
50 plus success stories
Jigsaw Training and Development Services
Carole Smith and Sue Gibbs are already enjoying the benefits of operating their own business. They’ve been running Jigsaw Training And Development Services for nine months now. Their story began when they attended the One Day Business Start-up Course in May last year....
Dave Parkman, Cowes convenience store owner
Dave Parkman is enjoying a new working life running a shop – with the help of the Over 50s Start Me Up programme. Dave opened his convenience store on Cowes High Street in November. Retail is a big change for Dave who had previously worked as a prison officer until he...
Over 50s Start Me Up Christmas drop-in
Festive fun with the Over 50s Start Me Up programme! The latest drop-in session for the Over 50s Start Me Up programme has a festive feel today. We’re welcoming our 50 plus entrepreneurs to the Chamber offices at Mill Court for networking with a twist, with a...
Inspirational winning night for Martin and the Over 50s StartMeUp programme
Martin Timbers is celebrating winning a Highly Commended award at the prestigious 2017 Business Awards For Excellence. Martin runs Isle of Wight Design and Print and his business was nominated twice. He was shortlisted for the Marketing and Design award as well as the...
Island Pain Relief
Kim Aminu runs Island Pain Relief, specialising in natural therapy for clients with chronic and acute pain. Kim is a Physiokey and Scenar practitioner and she is based at Cowes Chiropractic Clinic. Running her own business is fairly new for Kim who has taken up...
Over 50s on-board at Expo 2017
The Island’s Over 50’s entrepreneurs are celebrating a great day at Expo 2017, held recently at the Lakeside Park Hotel. It’s the Isle of Wight’s biggest single business event, with hundreds of visiting delegates and more than 50 exhibitors. This year the Over 50’s...
Moira Sugden Consulting
Moira Sugden is a lifecoach, mentor and speaker. She’s about to become her own boss, for the first time in her working life, thanks to the support of the Over50s Start Me Up programme. “I’ve worked for 43 years in the public sector,” Moira explains. “I worked for the...
Martin’s story
Martin Timbers set up Isle of Wight Design And Print in 2016 with the support of the StartMeUp Over 50s project. Martin tells us his story and how the project helped him to be his own boss. Being over fifty is no barrier to running your own business. In fact, it can...
START ME UP : How 50 plus Islanders are learning to be their own boss
The Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce is supporting older people on the Island by providing help and advice on starting a business or being self-employed. Since 2015 The Chamber has been hosting monthly workshops and providing ongoing mentoring as part of the Age...
Nicola Allen and Little Betty’s Bakes
Nicola Allen works from home in Binstead, baking and decorating hand-iced biscuits. Inspired by her grandmother Betty, the business is named Little Betty’s Bakes. “We specialise in creating delicious biscuits for you to send as a lovely gift,” Nicola explains....