Success Stories
"Born and bred in Coventry, I always had ambitions to write for national women’s magazines and newspapers. After finishing a degree in English and History at Keele University, I enrolled on a fast-track journalism training course in Portsmouth... I applied for a feature writer position at a national press agencyin Birmingham, which I got and immediately loved what I was doing."
"Personal Coaching does not always result in people making dramatic changes in their lives; you may find that small changes and a new perspective are enough to make a very positive difference to how you feel about your future. I also offer workshops for parents to be and mums with young families."
"Not only did I wear a bikini on holiday last year for the first time in 20 years, I now have my own business thanks to Lighterlife! I am looking forward to helping other obese people overcoming their weight issues."
A young mum with two children has launched a fantastic pottery business. The challenge of being made redundant has turned into a real opportunity for Lucy...
"My name is Sabera Kara, a 22 year old mother of two from
Coventry. I grew up in
Coventry with my mum, dad and four sisters. I always looked up to my mum, a strong business figure in my eyes. She had set up her own business from home with the help of WBDA and has been doing well ever since."
"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."
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!
"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."
"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."
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
"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."
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.
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.
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