LIFESTYLE CASE STUDY
“I want to maintain my independence and have a successful career in my own right. The name ‘Unsung Hero’ is the perfect title for the University of Wolverhampton’s Armed Forces Dependants’ Business Start-Up Programme. The course is tailored to meet the needs of a service spouse and addresses the difficulties many of us have experienced in maintaining traditional employment,” said Holly Savage participant of cohort six.
Case Study
Holly Savage and her husband, who serves in the RAF, met ten years ago in their home town St Austell, Cornwall while Holly was studying Graphic Design at the University of Southampton. Holly successfully completed her degree but found it hard to secure work in her chosen field. Instead, Holly applied to work with Lloyds Bank and began a career as a financial account manager. Holly rented privately to be near her partner based at RAF Cosford and progressed quickly at the bank, taking training courses in lending and accounts. When her partner was posted to Fort Blockhouse in Gosport, Holly applied for a transfer with Lloyds Bank and moved to Fareham where she continued to enjoy a successful career. After a short engagement Holly married and moved into service accommodation at RAF Odiham.
“It was nice to be married and feel part of the RAF community. I wanted to remain working for Lloyds Bank but after I moved to RAF Odiham I was promised a transfer closer to home, which after ten months still hadn’t materialised. The commute was an hour each way to get to work, it cost a fortune and I was working Monday to Saturday of every week. This forced me to look for something closer
to home. I applied for a role with ‘A Plan’ Insurance a national insurance brokers and started work at one of their regional offices in Farnham, not far from RAF Odiham and I loved it,” said Holly.
Holly really enjoyed her role at ‘A Plan’ and quickly became an integral part of the southern regional team, developing her skills and knowledge of financial services. However, it was not long before her husband received his next posting order which, this time took them to RAF Shawbury. “This move
Holly Savage, founder of Rocks Designs
of the programme. The organisers were very approachable and helpful and immediately made me feel positive. This was very different to an experience I had before on a business course I paid to attend. The course instructors are motivating and realistic too. They understand the complexities of service life and offer practical advice such as how to register your business if running it from a married quarter, “ said Holly.
proved to be the hardest. “I was five months pregnant and a few months away from taking maternity leave. When we moved I had to leave my role as I was unable to transfer due to the nearest A Plan regional office being a 50 minute commute from RAF Shawbury.
I
found it extremely hard because I enjoyed my job and working for A Plan so much. I lost my maternity pay and had to give up the idea of finding a new job until after the baby was born. I also found it hard to meet friends as I no longer had a work bubble,” said Holly.
Not one to sit around waiting for a knock on her door, Holly paid for antenatal classes and found a group of likeminded women who she became friends with. With their support and the support of her husband she began to look at new career options and chose to focus on graphic design. During recent years Holly used her design skills to create personalised gifts for family and friends and had often considered selling her design work.
“I heard about the business start-up programme for Dependants and decided to take the opportunity by enrolling on cohort six
40 Envoy Autumn 2014
Holly gave birth to a baby boy in July 2014 and has continued to develop her business in personalised gifts. “The course tutors are very helpful and I have benefitted from one to one and group mentoring sessions. I now have a registered business and a social media profile. I have also sold several designs recently and put my gifts into a local shop. I can gradually develop my business around the needs of my little boy. The University also commissioned me to produce the official invitation to their anniversary celebration later this year. I now have a new network of people I have met through the course who I feel I can ask anything without being made to feel stupid. The on going support, following the initial four day programme, is priceless and I am confident that I can build my hobby into a business,” said Holly, founder of Rocks Design.
Rocks Design is a graphic design business specialising in personalised gifts. For further information or to make contact with Holly, email
holly@rocksdesign.co.uk or find her online
www.rocksdesign.co.uk Facebook and Twitter.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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