A 23-year-old woman is beating the credit crunch after setting up her own painting and decorating business. Reporter Katie Cooksey met Nikki Fitzpatrick to find out the story behind her success.

DESPITE gaining good grades at GCSE, Nikki Fitzpatrick knew she wanted to swap further education for the world of work – she just wasn't sure what job she wanted to do.

So while her friends from Blythe Bridge High School went on to college and university, Nikki started the search for her true vocation.

She was taking odd jobs when her parents asked her to help decorate their house in Stallington Road, Blythe Bridge – a lightbulb moment for Nikki.

She enjoyed the work so much she decided to set up her own painting and decorating business and now, at the age of 23, she is successfully self-employed in a predominantly male industry.

She said: "Three years after leaving school I got involved with my parents' decorating and thought it would be a really interesting job.

"It's really rewarding when you go into a drab room and turn a mess into something that looks new and lovely.

"I gained the necessary qualifications and set up the business two years ago and it's gone from strength to strength."

To gain the skills necessary for the job, Nikki took an NVQ in painting and decorating with Shelton-based PM Training and went on to a Level 3 qualification in specialist wallpapering at Burslem College.

She borrowed £1,400 to buy a van and equipment – a loan she has already paid off.

Her first job was to decorate a bathroom for a friend of a friend and for the past two years she has built up a large client base relying solely on word of mouth.

Nikki said: "The course taught me the basics of running a business and I got a lot of work experience at a decorating company, it was very vocational.

"I was so proud after my first job and work poured in after that.

"Now I'm fully booked for the next three months.

"I think during the recession if people can't sell their house they are thinking they will decorate it instead.

"It's an advantage that I'm a woman because elderly or vulnerable people feel better letting a woman into their home, and people have commented that I'm tidier than men.

"I don't feel like I missed out on university because I enjoy what I'm doing so much. In fact I've got a head start and don't have any student debts either."

Dad Phil said: "I'm really proud Nikki's done so well. I wasn't worried when she decided not to carry on at school because she's always had some get up and go and I knew she'd make her own way."

Training officials say people can survive and flourish in the recession by adapting their skills.

Will Nixon, chief executive of PM Training, said: "Nikki is a great example of someone being given a second chance and shows just where learning new skills and taking new qualifications can take you."