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Georgina Harley-Smith
Georgina Harley-Smith
Streatham, South West London
After escaping a violent relationship and subsequently suffering with depression and anxiety, Georgina Harley-Smith was forced to give up a successful career in the fashion industry. In September 2007, Georgina’s life changed for the better when she showcased her very own collection during London Fashion Week. The response to her designs was amazing and some of her clothes were even featured in Vogue.
John Dixon Hart
ONE NATION Renewables
East Riding, Yorkshire
When John Dixon Hart was in his twenties he had mental health problems and went through a period of alcohol and drug abuse. He even spent time in prison for a drink-driving related matter. With the help of a relative, John decided to turn his life around and in the early 2000's he turned his back on his former problems and abuses, such that by 2007 his attitude was completely transformed and he started a new company importing and selling wind turbines. Since then, he and the business have gone from strength to strength, doubling turnover year-on-year.
Liz Conway
Screaming Red
Grantham, Lincolnshire
In 2002 Liz Conway’s husband was in involved in a near fatal hit and run accident. It was a miracle Steve survived his injuries and despite being told he would never walk again, has gone on to prove the experts wrong. After many years struggling the couple decided life was too short and with the help of their children, Charlotte (15) and William (7) they followed their dreams and opened a clothes shop called Screaming Red.
Joe Brown
Joe Brown’s Egg Round
Preston, Lancashire
Despite being diagnosed with Autism when he was three, Joe Brown attended a mainstream secondary school. Unfortunately Joe was bullied and when he was 16, left school with only two GCSE’s. Joe was determined to make a better life for himself and for the next four years continued his studies at college. Joe still struggled to find full-time employment so in July 2008, decided to become his own boss and started Joe Brown’s Egg Round, a door-to-door egg delivery service.
Louise Bourton
Scarlet Bridge
North Shields, Tyne & Wear
Louise Bourton married when she was only 17-years-old and shortly after she had two children. Unfortunately her marriage became violent and it was then that Louise realised she needed to take serious action to make a better life for herself and her children. After enrolling in a college course and going on to attend university, she used her 15 years of business experience to launch Scarlet Bridge in May 2008.
Penelope Stocks
Equines MOT
Nottingham
After suffering sexual and mental abuse during her early years, Penelope Stocks found refuge in her love for horses. As a consequence she decided to become an equine therapist. Penelope also trains horses with behavioural problems and teaches people how to ride. She has big plans for the future and hopes to open her own therapy stables.
Rob New and Julie Jones
MNC Developments
Letchworth, Hertfordshire
In 1992, Rob New was involved in a near-fatal motorcross accident that left him paralysed from the chest down. After lengthy rehabilitation, Rob returned to work – only to be made redundant from the job he loved. Undaunted, Rob decided to set up on his own and with life and business partner Julie Jones, he now runs a company which helps new inventors get their ideas to market.
Dawn MacWhannell
Pretty in Pink
Furness, Cumbria
When Dawn MacWhannell was diagnosed with breast cancer her life was turned upside-down. After five operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy it was time to rebuild her life. Dawn wanted to use her experience to positively change the lives of other suffers and in September 2008 she opened Pretty in Pink, a specialist lingerie and swimwear shop for women who may have undergone breast surgery.
Paul McDonald
Cravin Tunez Entertainment
West Worthing, West Sussex
Paul McDonald fell in with a bad crowd when he was younger and when he was 12, lost an arm in a train accident when he was messing around on train tracks. His recovery was a long and difficult process and Paul became depressed, but his passion for music encouraged him to start up his own events company. Paul also uses his own experience to help raise awareness of the dangers of playing railway tracks.
Kate Hamilton
Betty and Belle
Altrincham, Cheshire
Kate Hamilton decided to set up her shop in July 2007 after undergoing a mastectomy and chemotherapy. Together with business partner Geraldine Hurd she offers help and advice, as well as a range of specialised lingerie to other women affected by breast cancer.
Virginia Valentine
Angel Cakes by Virginia Valentine
Altrincham, Cheshire
Virginia Valentine had a traumatic childhood involving serious physical and sexual abuse, which led to a number of major health issues in her adult life. However, inspired by her grandmother and her love of baking she went on to set up her own cake shop in November 2007.
