The term ‘entrepreneur’ was once regarded as a dirty word in respectable corporate circles. To many, it represented a sort of seediness that could only be found in the offices of small-time opportunists, private casinos or speakeasies.

Today, it embodies the very essence of success. The personal exploits of individuals such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Richard Brandson and Mark Zuckerberg have been etched into our collective psyche. They are public heroes in a world awash with men and women hungry for public recognition and financial freedom.