"I was unemployed for about 18 months after I graduated from university. I had completed an Illustration degree but couldn’t find any employment. I knew I wanted to use my design skills, and to set up my own business but I had no idea how to make it happen. My Dad put me in touch with The Prince’s Trust, and they suggested Enterprise."

Jade continues: "The four-day course was brilliant! Right from the start I felt like people really believed in me and were excited about my ideas. I decided I wanted to set up a greeting card company and from that very first day I knew I had the support of The Trust. After the course I went to launch panel and they provided me with a mentor.

"The first time I met Helen I was excited but nervous.  Over the course of the past year we have met once a month to talk about my ideas, my plans for building my business and how I can overcome challenges.

Helen has made me feel so much more confident, both personally and in business. She has taught me how to take my ideas from thought to reality, and has made me realise how much I have accomplished. 

"Having someone there to talk to regularly has been such a huge boost and I am doing things I never thought I would. I'm doing trade shows and selling my products face-to-face; something which seemed very daunting before.     

"My cards are now stocked in over 100 stores, including Liberty, and my business is going really well! For anyone who has the opportunity to be supported by a mentor, I would say definitely do it!"I am now supporting The Trust as a Young Ambassador myself, and it has been a brilliant experience. I am really lucky to be able to go back to the Enterprise course and talk to young people who are completing the programme as an inspirational speaker. I can use my story to help others and that is an amazing feeling. I have also been to other events with The Trust to talk about my business and the help I have received, and I have met some brilliant people.

I want to say thank you to my mentor Helen for everything she has done. It has been an incredible journey, and I am so glad that she has been a part of it.

Jade's mentor Helen has been volunteering with us for over two years. She has a background in psychology and Human Resources and is now a freelance coach and mentor. She also has a diploma in executive coaching and leadership mentoring (ILM 7).

Volunteer Helen Whitney   

"Jade's been an absolute pleasure to mentor. I am genuinely excited and positive about what she is doing and I also love her designs! There have been countless high moments; every time we meet she has some exciting news to share and I can tell that she has real passion.  

I have loved the opportunity to be a volunteer with The Trust. It is incredibly rewarding and it definitely keeps me on my toes. I have now come to the end of the mentoring relationship with Jade and it is sad to see it come to a close but I am excited to see where she goes next. Being Jade’s mentor has been an absolute privilege.