Business Startup

After 14 years working in hairdressing salons in Stockport, following the birth of her daughter, Wendy became a full-time Mum with all the responsibilities that looking after a three-year-old little girl brings.

In July 2007 with Natasha now in nursery school, Wendy wanted to go back to work, but instead of someone else benefiting from her wealth of experience, Wendy decided that she could combine looking after her daughter with a return to work and set out to become a mobile hairdresser.

She contacted the Business Start Up team and following initial introductions, Wendy was invited to attend an initial group business awareness session and then a series of 1-2-1 meeting, where she received help to create her business plan, cash flow projections and all the other relevant information which provided Wendy with a sound basis for her business start. Wendy was then introduced to the Prince's Trust who supported her venture with a £500 Start Up grant.

Wendy said: ‘The help I have received has been fantastic, from my first meeting through to the Princes Trust. Business Start Up gave me all the help I needed in creating my business plans and looking at my cost to make sure that my idea was going to work. Now I have the best of both worlds in that I can spend time with my daughter, Natasha and be flexible with my work. But the most important thing is that I am working for myself and it is my business’.