Women in Mind
Carmen and Laura Nash had problems finding sportswear that was both practical
and stylish. They felt designs had “men in mind” and there was little to suit women’s
needs. Instead, however, of setting up a straightforward sportswear shop to address
this gap in the market, they applied their thinking to other needs of women. “I am like
most other 21st century women,” admits Carmen, “always rushing from pillar to post,
with little time for anything and no time for myself at all. My daughter, Laura, and I felt
there was a need for a place where women could go for a little respite and therapy -
just for a short time perhaps whilst out shopping or in their lunch break - to escape
from the rat race; a sort of sanctuary for peace and well-being.”...
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Rachel Brough
Rachel Brough joined Staffordshire Police at 17 with the intention of making it
her career. Unfortunately she developed back problems which have plagued her
for over 11 years. Recently she undertook major spinal surgery and was hopeful
that her condition would be considerably improved. Unfortunately the outcome
was not as she hoped and she faces retirement from the Police on medical
grounds at the age of 34. Rachel has had the full support of Staffordshire Police
throughout...
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Rachael Montgomery – Contemporary Glass Artist
In June 2006, Rachael Montgomery completed a degree in Architectural Glass
Design at Wrexham School of Art. Rachael always had a love of art, but the
catalyst for her interest in and fascination for glass happened after a visit in her
early 40s to Coventry Cathedral. “I had never seen glass like it,” she explains,
“it was floor to ceiling height and I was in awe of it and the way the light
travelled through it. I still have a strong emotional response when I think about
it.” It was while she was studying that Rachael discovered she was dyslexic.
“When I found out it made a lot of things in my life that I had struggled with make
sense.”...
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Ginkgo Garden Design
Laura Denning spent most of her working life in universities and art galleries -
most recently as Course Leader in Fine Art at the University of Worcester.
Gradually, however, Laura began to find herself spending more time in meetings
and less time doing what she wanted...
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The Chocolate Tailor
“I’d been a college lecturer for 20 years, suffered a bereavement and other
personal things and had come to a stage in my life where I was asking, “What’s
life about?”. I felt the need to re-assess.” Jackie Roberts, now trading as The
Chocolate Tailor, felt that she didn’t want to work out the next ten years, “just for
my pension”, but that there were other things she wanted to do with her life...
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Helen Stallard Marketing – PR – Outreach
“A red MG sports car, a trip to New York and to become self-employed...” These
were the things that Helen Stallard, then aged 20 and with a history degree,
wanted to achieve.
To start with, however, Helen did none of these things. Instead she worked in
marketing in a theatre company and then moved to a regional marketing agency for
the arts industry. Over time, the daily commute of three hours began to take its toll
and Helen was forced to think again...
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Optima QVK Ltd
When MG Rover closed in April 2005, Dupé Adeoye found herself out of work.
The natural thing to do was to find another job as quickly as possible. Gradually,
however, Dupé found herself wondering whether she should accept the offers of
work she was receiving or whether she should seize this opportunity to do what
she had always wanted to do. A mechanical engineer, who had also worked in
manufacturing, marketing, business transformation and continuous improvement,
Dupé felt she wanted better control of her working life and that she should pursue
her passion - to move into independent consultancy...
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Healing for Animal and Owner
Following major surgery in 2001, when Dawn was seriously ill, she became convinced
that she wished to work in the area of healing and self development - with both people
and animals. Since then Dawn has studied alternative therapies with a view to working
independently, attending a foundation course in energy healing and then specialising in
animal healing for three years. “I’ve found a natural way of healing animal and owner
and this is what I really want to do with my life. I now do something I love and which
benefits many, by following my dream.”
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