The Apprentice winner Sian Gabbidon explains how she refused to let childhood racial abuse 'hold her back' By Becky Freeth for MailOnline Published: 00:08 GMT, 25 February 2019 | Updated: 00:16 GMT, 25 February 2019 Viewcomments She says she wishes there was a role model like Meghan Markle when she was growing up. But The Apprentice 2018 winner Sian Gabbidon is now hoping to inspire a generation of young girls after experiencing racial abuse in her own childhood. The 26-year-old tells HELLO! magazine this week why she 'never let it hold her back,' two months after winning a £250,000 partnership deal with Lord Sugar. The future is bright: The Apprentice winner Sian Gabbidon, here with partner Clint Gordon, discusses how a tough upbringing shaped her business accumen Sian said: 'I noticed I was often the only mixed race girl in the class, or one of very few. There were times I got racially abused but it never held me back. 'Now when I look at Meghan Markle, I think if there had been someone like her back in the day, doing what she is doing, it would have been massively inspiring. 'I like to think that hopefully there are girls like me who are looking at my story, and thinking I can achieve that, and that is something very close to my heart.' Triumph: Sian won The Apprentice two months ago, and says racial abuse in her childhood has never held her back Role model: Sian talks to HELLO! about seeing Meghan Markle as a role model Posing with partner Clint Gordon, Sian also talks to HELLO! about life after winning investment in her swimwear business, saying that Lord Sugar is one of her biggest role models. She said: 'As a role model, I have always put Lord Sugar very highly. I love how he is on the show, and I have come to love him even more since becoming his partner and working more closely with him on things.' Like Lord Sugar, the Leeds-based entrepreneur previously says she 'came from nothing and worked her way to the top.' She runs a swimwear fashion brand, with clients including celebrities and celebrity stylists. Winning team: Sian was competing against Camilla Ainsworth in the December 2018 final Sian has sold only 400 'bespoke' swimsuits in just two years trading and is now anticipating a huge expansion thanks to her new partnership. The 26-year-old triumphed over 22-year-old Camilla Ainsworth, who pitched a nut milk business. Read the full interview with Sian Gabbidon in this week's HELLO! magazine. Someone to look up to: Sian says she sees Lord Sugar as someone she can look up to Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility