A former chocolatier, singer and model who now runs her own company is appealing for community support in a national competition.

Maria-Lola Edun, of Harrow View, Harrow, is hoping to win over Harrow business owners as she attempts to go from ‘Pitch to Rich’ as part of Richard Branson’s national campaign.

The entrepreneur – who has gone from owning a chocolate shop to creating an online bartering platform for start up businesses – is urging people to vote for her.

She said: “It is important to vote for your own community and people, so if you live in Harrow like I do, please vote for me.

“I can’t do it without all the support from people in the borough, and winning this competition would make me one step closer to helping businesses everywhere get their chance for success.”

Her company, Barter Entrepreneur, kicked off with more than 300 registered users in its first three months and she says it has kept growing ever since.

She said: “People need to be aware there is another way to get your business off the ground, and I want to help with that.

“This competition is a way to give my business and many start up businesses a voice.”

A huge Richard Branson fan who once make a chocolate version of the Virgin Media Business logo, Miss Edun hopes her dedication and enthusiasm will see her through to the final.

Despite not having a background in business, having previously been a singer and a model, she says her father inspired her to try her hand at anything she felt passionate about.

She said: “My inspiration came from my dad, who was a medical doctor but was never afraid to try new things and I think he passed on that spirit to me.”

To vote for Barter Entrepreneur, visit www.virginmediabusiness.co.uk/pitch-to-rich/start-up/barterentrepreneurcom/