A former Royal Navy dental nurse and mum-of-two has signed up nearly 200 customers to her new healthcare business just nine months after launching.

Self-proclaimed "girl boss" Gemma Brown, 42, from Droitwich Spa, transitioned from her role in the Royal Navy to becoming the head of a Foot Health Practitioner.

Ms Brown, who is mother to George, 18, and Bertie, 5, worked part-time as a dental nurse, but after growing aspirations for further success she launched a business in healthcare.

 

 

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She said: "My youngest son nearly died because he was really premature.

"Now that he's a bit older I thought 'I don't want to do what I'm doing all the time, I want a new career, I want to be a bit more successful, I want to provide more for my children, I just want to make our lives better'."

To accomplish her goal, Ms Brown joined online learning platform learndirect's Level 3 Foot Health Care Practitioner Diploma in September 2021, which she completed over 18 months while balancing with work and parenting.

She said: "There's no way I could have gone to college or university with work and children, it just wouldn't have happened, so being able to do it online the way it is, is just perfect for anyone older and wanting a new career, especially if you've got a family as well, it just makes life a bit easier."

Worcester News: Ms Brown qualified after completing learndirect's Level 3 Foot Health Care Practitioner Diploma

Ms Brown valued the flexible and affordable approach of learndirect, spending evenings studying while still working full-time.

The ability to spread course costs over monthly payments was beneficial for her, especially in the rise of the cost of living.

Business is indeed booming for the Worcestershire mum, who has netted contracts from three nursing homes, a home for cerebral palsy, and Autism West Midlands, a charity close to her heart as her son lives with autism.

Ms Brown said: "[My business has grown] a lot quicker than I thought it would – it’s crazy.

"I never thought for one minute that I would be in the position that I am now.

"The support [from learndirect] was so much, I would definitely recommend it to anybody."