Inspire’s Youth Employment Service has helped 17-year-old Shannon find her passion – and turn it into her own business.
Shannon’s mum contacted YES on her behalf, and she soon started sessions with Youth Employment Coach Laura.
During their coaching sessions, they looked at various career opportunities, as well as improving Shannon’s confidence and helping her gain experience by exploring volunteer opportunities at EACH, an opportunity she really embraced.
But it was when she mentioned she was looking after a cat for her mum’s friend that her passion for animals shone through.
“I thought, hang on, I could do something with this,” Shannon said, and from there she started to develop her own business as a dog walker and pet sitter.
“Laura helped me out with business tips and helped me sort out getting insurance,” Shannon added.
Laura also connected her with a program for self-employment support to help her refine her business strategy, and added that Shannon then took the initiative to start designing pamphlets, and look in to relevant courses.
Now her business is steadily growing, and she has a loyal base of new and returning clients who often book her services weeks in advance.
Laura said: “Shannon should be incredibly proud of herself for turning her passion into a thriving business from the ground up.”
“It’s got bigger and bigger and it’s something I want to carry on growing,” Shannon said. “I really do enjoy it.”
Shannon added her thanks to Inspire and the YES service, praising how her journey was supported.
“I’d recommend their services, [the YES team] were really great at helping you figure out what you want to do, and how you go through the process of doing it.”
Find out more about the YES service here.
Also read: ‘Inspire’s support showed me I am capable of more than I thought’
‘Inspire helped me believe I am capable of doing anything my heart desires’
‘Inspire’s Yes programme allowed me to be me again’
