Asia's Best Younger Entrepreneur 2009

Eriko Yamaguchi
Japan
Age: 27
Company: Mother House Co.

While studying at graduate school in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Yamaguchi realized that even small children were forced to work for a pittance. Eventually she returned home with 160 jute bags made by local people from her own design. These bags, at $80 each, quickly sold out, and Yamaguchi decided to launch Mother House. Nowadays she has five directly managed stores in Tokyo and Fukuoka and also sells at some major department stores. Sales have gone up to more than $2 million from $30,000 a year ago. Yet Yamaguchi doesn't plan to settle down; she is now in Nepal to start a new business.