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Call to entrepreneurs

When hospital theatre staff nurse Kath Old wanted a major career change she sought help from the University’s Business School.

The New Entrepreneur Scholarship (NES) programme run by the Business School helped Kath, from Billingham, make the move from nursing and set up a new venture. The programme runs twice a year for 16 weeks, with the aim of helping people with a viable business idea turn their dream into reality. Kath had worked as a staff nurse for 20 years, but was seeking a career change to combine her interests in beauty and making cakes.

And having recently completed the NES programme, she has since left nursing to set up a beauty, cake and greetings card business.

Kath said: ‘I had been in nursing for a long time and was looking for a complete change. The cake-making had been a hobby for years, but when I heard about the NES programme from a friend I decided to look into it.

‘I went along to the NES with the idea of providing a complete wedding package, such as make-up, cake and cards, but also providing all the services separately too.’

Along with beauty treatments including waxing, facials, nails and make-up, Kath also plans to develop her business to offer treatments such as Botox.

Kath said: ‘I don’t think I would have had the confidence to set up in business without the NES course. I’ve had so much support from the lecturers and also the students on the course all really support each other too.’

NES participants are offered mentoring and help to create a business plan. They can also work towards an NVQ Level 3.

Other fledgling ventures recently helped by NES include a computer animation and graphics business, a wheelchair user who seeking to help disabled people gain work experience, a musician who teaches music to disadvantaged children and an online shopping service specialising in baby supplies such as prams and cots.

For further information telephone 01642 342868 or email tbsenterprise@tees.ac.uk

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