Sisters are doing it for themselves
Social enterprise group WEvolution have helped women to make business dreams reality. ANNIE BROWN meets three of them
revolution. Trishy was introduced to WEvolution by another mum at the nursery gates, who recognised that she was at a low ebb, pregnant with her fourth child and her husband Gordon was in hospital.
Trishy had moved from Kent and headed to Greenock with chef Gordon, far from her former network of family and friends.
She said: “I was stressed out and struggling. It had been fine when Gordon was at home but all of a sudden I was alone with the kids. It is wonderful to be a mum but there is a danger of losing who you are.”
She joined a community group where there were play facilities for the children, giving parents a chance to sit and chat. Gordon had to have major bowel surgery and she only found out she was expecting her fourth child when he was in hospital, so WEvolution offered friendship at the right time.
She then joined a craft class run by WEvolution and started her own tie dye clothing business Rainbow Creations with £20.
As people bought the clothes, she reinvested the money and now bulk buys t-shirts and dye from the US.
Trishy then set up a chic shop in Gourock, renting space to artisans.
She worked in it voluntarily for a year with another woman who put up the finances.
Last weekend she was able to buy out her partner and take over the business using a loan, with nominal interest, from WEvolution. Trishy is delighted that she can now visualise becoming financially independent.
She said: “WEvolution was a very nurturing environment which helped me a lot.
“The prospect that we can perhaps get our independence back is great.”