Since its launch in 1976, the Prince’s Trust charity has helped more than a million young people from disadvantaged communities gain essential life skills and job opportunities. OK! spoke to three woman with inspiring stories who owe their business success to the King.
“Twenty years ago, when I first tried to get my hair extensions business going, I asked the bank for a start-up loan. I went to the appointment smartly dressed and armed with a business plan I’d put together by myself. But I was laughed out of the door. I braided the hair of an Afro-Caribbean family friend into neat cornrows and learnt to use hair extensions.
I think they could see how passionate I was about my idea and it was great to be taken seriously. I was thrilled when I was awarded a £500 grant plus a £1,500 interest-free loan. I used the money for essentials such as setting up a phone line, website and card payment machine.