Success Stories

Alex Dowman : The Chemical Galaxy

"I have launched my own business The Chemical Galaxy. I retail products bearing the 'chemical galaxy' design e.g. computer mouse mats, mugs, posters etc; these are only available online for the time being. The Chemical Galaxy is a new vision of the periodic table of elements designed by my father."

Elizabeth Kay : Truly Julry

TrulyJulry -  A jewellery business which I visit homes and businesses - a fantastic personal service with a variety of jewellery for all ages. Slowly but surely my dreams are turning into reality!

Angela Dakin : Angela Dakin Coaching and Consultancy

"After 20 years managing business services within organisations including a Non-Departmental Government Body, a national children's charity, a Local Authority Education Department and an FE College, in 2007 I left my job and went overseas on a volunteer placement for 3 months. Shortly after returning I began to establish my business as an independent consultant and corporate coach."

Erica Ramsay : Locus Action Research

"We were interested in developing our strong social interests and enthusiasm for unlocking the potential of local people in the areas where they live into a business concept.  Although we have lots of experience in relevant social policy areas, we didn’t know how to begin to develop these ideas in a business-like way."

Hannah Sassoon : Rose for the Heart

"Rose for the Heart is a flower and gem remedy for grief and heart break. I've always been involved in healing and therapeutic traditions. So this gave me the idea to pursue healing and therapeutic traditions and launch my own business so I can help others."

Finola McDermott: Dynamic Voices

Giving a presentation in front of dozens of people can be a daunting experience – but a Coventry woman can help business people ease their fears. The classical singer was originally planning to become a singing voice coach until she attended a course run by WBDA.

Louise Broadhurst: Perfect Little Parties

Nuneaton-based Louise Broadhurst had the idea for launching Perfect Little Parties following the success of her little girl’s birthday party. When 5-year-old Erin Broadhurst grows up she can take some of the credit for her mum’s business idea! She attended the Women Enterprise Programme and Imagining Growth course
run by WBDA and two years later her business is flourishing.

Julia Mann: PC Pal

A Solihull woman who has set up on her own after being made redundant is launching a nationwide business this year to mend and maintain computers in homes and offices. PC PAL will run franchises in every part of the country after theinitial success of operating the business in the Solihull area. Julia Mann is now looking for people interested in buying a franchise or managing a franchise in different parts of the UK.

Sue Clarke: PromoLingua

A Warwick woman is saying ‘hola!’ to a new career in linguistics in 2008 after receiving help from WBDA. She received advice and information to put together her business plan from the WBDA after attending a Be Your Own Boss workshop.

Heather Goodchild: Absolutely Gardens

Heather Goodchild set up a garden design and maintenance business Absolutely Gardens to develop her interest in horticulture and because she wanted more flexible working hours. She turned to the Women’s Business Development Agency (WBDA) for help to develop her business plan and gain financial advice.

Gail Gwynne: Eaternal Nutrition

Handing out diet hints and tips to colleagues led to a new business venture for one enterprising Coventry woman. Gail Gwynne, from Keresley, set up Eaternal Nutrition after taking redundancy from BT where she had worked for 27 years.

Rubana Ahmad: Ethika

Ethika is the brainchild of Birmingham-based Rubana Ahmad and operates as a social enterprise providing aid for orphans and trade for the poor in Pakistan. Rubana, a mother-of-two with a textile design degree, previously sold
embroidery designs internationally and had run an informal fair trading
venture for over two years.

Miranda de Freston: Juggle Frogs

"Finding a reliable plumber or electrician is no longer a big problem thanks to an innovative Kenilworth woman. We found it a nightmare finding tradesmen for various jobs and I thought it would be a great idea to start a website where people could select the kind of work they neededdoing and find someone in the area in which they lived."

Wendy Harrisson: Music Box

Music Box introduce babies and children as well as their parents and carers to music in a fun and friendly environment. Wendy Harrisson, who was a member of the Coventry Youth Orchestra for five years, studied music at Leeds University and worked in academic,music and special libraries for seven years.

Fay Shorter: Wilmot Simpson Legal Practice

A holiday to Jamaica inspired a Birmingham woman to set up her own legal practice. A chat with her brother-in-law led to the 36-year-old from Great Barrlaunching her own company and naming it after him - Wilmot Simpson.