After twelve tough weeks, the ultimate business challenge reached its dramatic conclusion as Karishma Vijay won Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment.
In the final, Karishma faced Pascha in a task which saw both candidates develop a brand and advertising campaign for their respective business ideas. They then presented their businesses to Lord Sugar, a room of leading industry experts and some legends from the past 20 years, including Margaret Mountford, Nick Hewer, Dr Leah Totton, Ricky Martin and Dean Franklin.
Neither finalist faced the final task alone as fired candidates Rothna, Carrington, Kieran, Vanessa, Levi, Priyesh, Megan and Lawrence returned to help deliver the campaigns. Pascha and Karishma each selected their dream team and appointed their sub-team leaders for the final time.
After two strong business pitches, it all came down to the final boardroom where Pascha and Karishma both made their case directly to Lord Suar as to why they should be his next business partner. But it was ultimately Karishma who won Lord Sugar’s backing in her business and she became the 20th winner of The Apprentice.
Lord Sugar says: “As always, it was close competition in the final after two outstanding pitches by two brilliant young businesswomen. But Karishma really impressed me throughout the process and has proven why she deserves my investment. She’s a proper grafter and she’s got that entrepreneurial spirit that I always look for. The cosmetics industry is one I know a lot about, and I know our partnership will pave the way for a bright future.”
You are the winner of The Apprentice, series 20, how does it feel to be hired?
I can’t believe it. I feel like I’m going to be calling Lord Sugar every other day, saying ‘what do I do now? I don’t know what I’m doing’. Because when I was doing it by myself, I was going at my own pace. Now, there’s a bit more pressure, because I have to really convince him that he made the right decision to have picked me. I feel like I will never get over this experience. Nothing in my life will ever compare. I just got engaged – so what?!
What was the highlight for you?
The best highlight ever was Baroness Brady. Even her just saying my name out loud, but also for her to acknowledge me. She thought I was good. Apparently she never says that to anyone. None of the candidates ever get told, ‘you did good’ and for me, she said ‘Karishma you really stood out, you’re the big boss’. In what world does Baroness Brady speak about candidates like that? I feel so honoured. She backed me, she really backed me and I feel like that made Lord Sugar think, ‘wait, there must be something here for my right hand to be talking about her like this’.
What was the biggest challenge?
I was really underestimated going into the first couple of challenges. It was only in task four [the water branding task] that I really got to show people what I’m about. So I love that for me. People underestimated me until I showed them what I was capable of.
What have you learned about yourself going through this process?
I am so much more confident. I feel like I can talk to anyone now. I can sell my stuff in public. I’ve never had that exposure. Now I’ll be at exhibitions, and I’m screaming and shouting and singing. People love it. Nothing makes me nervous. If you can sit in front of Lord Sugar, Baroness Brady and Tim, and put a sentence together, you can now talk to anyone. Those people are the epitome of power and now I just feel so brave. No one scares me. Nothing intimidates me now.
What will you be doing to celebrate?
I feel like Kishkin needs its party. My brand needs to celebrate this. This is gonna put us on the map. You know, we’ve been kind of fighting against the big names in the industry to even get a seat at the table. Now, we’ve got the seat, and now we must keep it there, but we should celebrate the fact that a small brand that started in a tiny basement in a warehouse, made it to this level, and now it’s a fresh start for us.
Now doors are gonna open, that we probably never would have even knocked on. And now they’re gonna blow wide open because of Lord Sugar. It’s all about his network and his advice and his expertise. He is the blueprint of business – I feel like I’ve got the godfather of business behind my shoulder now.
How will the £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar, grow your business?
We’re going to pump so much money into marketing. I want everyone to know the brand. Not knowing me. Right now, people associate me with the brand, as the face of the brand. But I want to reverse those roles. Kishkin should be everywhere; duty free, billboards, Sephora, Harrods, Selfridges, all the big places. There should be a little Kishkin counter where all the girls can run in to buy their new skin care fix. And I just want our brand to continue to make products that work miracles on skin.
What advice would you give to any young entrepreneur wanting to make their business a success?
I really think that people get so obsessed with giving it perfection and making it really, really great immediately. But there’s a beauty in things being slightly imperfect, growing with people, being vulnerable, and saying to people, ‘okay, you know, I’m sorry this didn’t go to plan, and this is what I learned’. Let people be a part of your growth journey, ’cause the big brands have already done it, and now you’re gonna be someone new. You must convince people you’re worth believing in. So just stop trying to be perfect, polished, and be more human. People love a humanised brand. But just go for it. Don’t delay things, ’cause before you know it, your life’s gonna flash by and you haven’t done what you dreamt about when you’re younger. Don’t wait to you’re ready.
ant.fragnito@fremantle.com / naomi.hicks@fremantle.com
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