The fearless single mother from a homeless woman at the age of 18 turned into an experienced market trader struggling with teenage villains to save her business.
"It is your desire that determines your success. I do not have any qualifications in business, but it was my desire that brought me here," the girl says.
How an inspiring single mother came from a homeless teenager to a business boss struggling to survive in the Birkenhead market
Emily Gleaves, 32, hit the news because of the first waste store she opened in the Birkenhead market last year. This allows customers to bring or buy reusable containers to take home food, skin care products and household cleaning products.
The kiosk has attracted customers from all over North Wales and Chester, but it was not an easy business idea. Although, she allowed Emily to get out of homelessness and leave her mark on all the news. The girl began to work as a consultant, and eventually opened her own store.
Emily funded the opening of her kiosk through crowdfunding and gradually increased her inventory. Despite the fact that she copes with this herself, she receives support, she is offered new job opportunities for young people and the homeless.
But, despite receiving positive feedback from customers, still there were problems: “There are things that I can’t control. This is difficult because people still smoke at the door or even indoors, and if it rains, it scares customers. "
New problems
The decline in popularity of the once-famous Birkenhead market is one of the most pressing problems facing the city.
Local business owners came up with creative ideas for modernizing the market: from a public art gallery to a vegan donut business. However, 92 stalls remain empty.
Emily says: “There are so many products that I want to buy. I would have made more money if it had been open longer, but Tuesday and Wednesday are completely dead days, so I don’t open the store at this time.”
She also launched an app to educate people on where to put waste.
Her business recently got a boost after it was shortlisted for a contest held by Heart Radio - he is participating in a cash prize game of £ 10,000 from Yorkshire Bank.
Emily said: "I can’t even explain where my energy comes from, mostly passion. I don’t know. I'm just doing things and doing it."
Conclusion
See how the girl burns with her work. Moreover, now this topic of waste is gaining popularity more and more. You need to have very little for such a business idea: just a fantasy and a desire to make the world a better place.