Pigsback. com is targeting one million UK members and break-even in 2008, but the steelynerved chief exec and career marketer faced his share of tough times in recent years. Where did he get his inspiration?

"Enterprise was always a strong value in our family.

That started off when we were young, taught to respect and admire people who succeeded in enterprise . . . and respecting their right to the fruits of that enterprise.

"My father, at the ripe old age of 50, decided to leave the civil service and set up his own business. He talked about the pain of enterprise . . . the first few years in any new business situation that are genuinely painful for most people, but through which most people come. And they get to reap the rewards. He certainly encouraged the entrepreneurial values in the family."

Michael Dwyer is chief executive of Empathy Marketing (Pigsback. com)