When Gabrielle left school, she had no clear path in front of her. She spent four years as an unpaid carer, and while she felt it gave her purpose, the time out of work left her unsure about what she could do next. She had passion, talent and creativity, but she did not yet have the confidence to see how those qualities could build a future for her.
Things began to change when Gabby was put onto the Restart Scheme with Maximus. She was given the space to think about what she wanted from her life and what might be possible. She already had two interests that brought her joy. She picked up occasional cat-sitting jobs through an agency, and she spent her spare time illustrating children’s characters. At that point, she did not yet see these passions as something she could build a business around.
Following this, Gabby was referred to us at RIFT Social Enterprise for specialist self-employment support. This is where her journey really began to shift, from our very first conversation, it was clear that Gabby had something special. She had talent, warmth and a natural way with animals, but she needed support to turn those qualities into a structured business.
Together, we explored what it would look like for Gabby to be her own boss. We created a website together and talked through her ideas. We showed her how she could design her own logo, which reflected her personality perfectly, and we worked closely on her marketing so she could feel confident presenting her business to new clients. Our sessions focused not only on the practical skills of running a business but also on building her belief in herself as a business owner.
As the weeks went by, Gabby began to grow with not just business knowledge but confidence. Each time we spoke, there was something positive to celebrate. Her client list was growing. Her income was increasing. She was developing the confidence to make decisions, manage her bookings and shape her business exactly as she wanted it to be.
Today, Gabrielle proudly runs The Tabby and Gabby, offering cat-sitting services and children’s illustration under one creative brand. She loves the freedom of choosing her own hours and building a life that reflects who she is. What began as uncertainty after years of caring has now become a thriving business that continues to grow.
Gabrielle often describes her work as the best thing she has ever done, and watching her journey has been incredibly inspiring. She took her passions, added determination and accepted support at the right time. With guidance from RIFT Social Enterprise and the Restart Scheme, she has created a future she once struggled to imagine.