Last week I spoke to a convention of Avon sales representatives about being an “accidental” business person. The theme seemed to resonate. Many in the predominantly female audience were achieving business objectives without having ever really considered themselves to be “in business”.

A combined 30 years of media and marketing experience can bring two people to an interesting point, but a kitchen table may not be the first place that springs to mind. That is, however, exactly where internet entrepreneurs Sophie Cornish (left) and Holly Tucker (right) found themselves just five short years ago and also where the concept of high-growth business notonthehighstreet.com was born.

Hot on the heels of launching its NearLondon city browser beta in December 2009, UK-based tech start-up Near™ is applying its 3D discovery technology to a new vertical, the world of property development.

In parallel with the development of the NearLondon consumer application, which allows users to browse and shop in a virtual West End, Near has launched a new service for commercial property visualisation, planning and marketing.