Derbyshire Mums Mean Business Thanks to Euro Project

Julie Baugh

Two mums from Derbyshire are now running their own businesses thanks to coaching and mentoring support from a Euro-funded community project.

Julie Baugh from Clowne and Amanda Pennington from Whitwell signed up to the project, run by Clowne Enterprise Ltd, as they wanted to get back into work. Julie now runs a website selling local artists' work, www.artistsofderbyshire.co.uk and Amanda has her own mobile Aromatherapy service, Cura Personalis.

The scheme, funded with £9,000 from the European Social Fund (ESF) and Skills Funding Agency, is aimed at people whose personal circumstances may make it difficult for them to take on a full time job such as parents, carers or people with illnesses or disabilities, or those who may lack the qualifications they need to get a job.

Each individual goes through one-to-one coaching to identify their aims and goals and work through any personal barriers to achieving their dreams, before moving on to more practical sessions around business planning and marketing.

Art enthusiast Julie (45) stopped working when she became mum to four year old Kieran, but is now turning her love of art into a business to sell her work and that of other artists, which she runs when her son is at nursery.

Julie said: "The idea for the website came from a discussion at my local art group in Clowne as a way to promote our work. Being quite remote makes it tricky logistically and expensive to exhibit our work, so a website seemed like the best option.

"I read about Paul Davies from Clowne Enterprise in the local paper and thought I could benefit from his help. I have had a great deal of support from the project - it has, for example, given me the opportunity to link my website to and from other members' sites and it has been brilliant getting together with people from other businesses and swapping ideas."

Amanda Pennington

Former nurse Amanda (40), has had an interest in natural health since having her children, now 10 and seven, and completed a Level 3 Diploma in Aromatherapy in May 2009. Keen to make a business out of her passion she set up a mobile service, but wanted some additional help to take the business further.

She said: "It can be tricky finding jobs which fit in around my busy family life, so when I heard about the project I knew I could use the knowledge and experience of the advisers to take mine to the next level.

"The coaching has really given me the confidence to market myself and know how to take my ideas forward. Knowing there is someone there to support you when you need it is just so valuable. I look forward to taking the business from strength to strength over the coming months."

Paul Davies, Enterprise Coach for Clowne Enterprise, said: "The project is already proving to be a great success and we are delighted that Julie, Amanda and many others have been able to make their dreams a reality.

"We have found that there is no substitute for locally based, one-to-one coaching, and that is exactly what we are able to provide through this project."

Amanda added: "The scheme has also been great for meeting people in a similar situation to me. The informal monthly meetings are great for sharing ideas and good practice which really helps along the way."