Success Stories

Sylwia Radwan : sylviaR

"I am 30 years old and have studied marketing and management. I have worked for two international companies in marketing department. It was really interesting but very, very stressful. I decided that the only way that I could be independent and more flexible to look after my daughter, Nadia of 7months, was to set up my own business. I always wanted to have my own company but I was not sure about an idea. So I started to think about my dream - to have a professional photography studio and take fashion and beauty photographs."

Alison Roberts : Iced and Sliced

"A few years ago my husband and I moved to Spain, and in a fit of desperation, mainly to avoid telemarketing, I went for an interview for a chef job in a high quality restaurant near Marbella, Costa del Sol. The interview was like a little ‘ready, steady cook’ scenario – I had to construct a dish from a selection of ingredients and the chef was impressed enough to take me on."

Stevie Matthewson : Stone Workwear

"Born and bred in Coventry, I have been working in the corporate clothing industry for 20 years, predominantly on the sales support / contract management side dealing with all elements of garment supply from inception to roll out... Over the past few years I have been juggling my career and home life almost to the point of exhaustion, often working in excess of 12 hoursa day and driving over 1,000 miles per week."

Rochelle Byles : Pootle

"Pootle was formed, after owner Rochelle Byles got frustrated with options available to her for her own children, Andrew (3) and Sophie (1).  Everything seemed to be excessively priced for pregnancy and for newborns, especially when you consider the short time these items are used. With a concern for the environment and the purse strings, Rochelle decided to do something about it for future Coventry mums. Pootle is the result..."