Unable to consider returning to his previous job, Kristian and Beckie spent years focusing on recovery and rehabilitation. But both wanted to escape a life on disability benefits.
“We could have quite easily and comfortably not worked, and lived off the benefits that we’d received,” Beckie said. “We had a discussion and decided that’s not how we wanted to move forward.”
Kristian added: “I’ve got a 15-year-old daughter as well, and we wanted to show her you can work, earn money and have a better life.”
It was a struggle to get started in business. The couple received a £20,000 start-up loan from the British Business Bank but said other lenders would not consider them.
“We don’t look great on paper, financially,” said Beckie. “Neither of us have bad credit, but we just didn’t have any money!”
A mentor from the bank advised them on the process of establishing the business, and was central to their journey back into work after depending on benefits since 2017.