R is 55 years old. She committed her first offence at 17and was imprisoned at HMP Holloway for shoplifting. In 1979 R went to Germany and worked as a dancer. In 1985 she was convicted for importation and served an 18 month sentence in HMP Holloway and HMP Bullwood Hall. When she was released she spent time studying and then moved back to Germany again where she managed a night club. In 2000 R returned to the UK and her life progressively ‘went downhill’. In 2006 R was again convicted for importation. She was sentenced to 4 ½ years.

She served 2 years in prison at HMP Holloway and HMP Downview and was released in March 2008 to serve the remaining 2 years in the community on license. In total R has had over 20 convictions.

R first met Startup at an event that Startup held in HMP Downview in 2007. She discussed her initial business idea with a Business Adviser which was to open a fast food outlet selling Caribbean Cooking. Over the following months our Business Adviser spent considerable time meeting with R in prison and corresponding helping R to recognized her fast food restaurant plan was not achievable.

R still felt that self- employment was definitely the way in which she wanted to support herself after coming out of prison. She decided that she wanted to set up a business as a mobile beauty therapist. To achieve this R has worked hard obtained the relevant beauty therapy qualifications.

Upon release R was supported by Women in Prison who alerted R to our Startupnow for Women project.

She discussed her new business idea with the same Startup Business Adviser. A new business plan to set up as a Beauty Therapist was developed and approved for support.

Startup has now provided R with the marketing support and the materials and equipment necessary to get her business started. Which she is now pursuing with great energy and success.