AN ALVECHURCH mum has launched a new arm to her candle business after being inspired by the village female entrepreneur network.

Sarah Deacon, mum of two, quit her job as a primary school teacher after losing the passion and flair for her once well-loved career.

Inspired by the bay tree in her back garden, Sarah has created a candle and wreath business named ‘The Bay Tree’ centred around her love for the homegrown bay.

After founding her new start-up business, Sarah joined The Gin and Pickles Network, run by shop owner and businesswoman Zoe Pawelczyk.

Sarah said: “I joined the network group not only to gain support for my business but to be around other like-minded women and gain more links in the village. 

“Now working alone, I missed being around others and having people to share ideas with and bounce off.

“The network group enabled me to gain support and advice in an industry that I am still new to.”

Zoe, owner of Gin and Pickles, a deli and gin shop in Alvechurch, set up the network earlier this year which now supports more than 26 women.

Through the group and conversations with a local photography business, Antje Farmer photography, Sarah decided to follow her passion for working with dried florals to develop The Bay Tree Florals, specialising in bespoke hair accessories for newborn photography.

Sarah added: “My new working life enabled me to act on this exciting new idea straight away and start making headbands with the flowers I use for my wreaths. 

“Antje now uses some of my floral headbands in her photoshoots and takes professional photographs of my products to use on social media and her website.

“Life is too short to be stuck in a job that makes you unhappy, you need to do what you love and love what you do.”