Sylwia Nowaska is a young woman living in Thornaby, who travelled from her home land in Poland with her husband and children, to secure a better lifestyle for her and family.
Life has been difficult though and Sylwia was advised by the Job Centre to secure support from Five Lamps.
Sylwia is an artistic and talented young woman with a natural ability in arts and crafts, however when she first met Jane, Five Lamps Intensive Support Worker, she did not consider these skills. Sylwia was prepared to settle for ‘any job’ without considering the many skills she had.
With Jane’s help they created realistic goals, to offer her the challenges and attainable goals Sylwia deserved. Jane gave Sylwia time to discuss her skills and talents and previous work history. Through exploring her previous experiences it was established that Sylvia has a natural talent in arts and crafts and floristry. In Poland, Sylwia worked as a florist and used her talent in art to create individualised Christmas bobbles and decorations.
Jane referred Sylwia to a Five Lamps work club to complete her CV and also to training in First Aid and ICT. Jane also recognised Sylvwa’s unique skills and talents could be used to create an innovative and successful business and advised Sylwia to secure self-employment.
Jane also referred Sylwia to Five Lamps Enterprise Team to provide expertise, practical training and financial support to set up her own business.
During this time Stockton Council launched the Nifty Fifty Challenge. This was launched as part of The Eureka Programme, through Stockton Enterprise Gateway and the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Global Enterprise week, offering the community of Stockton a platform to market their product. The successful candidates were given £50.00 to purchase the materials they required and to launch their products. They were given 2 weeks to create and sell their products, the most successful candidate winning £500.00 Travel vouchers.
The Nifty Fifty Challenge was a brilliant opportunity for Sylwia to showcase her unique talents. Jane contacted her with regard to the competition and through her encouragement and support Sylwia agreed to enter. Sylwia and several other talented new entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to promote and market their goods at Stockton Christmas Market.
On the 16 November 2011 Sylwia and her family and the other contestants were invited to an awards event to celebrate the achievements of the week. Sylwia and her family attended and were thrilled when they were announced as the winners of the Nifty Fifty Challenge after generating £544 by making and selling beautiful Christmas baubles, cards and flower arrangements.
Sylwia is getting continued help and support from Five Lamps Enterprise Team, is in the process of developing her Business Plan and is receiving assistance to find a suitable outlet for her merchandise.
Her success with the challenge clearly demonstrates that she not only has the creative and artistic vision, but also the commercial skills to turn this into a successful, profitable business.
Sylwia’s career path is exciting and innovative; she will progress with her unique flair and individualised, customised decorations and floral bouquets. A truly sparkling future awaits her.
She said “
I don’t know what I would have done without Jane’s encouragement for me to enter the Nifty Fifty Challenge. The continued support I have received from Five Lamps is invaluable”.