Success stories
Familys recipe for success
Tuesday 5th August
Sisters, mothers and daughters really are doing it for themselves thanks to the No Limits Women Mean Business support scheme.
Diane Cobb is now working with her three daughters after launching Diane's Tea Rooms in Padiham and her mother is even chipping in by making fresh, homemade desserts for customers.
Illness forced Diane to rethink what she wanted from life and, after much soul searching the former medical secretary from Accrington took the plunge and contacted Carole Garrett at Burney Enterprise Trust and found out about the No Limits Women Mean Business support scheme.
Women Mean Business was set up to address the current climate where men are twice as likely to start a business as women. The programme gives them a chance to pursue their ambition, receive personal advice and affords the opportunity to meet and develop business with other women.
Diane said: "Carole is fantastic. She helped me overcome lots of business hurdles that would have seemed impossible without her.
"She also helped me to apply for a £2,500 grant, which I am going to use to buy more catering equipment and promote my business locally."
After finding and leasing her dream premises Diane sold her house and set to work to turn a former furniture shop into a fresh and modern two-story tea room.
"I was over the moon when my daughters said they would come and work with me. With my mother making all the delicious puddings and my daughters serving customers I know that anyone who comes here to eat is getting the very best," added Diane.
Carole Garrett, said: "Diane is a real inspiration and is having a great time running her own business. Her illness made her realise that there really are No Limits to what can be achieved and I am very pleased to see business is going so well."
Diane's Tea Rooms is open Monday to Saturday and will be open throughout the summer on Sundays. The size of the premises means Diane can also cater for functions and the upstairs area can hold up to 40 people.
Filter by date
