A SUCCESSFUL young businessman helped launch a specialist networking initiative for ethnic entrepreneurs.

Ilyas Musa, aged 27, started Inex Styling from scratch three years ago and has seen the annual turnover rise to £750,000. He hopes to quadruple it in the next two years.

The former Deane School pupil has carved out a world-wide niche, selling vehicle customising products and accessories such as alloy wheels and boot spoilers.

He is now planning a move from the Bolton Enterprise Centre in Washington Street, Deane, and looking for a new retail/distribution site which would create about 25 jobs.

Ilyas, who began his working life on a YTS motor mechanic scheme, told his story to young men between the ages of 18 and 30 who have taken part in Bolton Council's Ethnic Minority Enterprise Youth Initiative.

This scheme, run by the Ethnic Minority Business Service, has turned young people with little work experience into entrepreneurs.

New businesses include fast food, office furniture manufacture and telecommunications services.

Ilyas, Bolton South East MP Brian Iddon and Cllr Rosa Kay (Human Resources and Equal Opportunity Cabinet Member) were on hand at the Enterprise Centre for the first of a series of regular networking events designed to allow participants to pick-up tips, ideas and contracts from each other.

Ilyas explained how he moved on from the YTS scheme to retail and became a sales representative for a company which dealt in car styling parts.

After about 18 months he identified a niche market and set out to be his own boss in the face of various difficulties, including the attitude of high street banks.

"They were not very helpful, to be honest," he said.

But later, with the help of the Ethnic Minority Business Service, he successfully submitted a business plan to the Prince's Youth Business Trust and received a £3,000 start-up grant to add to his savings of £4,000.

He was then on his way with the help of £60 a week from the Headstart programme.

The business sells all round the globe with the help of an internet site which offers on-line security for e-commerce.

He said the company's catalogue had been promoted at an exhibition in the NEC, Birmingham, and he planned to attend another in Germany next March. His simple message to others following the same business route was: "You have to have hunger and the will to succeed."

Ilyas was in the news in May, 1999, when Inex Styling was runner-up in the Success Through E-Business category of the Bolton and Bury Business Awards.

Would-be ethnic minority entrepreneurs (aged between 18 and 30) are asked to contact Farook Atcha on 01204 336152.