A precious gift inspires a female entrepreneur.
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Barking based Padma Sadnani was inspired to become self-employed by a gift she had received nine years ago.
“I received a thoughtful gift with my mother’s picture engraved at the front and father’s picture on the back. It was very emotional for me, as I had lost both my parents,” says Padma.
Having worked 15 years as a secretary in London before being made redundant and then working in a casino, she had no experience in running a business and came to East London Small Business Centre for help in starting-up.
“Starting up my own business was something new to me and I felt I should get all the information and advice available. I did a four-day training course which gave me lots of useful information on starting up a business.”
After completing the four-day course, Padma was assigned to a business counsellor to help her develop her idea into a viable business and worked with her in applying for a £8,500 start-up loan to get her business off the ground.
“My business counsellor helped me with a business plan. This helped me understand and plan my business further i.e. the finance, the market and my competitors, and be aware of the challenges facing me when starting a business.”
Within the first year Padma’s business, Precious Moments Captured, came runner up in two business award categories at the Barking and Dagenham Business Awards, as well as being commended for the Customer Service Award at the London Thames Gateway Awards.
A sole trader and running for two years, Padma’s business Precious Moments Captured has been a success. “My business venture is all about engraving photo images, logos or messages onto Gifts – inspired by the gift I received all those years ago,” explains Padma.
Published August 2010
