Ex-Apprentice (Series 3) Candidate turns Internet Entrepreneur

Early last year, Wales-based Dr Sophie Kain heard the immortal words “You're Fired” from Sir Alan Sugar on “The Apprentice” but instead of returning to her old job as a research scientist she has put what she has learnt from Sir Alan Sugar to use by setting up her own Internet business.

On the show Dr Sophie Kain was labelled as the “girl geek”, as she has a PhD in Quantum Physics, and was fired in week four for being too socially responsible to force lollipops on young families.

The new internet community that Sophie has set up is entitled “Toast and Trash” (www.toastandtrash.com) which provides a service that allows people to comment openly on absolutely any product or service that they have encountered, join specialist groups, invite friends, ask friends' opinions on products or services, locate local services, etc.

Sophie believes that Toast and Trash, which is free to the user, will help people to really understand what they are buying rather than being coerced by advertising.

Sophie is now available for radio and TV appearances on the below or related subjects:

• The Social Networking Phenomenon: What is the long term impact of the proliferation of social networking sites? Is networking with strangers a good or a bad thing?

• Social Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics: Is “The Apprentice” a fair and responsible reflection of good business practice or should we consider the wider impact of our businesses? How carefully do we need to consider environmental issues, staff conditions, large profit margins at a cost to the consumer?

• Social Consumerism: It is time to open our eyes to what type of industry we are buying into when we buy a product? For example, is it OK to change our wardrobe every year for fashions that will become next year's landfill?

• Women in Science or Business: Why are there still fewer than 10% women in scientific professions and why are only 25% of new businesses in the UK set up by women? Is it possible to decrease this discrepancy? Is it ever OK to positively discriminate?

• “The Apprentice” - An Insider's View: What is Sir Alan Sugar like? Who should have won? What were the other candidates like? What did she learn from the experience?

• Entrepreneurship in the UK: Why are we so risk averse as a nation? Why and how does America develop the necessary attributes for entrepreneurship in individuals but we in the UK don't? Is there a lack of government incentives for small businesses, especially with the new capital gains taxation increase? Is our education system sufficiently encouraging young people to set up their own businesses?

If you would like to know more, log on to Sophie's website www.sugarkain.co.uk or contact her directly on 07855 754420.