Far-flung boss tests her mettle on show; Tea bar owner's TV challenge.

Byline: BY LIZA WILLIAMS Daily Post Staff

A LIVERPOOL businesswoman will be testing her entrepreneurial skills in a prime time TV show starting tonight.

Natalie Haywood, 26, who runs Leaf Tea Shop and Bar on Parliament Street, is one of 12 contestants taking part in the Last Millionaire, which begins on BBC3 at 9pm.

The entrepreneurs will be placed in various cities around the world without access to their business contacts, cash or the luxury lifestyles to which many have become accustomed.

The first person to leave the show wins, in a reversal to other reality TV shows.

The former Belvedere pupil says the show, filmed during the summer, was the toughest experience of her life, but also the most rewarding.

She studied business and marketing at Lancaster University and began her career with Korova Corporation, promoting venues such as Alma de Cuba and Baby Cream.

But before this role she had already set up her own music company, Soundmob. Last month she opened Leaf Tea Shop and Bar, which aims to be a hub for creative types looking for good live music by night and a relaxed cafe by day.

She said: "It was one of those life changing experiences - a massive learning curve and so tough.

"I met some amazing people and it has really helped my business outlook.

"The other contestants were of varying ages, some had already made their millions and some of us were up-and-coming - I was one of the youngest.

"It was such a pressure-cooker environment, we were working 20 hours a day, doing a month's worth of work in four days.

"We were in foreign countries, most of the time not speaking the language, with none of the help you would get at home.

"It made you realise that if you could succeed out there, anything was possible back home."

But despite the stress, Ms Haywood said she made some real friends: "We all got on really well.

"I was worried it might be a bit like The Apprentice with lots of competing personalities but one of the other contestants, Lucy, is now one of my best mates.

"I learnt so much from the others too, and we had a lot in common.

"It was probably the best experience of my life, it sounds crazy but I would do it all over again."

There are many events coming up at LEAF Tea Shop and Bar over the next few weeks. On November 20 at 8pm the venue has its launch party, the next night sees ARCHIVE with a fivehour DJ set by Theo Parrish, and on December 1 the venue holds its first tea masterclass at 6.30pm.

For more information contact [phone].

THE Daily Post has two tickets for the bar's launch party up for grabs. Email [e-mail] to enter. The winner will be picked at random.

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CAPTION(S):

Natalie Haywood, founder of the Leaf Tea shop and bar, Parliament Street, Liverpool Picture: JASON ROBERTS/jr231008leaftea-2