A PADDINGTON mum-of-three who has launched her own business after fighting back from bankruptcy has been crowned the winner of a start-up competition.

Nicola Kelly has won £10,000 worth of help from former Apprentice star Neil Clough’s company NWC Consultancy as she launches her home furnishing business The Willow Tree Home Boutique.

The 30-year-old wowed the panel which included Neil, Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace chief executive Nick Taylor and managing director of Plus 24 Marketing David Walker.

Nicola is confident the £10,000 worth of business support she has won will help her make a success of the boutique, based on Green Lane, Padgate.

She said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have won the competition. I can’t believe it. Neil’s support is exactly what the business needs.

“I love the creative side but I’m a novice as far as running the business is concerned. I’ve never been in retail before and it’s a very steep learning curve.”

Neil added: “Nicola has faced an uphill struggle to get her business off the ground.

“It’s a sign of her determination and enthusiasm that The Willow Tree Home Boutique is up and running. I’m very excited about working with someone with such drive and passion.”