A MUM is hoping her business will be ballooning in size after she decided to make her ideas a reality when her husband was made redundant.
Vicky Topen, who lives in Carmyllie, near Arbroath, was a stay-at-home mum for seven years following the birth of her two sons.
However, with help Vicky received and with the support from her husband Liam, who she says has been “hugely supportive and totally amazing”, Vicky launched her balloon design business Helium Designs earlier this year.
A former children’s care manager, although she had considered returning to work, she really did not fancy looking after someone else’s kids when she could be spending time with her own.
It was while she was looking for flexible options that fitted around her family life she began to think she could make a business out of her hobby of balloon designs.
Vicky said: “I have always loved balloons and a few years ago I began creating designs for family and friends.
“This eventually grew to my children’s school, Friockheim Primary School, asking me to do decorations for events like theHalloween dance and Christmas fair.
“More and more people kept on saying to me I should do it properly and turn my hobby into a business.
“Initially I just laughed it off but when my husband was made redundant again I began wondering if it was possible.
“I set up a Facebook page and then the hard work began but quickly word of mouth spread and the work just keeps on coming.”
She added: “I do balloons forweddings, birthdays and all kinds of parties. I have been working on displays for Tesco and RAF Leuchars and I am loving everyminute of it.
“Yes it is hard work but everyone so far has loved my work. I certainly have no regrets.
“My work is flexible and allows me the time I need for my children and the best part is people are paying me to play around with balloons what more could I want?”
When Vicky began exploring the idea she quickly realised she did not have a clue about how to start up on her own.
Vicky’s first port of call was Angus Centre for Enterprise, which offers training, advice and support in enterprise and entrepreneurship, located in Angus College.
Angus Centre for Enterprise works with a number of partners, including The North East Enterprise Trust, Business Gateway, Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce and the Federations of Small Businesses.
The aim is to support anyone who may be looking to set up in business as well as providing training and mentoring to more established local companies.
Vicky said: “The help I received through the Enterprise Centre was amazing.
“I had no idea about how to deal with the Inland Revenue, register as self-employed or what I legally needed to do.
“They gave me lots of help and advice, helped me to put together a business plan and even researched other similar businesses to give me pointers.
“It was brilliant having someone totalk to.”
Angus Centre for Enterprise manager Pauline MacDonald, said: “Since opening our doors in September 2011 we have had more than 1,000 people coming to us for help and advice.
“We are delighted that the support and guidance we provide can help people like Vicky take the plunge and literally in her case, get their business off the ground.”
gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk