that point, the government decided that primary teachers should spend 10% of their time away from the classroom and James saw a golden opportunity to provide his coaching sessions to schools to fill the timetable gaps.

Launched in 2005, James's company provides specialist coaches for schools teaching drama and sport, encouraging self esteem, fitness and motivation amongst 4-12 year olds.

He works with over 50 schools across England and Wales and hopes to expand Sport Stars throughout the rest of UK and into Europe. He says 'I think big and dream big.'

At Sport Stars, weekly meetings begin with a ball game in the car park, followed by a high energy round up with lots of 'high fives', positive news and laughter.

James doesn't tolerate negativity and truly believes there's no point in being successful if you don't give back. His motto is 'winners never quit and quitters never win.'

James refuses to live an average life and believes this is the secret to success. In 2006 James became winner of the Welsh Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year and is on the Welsh assembly Government Dynamo Role Model scheme which involves touring Wales giving motivational speeches to young people. He's also in training for an Iron Man competition.