Success is on the cards for Regenda Homes resident Sharon Cook
Business success is on the cards for Regenda resident Sharon Cook who has turned a hobby into a thriving new business.
Thanks to advice and encouragement from Regenda Homes, Sharon has become self-employed making bespoke greetings cards and keepsakes.
She is busy designing and printing to order at her home in Fleetwood for customers across the UK and even abroad.
“I began dabbling with card making about 10 years ago. I was making birthday cards for family and friends, then communion cards and suddenly my hobby really started to expand. I wondered if I could actually make a living out of it, but I just didn’t know how to go about it,” said Sharon.
The breakthrough came when she mentioned her business idea to Regenda Homes employment skills coordinator, Joe Simpson, who immediately spotted the potential.
“Sharon asked me if I knew anyone who could help and I said yes, we can! Regenda is able to put residents in touch with other agencies who offer expert help and sources of funding,” said Joe.
Regenda put Sharon in touch with Upturn, a social enterprise based in Oldham and the welfare-to-work company A4e. They also helped her to enrol on a new business start-up course.
“As well as all the practical advice I received, I was also able to get a grant to buy a new printer and everything started falling into place. Now I’m taking orders through a specialist hand-made gifts shop in Essex, on ebay and selling as far away as Ireland, Malta and even America,” said Sharon.
She is currently running her Couture Wedding Stationery business from the living room of her home on the West View estate but already has designs on opening her own shop.