The Prince’s Trust
13th November 2009
The Prince’s Trust is often cited as an excellent example for doing something practical to help young people to gain experiences and for some, to develop their ideas into a business proposition. Here is one example of someone who is hoping that the Prince’s Trust will turn her dream into reality:
A 21-YEAR-OLD entrepreneur has been nominated for an award from The Prince's Trust after turning her life around to open a florist's shop.
Katie Bonsall, from Jacksdale, has been nominated for the Federation of Small Businesses Enterprise Award after setting up her own business in the village, Precious Petals, as the country went into the depths of recession early this year.
The successful businesswoman had previously lost her job as a florist and ended up being unemployed for four months. She heard about The Prince's Trust Business Programme and her application for a loan and mentoring programme to set up on her own was successful.
Katie said: "I am over the moon, I've never won anything or been nominated for anything in my life. I just didn't know what to say when I heard - I was gobsmacked, just over the moon.
"I opened up at the beginning of the recession when we didn't really realise how bad things actually were, so it's amazing when I look back because the business is going brilliantly."
A spokeperson for the Prince's Trust said: "Katie has changed from an unemployed youngster relying on her family and benefits, to a successful young businesswoman. The business is thriving and she has now employed a young person from the village as well."
Katie launched Precious Petals from home in January and opened up a shop in April.
The awards ceremony will be held at Nottingham Playhouse in the city on November 17.
The Prince's Trust Celebrate Success Awards honour the achievements of disadvantaged young people who have succeeded against all the odds.
The finalists have been selected from the 3,500 young people supported by The Trust in the East Midlands over the past year.
See Prince’s Trust and Eastwood & Kimberley Advertiser