When I was growing up, people told me that I wasn’t going to amount to anything. I developed anxiety and didn’t think I fitted in anywhere, which made it hard for me to hold down a job. 

One day, I decided I had to make a change. I talked it over with my husband and made some plans to sell sweets, hoping this idea would help me to provide for my family. 

I knew that I was going to need help if I wanted to make a success of the business. That’s where The Prince’s Trust came in. I threw myself into the Enterprise programme and from the moment I started it I loved every minute and knew it was for me.

It wasn’t long before I set up my business, Pod Coffee based in Andoversford, Cheltenham. I started off selling coffee and cake from a kiosk which over the past three years has turned into serving breakfast, lunch and food platters. 

I feel a huge sense of achievement when I look at my income and think about how far I’ve come. My brand is evolving and growing thanks to the help and support of other business people who I’ve met through The Trust. I have a very exciting year ahead as I am currently undergoing a rebrand and now looking to expand. 

To be invited to share my story with others as a Young Ambassador is such a privilege, and I hope that I have helped others to feel less alone by sharing my experiences. I feel extremely emotional as I reach the end of the most remarkable 18 months of my life. Becoming a Young Ambassador for The Prince’s Trust made me feel something I’ve never felt before – I am so proud. 

With the help of The Trust the possibilities are endless and if I hadn’t had made that initial contact, I really don’t know what I would be doing today.

Donna features in our latest L'Oréal Paris #WorthSharing brand film. Watch on our YouTube channel.