Aidan Sunter and Neil O'Boyle launched the venture just over a year ago by opening their first franchised O2 mobile phone store in King Street, South Shields.

Since then their company, Aspirational Investments, has gone from strength to strength, opening outlets in Seaham, Blyth and, most recently, Ashington.

It now employs 34 staff in its four stores.

The company has been supported by the South Tyneside Means Business mentoring project, a programme delivered by partner organisation Tedco.

After being approached for guidance on staff training and development, Tedco business adviser Shelagh Barton suggested company directors Mr Sunter and Mr O'Boyle meet Gordon Hanna, Tedco's senior mentoring and network champion.

After hearing their plans for expansion, he felt they could benefit from collaborating with a mentor and suggested David Baxter, director of South Shields Printing.com.

Mr Baxter has worked closely with the pair to help them devise structures to ensure all their employees are given training and career development support.

Mr Sunter said: "We are extremely grateful to David for the invaluable support and encouragement he has shown Neil and me over the past few months.

"While we were always clear in our own minds what we wanted to achieve in terms of staff training and development, David helped give our plans clarity, and we really benefited from his wealth of training experience.

"It has always been of paramount importance to us that our employees feel valued when they come to work.

"As a result of the mentor project, we have taken the decision to employ a full-time training and development manager, who will ensure that our staff receive all the coaching and support they need."

Mr Baxter said: "I was delighted to participate in the mentor project.

"Both Aidan and Neil have strong sales backgrounds and a wealth of experience in managing people, but I think they really benefited from using me as a sounding board and as someone able to add content and structure to their training ideas.

"Before setting up South Shields Printing.com, I had more than 20 years' experience of developing and delivering staff training, and I was happy to share my knowledge and experience with them.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed the whole process, and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future."

Mr Hanna said: "This is a great example of how the mentor project has worked for a business whose roots lie in South Tyneside.

"Aidan and Neil are a true success story. Over the course of 15 months, they have built up an impressive business portfolio and are now looking to expand even further.

"We are so pleased they have found the mentor process worthwhile, and we would encourage any other business which feels it could benefit from working in this way to get in touch."