Staying on in your business

Lara set up Pacific Direct in 1991, aged just 23. She built a global business manufacturing and supplying miniature toiletries and other necessities to the hospitality and tourism trade. London’s Dorchester Hotel provided the young entrepreneur with her first order for travel-sized sewing kits. The company has established a niche by putting licensed luxury brands like Elemis, Penhaligon’s and The White Company in hotel rooms worldwide. Lara exited Pacific Direct after 17 years at the helm, selling her 99% stake in the business for £20m. Lara is also a Board Director for E2Exchange: Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur Exchange.

This interview was originally recorded by UBS in 2015 with the help of E2Exchange, the entrepreneur network.