Adrian Carter
Carter’s Caters
Nunhead, South East London
Disabled in a road traffic accident when he was 18 – and needing a further two years of intense rehabilitation – Adrian Carter went on to set up his Caribbean catering company in December 2008. His most famous customer to date is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh!
David White
White Designs Jewellery
Colchester, Essex
David White has been making jewellery since childhood, but a series of personal tragedies knocked his confidence and led to a severe depression. However, with the support and encouragement of many people, especially his parents, David established his bespoke handcrafted jewellery business in November 2008.
Wendy Irwin
Gods Worldwide
Colchester, Essex
Wendy Irwin had a successful career as an air stewardess, but decided to turn her life around after being brutally attacked by her partner. Now with two young children, Wendy runs her own security company which she established in May 2008.
Deborah Stone
Gigglebucket
Liverpool
Deborah Stone was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 16 and was advised to abandon her education and concentrate on getting better. Deborah was having none of this and went on to gain a degree. However, Deborah’s health deteriorated after the birth of her daughter and she had to give up her job in the NHS. This only served to spur her on to open her own card and gift shop in December 2006, a second card and gift shop in February 2007 and a hair and beauty salon in September 2008.
Craig Earley
Happy Daze
Nottingham
When he was only seven years old, Craig Earley’s father died in a tragic road accident – and so started a downward spiral. Craig not only became addicted to drugs and served a prison sentence, but also lost a leg when he was run over by a van. Craig was determined to turn his life around and in October 2008, opened his shop which sells a wide range of alternative gifts.
Aileen Keenan
In Trim
Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Aileen Keenan is a single mum, who also took on the guardianship of her younger sister after their father’s death. Unfortunately she was made redundant and found it hard to support her family on benefits. But, determined to turn her life around, Aileen put her hairdressing experience to good use and opened her own salon in April 2007.
Martin Darke
MD National Stocktakers and Auditors
Birmingham
At age 17, Martin Darke had a sporting accident, and over the next five years was hospitalised, enduring 32 operations and at the age of 21 lost his leg through bone cancer. While he was recovering in hospital, Martin's parents got divorced and sold the family home, leaving him homeless and on the streets. However, Martin was determined to get his life back on track and now runs a successful Stocktaking and Auditors business.
Kevin Nixon
NU Look Cleaning Solutions
Magherafelt, Northern Ireland
Kevin Nixon has proved a lack of formal qualifications is not always a barrier to success. Despite not doing very well at school and falling in with the wrong crowd, Kevin was determined to create a better life for himself when he when he met his partner and she fell pregnant. Kevin went on to open his domestic and commercial cleaning business in October 2008.
Melonie Brown
Brown’s Pamper Parties
Woodford Green, Essex
Melonie Brown became so severely depressed after being raped in her teens that she even attempted suicide. Then life took a turn for the better when Melonie met her future husband and father of her children. Unfortunately, that relationship became abusive and Melonie finally plucked up the courage to leave. With three young children to support, Melonie decided to put her beauty qualifications to good use and set up her mobile pampering service in August 2008.
Rhodri Davies
SoBor
Carmarthen, Wales
Rhodri Davis was only 21 when he had to take over sole responsibility for his family and their farm after his father suffered a devastating brain seizure – caused by Encephalitis. During the two years Rhodri helped nurse his dad, he realised that his goals in life had changed. The experience gave Rhodri the courage and motivation to set up his own business in August 2008, manufacturing and distributing fruit smoothies, whilst also helping to raise awareness for The Encephalitis Society.
Vivean Pomell
Brynels Hats & Accessories
Birmingham
Whilst pregnant with her first child, Vivean Pomell developed Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, which severely restricted the use of her hands. As a result, Vivean was eventually unable to work. When her daughter was only three, she lost some of her hair and in an attempt to disguise this, Vivean began creating hats and hair pieces. In January 2007 Vivian started Brynels Hats & Accessories, providing bespoke and customised hats to the general public, as well a specialised service to people who suffer with hair loss.
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