Rebecca Holder, a graduate with a first class honours degree in illustration and animation from Coventry University decided it was time to turn her skills into a job for herself after spending months trying to find employment with little success.

She decided to start an online handmade merchandise and craft company called The Emporium Oundle selling quality, ethically sourced, handmade craft.

With the help of Princes Trust, she got a grant of £250 in their “Will it work?” followed by £2,000 loan from the organisation in March.

With the funds, she was able to create The Emporium Oundle website and source a diverse range of artisans’ work, with the emphasis on unique, ethically sound, high quality items.

On starting up, she said “The first challenge I faced was signing up fellow graduates, friends and neighbours to create an array of handmade merchandise that I could sell on my website. But with so many young people unable to find work at the moment, I soon found willing suppliers to work with me and my business.”

“Initially it was a very daunting process as I had no idea about how to run a business. However, with the support of family, friends and third parties such as The Prince’s Trust and Simply Business, I have significantly improved my understanding of how to manage a company. It’s been a steep learning curve but I’m having a great time and enjoying the challenge”.

She currently sells high quality crafts ranging from soaps made from a woman’s garden herbs through to candles, bags, stationery, jewellery and many other unusual, quality gift items on her online website.

Rebecca offers a gift box and gift wrapping service, with boxes made from UK recycled card, handmade gift tags and hand written notes and cards provided to add that personal touch to ensure the highest levels of customer service.