Isobel becomes an entrepeneur . . . at 72

A RETIRED nurse has battled all the odds to fulfil her dream of becoming an entrepreneur — at the age of 72.

Fiesty businesswoman Isobel Foster turned to her creative talents to set up an arts and crafts empire in Inverclyde, but faced an uphill struggle to get others to believe in her vision.

But while the experts turned their backs on her, she found a friend in upcoming business project BizzFizz, based in Port Glasgow.

Now, together with her daughter Lydia, she hopes to tap into grants that will allow her to reach out to children and others in the community who cannot afford access to the arts.

The Skelmorlie business tycoon, who was formerly a director of nursing, said: “When you go to Scottish Enterprise they don’t want to know you if you are over 19. It is very hard to get support. The financial backing is not there.”

She set up her business, which gives people the opportunity to make their own ceramics and cards, more than two years ago.

The mother and daughter team hit brick walls in their attempts to grow the business until BizzFizz stepped in to help them make a success of new premises in Port Glasgow.

Isobel said: “I always liked decorating and making things. We set this up when I retired.

“BizzFizz has just been brilliant. They have helped us in so many ways.

“Now they are helping us to get funding to set up groups for people who can’t afford to come along.

“We want to be part of the community in Port Glasgow. For the first time someone wanted to do something for us.”

BizzFizz coach Lynda Kelly set up earlier this year in Port Glasgow’s regeneration centre 7½ John Wood Street.

Her aim is to give people the confidence to follow their entrepreneurial dreams. Isobel and Lydia’s Crafty Cards and Ceramics enterprise is her first major success.

Lynda said: “Isobel’s business says everything about what we are trying to achieve. Our ultimate aim is to open more businesses in Port Glasgow’s town centre.”

BizzFizz uses a panel of local experts to help put people on the road to business success.