Passion is inspiration behind job

Michaela Kempson knows that a girl can never have too many handbags.

The 35-year-old loves her arm candy and has decided to set up her own on-line business called Betsy's Boutique to try to appeal to like-minded women everywhere.

And she hopes that, in the midst of the credit crunch, women will still be looking to cheer themselves up with a fashion accessory that won't break the bank. It's not just handbags she sells. Shoes and jewellery also feature as Michaela attempts to attract shoppers away from department stores and on to the internet.

It is the first business venture for Michaela, of Stow Heath, Wolverhampton, who decided to become her own boss while on maternity leave.

She launched last month and says she is confident that in difficult times she can make her business a success by keeping prices low.

The mother-of-three, who named the boutique after her middle name Betsy, which was also her great grandmother's name, said: "I hadn't worked for around 18 months after having my third child and it was then that I started thinking about what I could do career-wise. I'd always been keen to run my own business and I've always had a passion for stylish handbags, shoes and jewellery, so I thought why not make a career out of selling such items? I thought it was natural thing for me to do.

"And with me just having a baby I thought it would be great if I could work from home."

Michaela turned to Business Link, based at Wolverhampton Science Park, for advice and before she knew she was running her own online company. She eventually hopes to transfer the business to a real High Street shop. Her handbags range from £9.99 to £39.99 and shoes from £7.99 to £34.99. Visit www.betsysboutique.co.uk for details.

By Maria Cusine.