Wedding planning is the business for Orpington entrepreneur

Lone parent launches her own wedding and event planning business with help from InBiz

Valerie Richards, 53, from Orpington has gone from unemployed to entrepreneur in just 26 weeks, having launched her own event and wedding planning business with help from InBiz, a national organisation dedicated to helping deliver people from unemployment into entrepreneurship.

Valerie liked the idea of building a business from scratch, but as a full-time mum, bringing up her daughter alone, she didn’t have the time to devote to a business. Now, with her daughter in her teens, Valerie decided it was the perfect opportunity to launch her own business and make her dream come true by launching an events and wedding planning business.

She had good organisational skills, and knew some people in the industry who gave her advice on event planning. What she needed now was some help to actually get her business off the ground.

Valerie went to InBiz in Gunnery Terrace, Woolwich, for business advice. She was assigned to a personal business adviser, Gaurav Singh, who helped her to develop the business skills she needed. With help from Gaurav, Valerie learned about bookkeeping, tax and marketing. She also learned about managing cash flow, and how to build and grow a business gradually.

Valerie’s business, Planned 4, is now up and running. As well as wedding planning, Valerie has been busy planning all types of events from corporate networking sessions in conference centres to birthday and anniversary parties.

Valerie said, "Running my own business has been challenging, but extremely rewarding. Now, instead of surviving on benefits, I’m having fun and earning money doing exactly what I’ve always wanted to. Planning events takes a lot of discipline and organisation, but nothing beats the feeling I get when it all comes together perfectly. Wedding planning is something I particularly enjoy. Being part of a couple’s big day makes it all the more special."

Richie Hamden, Business Manager at InBiz said, "Valerie is a good example of the work that InBiz does in London and the South East. Valerie had a good idea for her own business, but needed some support to get the business up and running. Valerie is proof that with the right, tailored support, such as that provided by InBiz, anyone with a sound business idea can make it a reality."

InBiz Preess Release