Businesswoman opens Pretty Stitch Company and takes on role at Silverwood Garden Centre in Long Sutton

A green-fingered former project manager has swapped the corporate world for a garden centre to start an embroidery printing business.

Ellie Corcoran-Drewry, from Sutton St James, was made redundant from her role in corporate project management and had been struggling to find work since.

She has taken a leap of faith — swapping a desk for the great outdoors — by joining the team at Silverwood Garden Centre, Long Sutton, buying and selling plants, while hiring a unit at the site to run her own Pretty Stitch Company.

Ellie, 26, said: “Four weeks ago I was made redundant from my corporate role.

“I struggled to get a job which I had never experienced before - the job market is crazy.

“I was applying for hundreds of jobs and not hearing back.”

Describing the period of being unemployed as ‘pretty scary with a mortgage to pay’, her luck has changed since being offered work at the garden centre.

Alongside the owner, she will be buying and selling plants and running her embroidery printing business.

Ellie said: “It is a breath of fresh air to get out of the corporate world.

“I have always been a creative person and loved my arts and crafts.

“I was sitting on my bum working from home - now this is all outdoors and I will be on my feet getting lots of vitamin D.”

The entrepreneur sees the two businesses working well together.

During the summer she will buy and sell plants from suppliers in the area and her embroidery printing will enable her to continue during the winter.

Ellie, who is married to Dan, appreciates the support she has received from her family and in-laws.

She said: “My husband and parents have really been supportive.

“I want to thank them.

“It is really taking a leap of faith.”