The business plan of St Albans’ Luisa Zissman impressed Alan Sugar enough to earn her a place in the final of this year’s The Apprentice.

The owner of Dixie’s Cupcakery in Market Place will now go head to head with Doctor Leah Totton in the final challenge.

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In last night’s show Luisa revealed her business plan, which will have an investment of £250,000 from Lord Sugar if she wins the competition.

The mother-of-one wants to set up a new baking brand selling items such as cake tins, glitters and sprinkles.

The programme saw four of Lord Sugar’s advisers check each of the candidates’ backgrounds and scrutinise their business plans and CVs.

Lord Sugar’s former aide on the BBC One show, Margaret Mountford, returned to the programme in last night’s episode to interview the candidates.

When she spoke to Luisa, she mentioned her "I’ve got a brain like Einstein" comment that hit the headlines at the start of the competition.

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Margaret went on to highlight that Luisa only managed to gain a C, D and E at AS Level.

She also criticised the tongue in cheek remarks in her application.

She said: "Do you think it is sensible to put tongue in cheek comments when you are applying in view of someone making a quarter of a million pound investment."

To this, Luisa replied: "I don’t think there is anything wrong with having a bit of personality in business."

Claudine Collins, who runs one of the world’s leading media agencies, wasted no time in grilling Luisa about her people skills in tasks throughout the competition.

She said: "People have said that you’re manipulative. Your husband even said you can be very stubborn.

"I have asked people and the one thing that did come out was the manipulation, the game playing and the unprofessional."

However Luisa fired back: "I’m not unprofessional. I have a big personality.

"I feel like I changed throughout this process through the criticism I have got."

However some of the interviewers seemed more impressed by Luisa’s ideas.

Claude Littner, Lord Sugar’s former global troubleshooter, said: "It would appear that you have got some successful businesses.

"So why change your life? You’ve got it made."

Luisa replied: "Because I want more."

Mike Soutar, described as a pioneer of the free magazine industry, pointed out several flaws in Luisa’s business plan, but seemed overall impressed with the concept.

He said: "Your business plan is half baked.

"I think you’re crazy.

"You have experience of this marketplace, you’ve got really good examples of how this works but you haven’t mentioned them in your business plan."

After all the interviews were complete the interviewers were called to Lord Sugar’s boardroom to discuss the candidates and their businesses.

When discussing Luisa, Lord Sugar said: "She has been a handful in the last 10 weeks but she has pulled in some results."

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Ms Collins said: "She is very streetwise and she is very bright.

"I have no doubt that she will make a success but there is spoilt child syndrome that comes out sometimes.

"I think you will have your hands full."

Mr Littner added: "Her business plan was not really a fully formed plan.

"She wants to create a brand - it’s not a bad idea.

"There is definitely a market for that. Her business is a viable business."

The candidates were then called back into the boardroom to learn their fate.

Lord Sugar decided to fire Neil Clough, Jordan Poulton and Francesca MacDuff-Varley, leaving Luisa and Leah as the finalists.

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He said: "Both are very big risks for different reasons but life is about risks. Let’s see how they do in the final."

The pair will now have to prove themselves to the multi-millionaire by turning their business plan into reality in next’s week show.