THE world of wealth management is, in essence, all about taking what already exists – cash – and making it grow by selecting the right partnerships.

Mark Parello, who by day is an investment adviser for Liverpool-based Millen Capital, has taken the same principle and applied it to online networking for the city’s businesses.

After spending many months progressing the idea and working with two developers to make his vision a reality, he launched his website, abusyworld.com, last December.

He has seen it grow, attracting more than 4,000 registered users to the site, who are using it as a platform to promote themselves and their business.

“I got married three years ago and we had a baby boy two years ago. My perceptions changed,” said Mark.

“I love what I do in investment management, but I wanted to see if there was a way I could help other people who were in the position I was in.

“I didn’t have the greatest start in life, and then everything I had done previously had been pretty selfish in terms of the next career move, the next bonus.

“I thought ‘what’s the best way to reach as many people as I possibly can?’ – that’s the internet. I wanted it to be something I am passionate about – I am passionate about people and I am passionate about business.”

His aim was to create a platform where the business community – in particular, new businesses and SMEs – can connect.

Mark said: “I had a look at what tools were out there, where I could help business and help connect people in business.

“Facebook isn’t really for professionals. Twitter, well, I don’t see that businesses get any realŠ use from using it. LinkedIn has got networking capabilities, but it’s not a tool I would like to promote myself on, it’s ugly and difficult to use.

“I wanted to create a site that people can use to help them do business or find funding and advice. That’s where we started from.”

However, he plans to make A Busy World into more than just a networking site.

“We are going to make it into a business tool,” he said.

“Unlike LinkedIn, which is like a CV online, we want A Busy World to be a tool for business.

“For example, we want businesses to be able to sell through the site.”

He has remained focused on his twin aims of helping businesses and helping people, through a distribution of revenues to charity.

Mark said: “I called the site A Busy World for a reason, but one of my immediate goals is to connect Liverpool. I am based in Liverpool, it’s been great for me and my family. If I can help bring opportunities to more and more people, that’s my aim.

“It was set up to help people connect with each other, so people had a tool to help themselves and help others.

“While people are using A Busy World and creating their sites, they are helping others. Hopefully, that good karma will keep going round and round.”

The site has free and paid-for options, with the £1-a-week cost allowing members’ websites to be accessed by anyone online, not just by registered users of the site.

Of the £1, fifteen pence goes to forces and children’s charities, and Mark is in the process of setting up a charitable trust to create a formal structure for the money to be held and paid out.

“As well as helping themselves to connect with each other, we will be able to give more help to the charities – that’s what’s really driving me to be honest,” added Mark. If it was just about the money, I would be bored by now.”