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Supporting and Empowering Single Parents to Achieve Their Business Professional and Personal Goals
Valerie's story (01 May 2008)
How I got to where I am
Valerie became a single parent at the age of 18. Although she and her partner – her first love, planned to have a child, the end result was Valerie becoming the main carer and breadwinner from the moment she was pregnant. Valerie was not born into money and all she has achieved she has done so by sheer motivation, focus and desire. “My daughter was and still is the major driving factor of why I work so hard. The over whelming love and need to protect and provide for my daughter from the moment she was born motivated me to reach my full potential. Being a parent and responsible for a child is no joke. From that moment on I made it my duty to make sure that she had everything – love, a nice home, money and access to every opportunity available to her “ Valerie knows about struggling on benefits, financing childcare and the value of education. “I left Catholic school with 10 GCSE’s. I’ve always been quite academic but was really disillusioned with the education system. My daughter was a true blessing as I had to evaluate my life, look at what I had achieved and put my qualifications to good use” This resulted in Valerie achieving A level’s in Sociology and English, Training to become a qualified childcare worker and obtaining a BA Honors degree 2:1 in Human and Education Studies as well as a Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching in Further Education at Nottingham Trent University. “Living in a council flat in a deprived area had its benefits. I used my head and took all the opportunities open to me regarding help – not a lot but some, with childcare costs. I quickly moved out of that area into a better area as I knew it was important for my daughter to grow up in a thriving environment. In fact I moved three times in a few years! I got the house I wanted. I held down two part time jobs whilst studying full time for my degree and post graduate study in order to support my daughter and I. Whilst everyone else was out spending their student loan on alcohol and their social lives, I was thinking how can I turn this into more money?” Valerie’s big breaks happened after University. The hard work paid off. She secured employment straight after managing a community centre and lecturing on childcare and education in the community. She also worked professionally for five years at a Further Education college specialising in vocational alternative curriculum for 14-16 year olds. She brought her first house in her twenties, renovated it completely and did the same again! “My journey has been one of sacrifice, determination and focus. How can I tell my daughter to aim high and that she can be anything you want to be without setting that example myself? I had to follow my dreams.” Valerie has made the successful journey from professional employee to business owner and entrepreneur. Watching her daughter flourish at school and in her extra curricular activities made her re-evaluate her life. “I have always encouraged my daughter to follow her passions whatever they were. I had reached a place in employment where I was no longer satisfied or felt encouraged to do more. I had to make a change, take risks and do something I believed in and felt truly passion about. That’s why I started LPN. I’ve experienced many personal adversities and challenges in my life. I could write a book on what I’ve been through which may shock you! Regardless I had a burning desire to achieve my goals and I took action to make them come true. Goes to show that your child or children can be the reason you achieve and aim high, not the reason you don’t. Vist LPN's Company Director profile (Single parents in business)
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