A resident from Odd Down in Bath has seen her fashion accessories business flourish after receiving a training grant from her social landlord, The Guinness Partnership.
Earlier this year Joanna Luton, 45, applied for one of Guinness’ annual Aspire Awards, designed to help its customers get back in to work or further up the career ladder by gaining new qualifications and skills.
She is one of more than 100 Aspire winners and is using her award to complete an advanced year-long metal-work course at Bath College.
After having to leave her previous job due to a shoulder injury in January Joanna wanted to be able to work from home.
“I wanted to work for myself and I’ve always been interested in jewellery design. The course is giving me the opportunity to learn more about the jewellery industry as well as the technical design aspects,” she explained.
Using her past retail experience working with designer brands, Joanna set up her own affordable eBay shop, Bubblegum Jewellery Box, which she officially launched in July of this year.
She is now taking what she learns from the course to expand her business.
Joanna added: “Bath is quite a small city, so lots of small businesses network and work together quite easily here.
“My plan is to grow the business locally so that I can market and promote it in Bath primarily and eventually have local designers work for the company.”
Guinness, which manages nearly 60,000 homes across England, celebrated its 125th anniversary this year and marked the milestone by handing out a record number of Aspire Awards to customers.
For more information on the Aspire Awards and to watch a video from the event, visit www.guinnesspartnership.com/aspire or go to http://stores.ebay.co.uk/bubblegum-jewellery-box to visit Joanna’s online shop.
