Heather Goodchild, who lives in Sparkhill, Birmingham, has set up garden design and maintenance services business Absolutely Gardens with support from the Regional Women’s Enterprise Unit (RWEU).

The 41-year-old sowed the seeds by taking a two-year HNC in garden design with Pershore College at Kings Heath Horticultural College.

After passing the course and with her four-year-old son Callum attending school, Heather has been nurtured along by RWEU business adviser Marion Taggart.

“I have been gardening for other people for quite a long time but I decided that once my son started school that I would like to set up on my own,” Heather said.

“I went to college one day a week for two years and completed the course work at home during the evenings and weekends.

“I usually go to people’s homes and give them advice about potential designs that they can have for their gardens or for improving what is already there.

“The garden services side of the business concentrates on maintenance and planting.

“I have just completed my first design commission which is due to be constructed sometime in 2007 in Liverpool.

“I have got quite a few clients already but since it is quite seasonal I am hoping to generate new business in the early months of this year.”

Heather attended a free two-day course run by the RWEU at the Community Integration Partnership in Edgbaston, Birmingham, and will also have up to ten free sessions with her business adviser.

“The two-day course covered business plans, advertising, planning and accounts and I am still seeing my business adviser in Birmingham so I haven’t had far to travel which was important,” she said.

“The RWEU has helped me so much – I don’t know how I would have done it without them.

“I am experienced in plants and gardens but I am completely inexperienced with the business side of things.

“When I was in the process of setting up the business I felt a little bit lost at times but Marion has been very helpful and it is great to have someone to talk to who understands everything you are going through.”

Marion, from the RWEU, said the organisation offered a range of free business services to offer advice and support every step of the way for women considering becoming self-employed.

She said: “All our advisers are experienced in providing practical help and pointing women in the direction of relevant training courses and networking opportunities.

“Our services are free since we are partly funded by Advantage West Midlands, the DTI’s Small Business Service and the European Social Fund which means we are accessible to all women.

“Heather’s business is already growing and I am sure Absolutely Gardens will be a big success.”

The RWEU can be contacted on 024 7623 6111 or by email at admin@wbda.co.uk and

Heather can be contacted on 0121 2471374 or by email at heather.goodchild@blueyonder.co.uk