Life really did begin at forty for Elaine, when she returned to full time education, after bringing up her daughter single handed, in preparation for returning to the workforce. Starting with a GNVQ she quickly obtained units in marketing, communications and information technology this encouraged her to move on to an HND for Business Studies.
Having passed all modules with distinction Elaine then went on to take a degree in Business obtaining a first class honours degree.
During her time at college Elaine received four awards, Adult Learner of the Year, the Business and Professional Women’s Cambridge Golden Jubilee Aware for Excellence, BTEC, EdExel Student of the year and also Regional Student of the year and was one of the five finalists in the Higher Education category of National Student of the Year awards.
Whilst then working part time in her first accountancy job, Elaine went on to obtain her qualification an an accountant, in 2004.
Since 1999 Elaine has worked with small businesses in several accountancy practices, finally becoming a practice manager in Peterborough. When she re-married and moved to Leicestershire Elaine decided to put her experience of running a practice to good use and started her own business in 2008.
Elaine said, ‘It was like jumping off a cliff and hoping the parachute would open’ something l had experienced before when l went back to college. Luckily it did and Elaine has slowly built the business.
Having worked with small businesses for the last 15 years Elaine has a good working knowledge of the issues that affect them and the problems they face and of course she is one herself!