Name: Penelope Palmer (Penny)
Age: 39
Job title: Equine Therapist
Company: Equine’s M.O.T
Plans for 2008: To build up my business, to make a film on wild horses in Britain and to start on my biography.
How did you fund the business?
With an initial ?1,500 award from Nottingham Business Venture, which?I used towards essential costs for her business – a computer, insurance and business cards.
What was the motivating factor for staring your own business?
A good friend saw me working on my horse and asked me why I didn’t do this as a business. I didn’t think that I was good enough, but then I went down to Bulwell Jobcentre Plus and took part in New Deal for Lone Parents. They referred me to Nottinghamshire Business Venture, who helped me to produce a business plan to get things started.
What are the best bits about working again?
Getting my confidence back around people and doing something that I am good at. This is my dream job.
Running a business can be a mixed bag sometimes. What have been you highs and lows so far?
Every day I wake up feeling positive. The low is that I wish that I had done this a long time ago. A horse therapist as a career – that must get some interesting responses. How have people reacted towards it? Is working and raising a family challenging? If you how? Not really as I get them involved in my work, so they learn something new every day. They are very helpful and they all chip in with the housework.
What is available to mothers now that you wish you had access to when your family was young?
There is more help for single mums or dads to help them raise their families.
How have you managed to stay on top of your career with the demands of motherhood?
I have fun with them whenever I can and I often involve them in work decisions.
What has been the high point along the way?
I love what I’m doing. This is my dream come true.
What is your worst experience along the way?
My car broke down and I couldn’t contact a client. I tried to phone her but the battery on my mobile was dead. I hate being late, so I eventually managed to get in touch with her. But I always carry a back up phone with me now.
Any tips for expectant mums, or mothers who feel that you can’t have a successful career and a happy family life at the same time?
Yes you can! You can achieve all your goals when you meet the right people to help you on your way. It starts with telling some one your dream, like Jobcentre Plus, and the rest follows. Just go for it. This is the best thing that I have ever done.