Vicky Corcoran and Craig Hailes

Shared by emma_kate Make Your Mark team

After finishing university, Vicky and Craig found themselves with student debt to repay and no obvious route of employment. Inspiration can strike in the most unlikely places, however, and the popular ITV soap Emmerdale would hold the answer.

The couple had studied very different subjects (Criminology and Sport Science), and struggled to find employers who valued both their degrees. Still, Vicky and Craig were determined to enter the world of work side by side and, with a little help from Emmerdale, began to consider setting up a company of their own.

The soap inspired the pair to set up the first of two successful businesses, ‘Rent A Bod’, soon followed by ‘The Small Animal Hotel’. Vicky saw that one of the characters on Emmerdale owned a business doing odd jobs and thought that in reality a service like would be not only useful, but successful too. Vicky remembers, “In Emmerdale one of the characters was running this business that involved doing odd jobs for people like painting, gardening and pet care. It seemed to work and I thought to myself, we could do that.” Inspired, Vicky and Craig went to see their local business adviser the very next day, and haven’t looked back since.

Once they had decided on a business plan, the couple set out to get funding. Getting a start-up loan from the Prince’s Trust and a grant from Fresh Start helped the couple buy equipment and a vehicle, whilst also covering advertising costs. Rent A Bod is now a well-established business with individuals and companies who want to get property maintenance jobs done without the stress and inconvenience. Vicky and Craig aim to “to take the hassle out of everyday living”, and offer a comprehensive service which covers maintenance, refurbishment, garden design and landscaping.

With one successful business under their belt, Vicky and Craig moved into the relatively new but fast-expanding animal hotel industry. The Small Animal Hotel lets owners leave their pets in a safe, luxurious environment while they move house or enjoy a holiday.

The couple have already won Business Link, Knowsley Economic Forum, and Knowsley Council Expansion awards, and was invited to meet Prince Charles to talk about their experiences in enterprise. With the successes of Vicky and Craig’s businesses, they have proved that with energy and imagination, you can turn any passion into a profitable business.