A YOUNG Broadway woman says if you have determination you can succeed in anything you want to do and has started her own business despite leaving school with no qualifications.

Lucie Allen, of Collin Lane, had a few different jobs before deciding to travel the world for two years when she was 23.

Two years later she returned home and after being undecided about the future her family suggested using her love of dogs by training to be a dog groomer.

"I looked around at several courses and fell lucky as a grooming academy had opened in Evesham so I contacted them and went on the course in the evenings. This was a real eye opener and very interesting and also challenging," she said.

After gaining her City and Guilds qualifications, Lucie decided she wanted to work for herself but was nervous about starting out.

"I spent a couple of years grooming family and friends' dogs to build my confidence. I practised on as many different breeds as I could - around 15 different breeds between us - so this helped a lot," she explained.

"Recently I set up my own grooming parlour in Broadway and I love it. Dog grooming now has become my life and my passion. My whole life revolves around dogs.

"I have tried to take a different approach with my parlour and make it as relaxed and calm as possible. I only have one cage in case of any emergencies but a lovely pink sofa for the dogs to sit on. I have a TV and also music on for the dogs when they come in and a lovely area for dogs to play outside whilst they wait.

"I try and keep it to a maximum of just two dogs in the parlour at once so I can give them my undivided attention. The dogs always get the full works starting off with a good brush out, nails clipped then a bath and dry then a clip and re-style if required then the choice of a perfume and a pretty bow. I always take time out to chat to my customers and have built some wonderful relationships with them and every day I work is a complete joy.

"Someone once said to me at school that I would never get anywhere in life so I am super proud I have my own business. It has been hard setting it up and the cost has been high but worth every penny," she said.

"Anything in life is possible if you put your mind to it. It is extremely hard and challenging but if you tell yourself you can do it you really can. I would eventually love my business to grow and maybe take on someone in the future.

"I also want to help someone else by donating a free dog grooming prize to any charity raffle. I can be contacted through my website: www.Broadwaygroomers.co.uk