<
p>A star of the hit TV show The Apprentice has gambled a fortune on an ex-bankrupt woman in light of a new property venture.
Former finalist of the BBC's The Apprentice, Neil Clough, has backed an ex-bankrupt woman with her new venture in the property sector.
London-based Nicola Kelly, of Willow Tree Home Boutique, based on Green Lane in Warrington has won £10,000 of investment from the Apprentice star, who has a history within property-based projects, including Rightmove.
The new project, The Willow Tree Home Boutique, a home furnishing business, won Mr Clough's backing by being crowned winner of a start-up competition which featured panelists from a variety of different backgrounds.
Mr Clough sprung into the spotlight last year, when he featured on the BBC business sensation, eventually falling just short of winning the competition after being fired in the final episodes.
The 30-year-old impressed a panel which also included, Foundation for Peace Chief Executive Nick Taylor and Managing Director of Plus 24 Marketing, David Walker.
Nicola is confident her prize of £10,000 will help her make a success of the business, based in Padgate.
Speaking on the news, 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.”
Also commenting, 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.”
Nicola fell into bankruptcy after she found herself in mortgage arrears. She said: “I was left with a large mortgage to pay on my own but was only earning a minimum wage. I knew I couldn’t keep up the payments so I sent the keys back to the mortgage company but years later I got a bill for over £40,000 as there was a shortfall after the property was sold.
“There was no way I could pay back that sort of money so I had no choice but to go bankrupt.”
A star of the hit TV show The Apprentice has gambled a fortune on a ex-bankrupt woman in light of a new property venture.
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