Gabby fulfils her self-employment dreams
Before joining the Restart Scheme, Gabrielle, 28, had been unemployed for four years while caring for her friends.
During this time, she relied on flexible work, earning an income through cat sitting in her spare time, while her background in children’s illustration remained a passion.
Gabrielle said: “Five years ago I left university not knowing where I would be. I dreamt of becoming a children’s illustrator, but as a full-time carer to my friends, I found it really, really tough. I didn’t know what I was doing. I wasn’t getting the support I needed, and it was quite lonely.”
In need of additional support, she joined the scheme in February 2024 where she was supported by our partners, Greenwich Local Labour and Business (GLLaB), who deliver the scheme on our behalf in Greenwich.
After meeting her dedicated Employment Advisor, Safia Faqay, she expressed an interest in turning her love for animals and skills in illustration into a successful career.
Safia referred her to one of our Community Partnership Network (CPN) members, RIFT Social Enterprise, for specialist self-employment support. Comprising 400 public, private and voluntary sector organisations across the country, the CPN delivers a range of integrated services, ensuring participants can access the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.
Daisy Mills, Head of Business and Enterprise at RIFT Social Enterprise, explained: “It’s crucial for us to work closely with Maximus as part of the CPN to keep them informed about the participant’s self-employment journey. This collaboration allows us to provide a comprehensive wraparound service that truly benefits the participant.”
Parrisse Rossiter, Business Start-Up Advisor at RIFT Social Enterprise, added: “When Gabrielle first came to us, she was already dedicated, but we were able to help her take her business to the next level, showing her how to think beyond just getting clients, but also building a sustainable, long-term business model.”
Through regular weekly sessions with the team, Gabrielle developed her personal brand, designed a logo, built a professional website, and created marketing strategies to promote her business and attract new customers.
Gabrielle added: “My biggest barrier to starting my business was not knowing how to do it. I had never done it before, so I was pretty much winging it. I also struggled with finding regular clients. Meeting with the team at Maximus was a game-changer.”
As her cat-sitting business began to grow, Gabrielle found a way to incorporate her love of illustration and her skills in art by offering custom pet portraits to her clients.
“It’s been amazing combining my two passions -illustration and cat sitting. Before, my dream was to be a full-time children’s illustrator, but turning cat sitting into my main career has been so much more fulfilling.”
With her newfound confidence and improved business skills, Gabrielle has now built herself a network of clients and a growing social media presence. She can now enjoy the flexibility of running her own business, without the constraints of fixed working hours.
Jane Auger, Team leader for the Restart Scheme at Greenwich Local Labour and Business, said: “Since becoming full-time self-employed in March, Gabrielle has kept us updated on her progress over the last six months. We are continuing to provide support, checking in with her regularly to track her progress and see if there’s anything she needs. Each time we speak, her earnings and client base have grown, and she’s incredibly happy with what she’s doing.”
Gabrielle is excited to see what the future holds: “Now that this is my full-time job, it’s just amazing. I can set my own hours and be my own boss, and I absolutely love that. If you’re thinking about starting your own business, don’t hold back. The Restart Scheme has truly changed my life. What was once just a side hustle is now a full-time job, and it’s been amazing.”
