A YOUNG woman who set up her own business after being made redundant is encouraging other job seekers to follow her lead.

Budding entrepreneur Vic-toria Jones, 20, from Canvey, lost her job when Woolworths closed in 2008.

However, rather than fearing for her future, Victoria decided she would go it alone and began selling fashion accessories at car boot sales and schools fetes.

Since then, Lottie’s Trinkets has gone from strength to strength and Victoria now has a full-time stall at the Knightswick Centre, in Furtherwick Road, Canvey, and dreams of opening her own shop.

She said people who are unemployed should back themselves to succeed.

Victoria added: “I suppose I was a bit naive in the beginning, but with university fees going up so much, being made redundant and not being able to find a job for so long, I felt like it was my only option.

“Not being able to work really got me down – not having that little bit of self-respect and responsibility.

“It is such a shame so many people are afraid to start their own businesses, especially in times like these when jobs are hard to come by and they could be making their own opportunities. You just need to have a bit of confidence in yourself.”

The young businesswoman is encouraging other people to follow in her footsteps and has even given talks on her success.

She started Lottie’s Trinkets last June and is already planning to expand the business.

She is considering having her own homemade concessions stands to help others in the area promote their merchandise.

She said: “Everything is going so well and of course I would love to move into my own shop and beyond. People on Canvey are so friendly and I am pleased they have taken so well to me and my stall.”

Lottie’s Trinkets sells a wide variety of jewellery, handbags and now Belgian chocolates.

For more information, call Victoria on 07540 396886.