When Liz Steel and Jacqui Rooney, the hard-working brains and brawn behind DIY Divas, decided to take the plunge and establish their own all-female painting, decorating and garden tidy business last year, they were heading for unknown territory.

Liz, from Mungal Farm, Bainsford, is a chef manager on North Sea oil rigs.

She said: "Working two weeks on, doing 12-hour days, without being able to go outside very often, can be tough. That's why I jumped at the chance to set up DIY Divas, because when I get my three weeks off it allows me to do the things I love and it gets me out in the open."

Jacqui, from Bo'ness, said: "I was a home care manager for Falkirk Council for 13 years and got to the point where I wanted a change.

"Liz and I have always been handy about the house and garden so I suggested we set up an all-female DIY service."

The business only got off the ground after the women attended a workshop at Business Gateway's Grangemouth office.

Jacqui said: "The workshop was really useful and helped us decide setting up on our own was the right thing to do. Since then Business
Gateway has continued to be a great help to us."

Cameron Ferguson, Business Gateway business adviser, said: "DIY Divas is the perfect example of how Business Gateway can help turn the dream of working for yourself into a reality.

"Through our free workshop programme and one-to-one advice we are able to help entrepreneurs like Jacqui and Liz go it alone, turning their business idea into a successful, thriving enterprise despite the tough economic climate."

DIY Divas has seen an increase in business over the last few months thanks to word-of-mouth recommendations from happy clients.

"I think the extra wee bit we do for people makes the difference," said Liz. "We'll clear a room and put it back the way it was beforehand so you don't have to do it yourself. Jacqui has even brought along some of her home cooking for clients.

"A lot of our customers say they are more comfortable dealing with women – we've even been entrusted to do jobs for customers when they are away on holiday. Sometimes we have even looked after their dogs while they were away."