Business take off – Estelle’s story

Estelle joined the Restart Scheme with the goal of continuing her career in hairdressing, which she had taken a break from to raise her family. Estelle was specifically looking for support to find work that fit around childcare.

Employment Adviser, Stephen, helped Estelle to look into the available options for returning to hairdressing. Starting with Estelle’s main concern, Stephen discussed the government funded childcare hours she was entitled to and completed a Better Off Calculation, to give her a clear idea of what her finances would look like once she started working.

Stephen suggested self-employment as an option to consider, as Estelle could work mobile, creating her own hours with flexibility around childcare. Estelle liked the sound of this and was motivated by the idea and support from Stephen. They began by creating a business plan, and discussed how she could expand on her services to broaden her clientele. Together they created business cards, funded by the Restart Scheme, and looked at ways to advertise Estelle’s new business.

Estelle decided to add eyelash and hair extension services to her list of treatments for her business and completed courses in these areas using funding provided by the Restart Scheme.

Stephen told us: “Estelle completed her courses and is now running a very successful, mobile hairdressing business. Using her new business cards and social media, Estelle has told us: ‘I’ve been very busy during the summer holidays and hoping to continue in building my clients’.

“The team and I are still in touch with Estelle for any in-work support she may need, and we are all rooting for her. Well done, Estelle!”