Pete Williams

In only seven years Pete Williams has sunk his fingers into a wide range of pies. His Preneur Group includes a nationwide telecommunications equipment seller (Infiniti Telecommunications), a message-on-hold provider (On Hold Advertising) and a boutique marketing consulting company (Preneur Marketing).

Then there is also a clutch of web-based business such as telephone headset seller SimplyHeadsets.com.au and OwnTheG.com.au, a site that is selling 400 pieces of Melbourne Cricket Club crested carpet.

The group now employs 21 people and is heading towards revenue of $3.1 million.

Williams started his business to give himself choices, as well as to be a breeding ground for ideas.

"I've always been a passionate entrepreneur and just like coming up with ideas to see if they work," he says.

Williams, who once did costume appearances as the Paddle Pop Lion, is also the author of the book How to turn your million dollar idea into a reality, and was named as a global runner up in the JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in November 2009.