Apprentice winner Joseph Valente ‘fired Lord Sugar’ but got ‘richer’

Former Apprentice winner Joseph Valente has explained how ‘firing Lord Sugar’ made him end up even ‘richer.’

The Italian entrepreneur, 35, impressed the business tycoon with his business plan of franchising his plumbing company in 2015, receiving a £250,000 investment. 

But when the partners ‘clashed’ over how to run the business, Joseph and Lord Sugar parted ways, two years after the programme finished. 

Despite regaining control of his company, the firm landed in £2million of debt, prompting a mocking comment from the media personality. 

Reflecting on his road to success, with his new mentoring empire now worth £10million, Joseph explained how the ridicule only spurred him on. 

Former Apprentice winner Joseph Valente, 35, has explained how ‘firing Lord Sugar’ made him end up even ‘richer’

The Italian entrepreneur impressed the business tycoon with his business plan of franchising his plumbing company in 2015, receiving a £250,000 investment

Speaking in an interview with The Sun, he explained how a ‘massive telling off’ from Lord Sugar about the company’s social media drove a wedge between them. 

Joseph began: ‘I was the first apprentice to buy Lord Sugar out and break up the relationship. I told him face to face.’ 

In 2020, it was revealed he had sold the plumbing firm, he set up with Lord Sugar and it owed almost £2million. 

Creditors hit out at the owner, who they claimed must have known ImpraGas was in trouble, as reported by the Daily Mirror. 

While he struggled with ‘severe depression’ Joseph told of how he ‘dreaded getting up’ and was met with a slew of negative comments on social media. 

He continued: ‘What sparked me into action was Lord Sugar. He shared one of the articles, “Joseph’s Gas Firm Blown”, and retweeted it saying, “You can’t win them all.” That hit me deep.’ 

Using his anger to ‘fight back’ and ‘prove a point,’ the entrepreneur set up Trade Mastermind, to help plumbers, builders, electricians and carpenters grow their businesses through one-on-one online coaching. 

After lockdown hit, business started booming for Joseph, who says his company is now worth £10million. 

Despite regaining control of his company, the firm landed in £2million of debt , prompting a mocking comment from the media personality

Reflecting on his road to success, with his new mentoring empire now worth £10million, Joseph explained how the ridicule only spurred him on

Speaking in an interview with The Sun , he explained how a ‘massive telling off’ from Lord Sugar about the company’s social media drove a wedge between them (Joseph centre on The Apprentice)

‘I started selling online training courses and doing virtual seminars. I went from losing it all to within three months doing £100,000 a month in sales from my apartment,’ he added. 

In 2020, after it was reported ImpraGas was in £2million of debt, Joseph told MailOnline: ‘ImpraGas was sold in Jan 2020 to REL Capital we did not go bust. 

‘We faced a challenging economic climate and decided to sell the brand, assets and intellectual property all staff 70 plus staff and many contractors kept their jobs. Customer warranties were taken on by the new owners and we created a newco that the creditors could continue to trade with which they did. 

‘VBH Assests is a ltd company that was put into voluntary liquidation and yes it did owe creditors money but to secure the best possible future for the new business it was our only option. 

‘We build the largest independent boiler installation business in the UK in just a few years winning and beating British Gas to national installer of the year in 2019. What we achieved was incredible and our success’s should no be overlooked.’