When Nicole Carter launched a new business in Derbyshire, she quickly realised other women were also discovering a different career direction.
Fiona Stubbs meets the ladies doing business on their own terms
Nicole Carter could never have imagined the life she now loves, leading high-quality carpet cleaning business, Mrs Carter’s Carpets – with clients throughout the Peak District.
“At the age of 26, I was living the corporate life,” recalls Australian-born Nicole. “I was a project manager, had an apartment in Sydney and, with a group of girlfriends, would spend evenings drinking cocktails on rooftop bars. I remember fondly walking over the Sydney harbour bridge to and from work every day.”
Life changed with marriage and the arrival of her three children. After a difficult first pregnancy and birth 15 years ago, Nicole’s priorities shifted. “I felt so grateful and lucky to be able to have kids and wanted to be there for them,” she says.
The family moved to Matlock in 2021, with Nicole still enjoying life as a housewife until a disastrous stomach bug struck – creating the inspiration for a whole new business.
Unable to find the carpet cleaning service she wanted for her own home, Nicole launched Mrs Carter’s Carpets – offering top tier treatments and equipment with exceptional service and attention to detail.
“The remarkable thing about Mrs Carter’s Carpets is that I really, really love it,” says Nicole. “I enjoy working with people and never expected that being a carpet cleaner could be such meaningful work.
“I’ve had a lot of projects required by people who are experiencing very difficult times, some among the older generation who are anxious about having strangers in their home.
“It brings me a sense of happiness to leave a home, having made someone comfortable and gently, quietly helping them with something they are embarrassed of or just don’t want to face. I also have the pleasure of cleaning some absolutely gorgeous houses.
“Carpet cleaning never occurred to me as a career until the little ones were poorly – everywhere – and I couldn’t find a female carpet cleaner. It has brought me so much satisfaction. My customers are a joy to work for.”
She adds: “It’s also been an opportunity to see life differently. I want my daughter to know that, even if she does something for 20 years, she can still change direction.
“As my working life took a new direction, I began to notice other women also making changes – forging meaningful, satisfying careers on their own terms.”
Helen Hunt
“I never set out to start a business – but the hardest chapters lead us to where we’re meant to be,” says Helen, who runs The Holistic Dragonfly in Matlock.
Helen discovered complementary therapy Reiki – used to help reduce stress and anxiety and to encourage relaxation – when her mum was being treated for cancer.
Helen explains: “During her chemotherapy, she received Reiki and I saw first-hand the comfort and calm it brought her during one of the most difficult times of her life. It gave her a moment’s peace when everything else felt overwhelming and those moments stayed with me.
“When my mum passed away, I completely lost myself. I wasn’t just grieving her loss; I was trying to figure out who I was without her. My mental health deteriorated, I left my job and I questioned everything. I felt as though the future I once knew had completely disappeared.
“At a time when my mind was constantly racing and I was searching for something to hold on to, Reiki brought me a deep sense of calm. It helped me slow down, reconnect with myself and begin the gentle process of healing. It felt like the first step toward finding myself again.
“It inspired me to train in Reiki – and today I still have moments where I have to pinch myself. In my first year of business, I was recognised as one of the UK Top 10 Holistic Therapists of the Year and UK Top 10 Wellness Practitioners of the Year 2025. In my second year, I have been shortlisted as a finalist for Best New Business 2026, and I’ve written two e-books on how Self-Reiki can support you at home.”
Helen, who also offers crystal light therapy adds: “I meet the most incredible people and have the privilege of supporting clients through their own challenges, healing journeys and moments of change. My journey started with grief, but it has grown into something filled with purpose, connection, and love.”
https://theholisticdragonfly.wixsite.com/reiki / @the_holistic_dragonfly
Teresa and Suzanne Whittaker
Sisters Teresa and Suzanne grew up in Matlock, launching their boutique of hand-crafted, vintage-inspired women’s fashion, Bella Figura, in 2012 – just a couple of streets away from their childhood home.
Creative director Teresa has a background in museum education and exhibitions while fashion designer Suzanne previously worked in retail.
Teresa says: “My career change was due to under-investment in the arts at the time – I’d had a succession of temporary contracts that required relocating every few years and a sense of community and proximity to family and friends started to be more important than career ambition. I’d never had a permanent contract or job security so it felt like there was little to lose and much to gain in supporting my sister to create her dream business.”
Suzanne adds: “I’ve always enjoyed retail, customer service and visual merchandising work – but also wanted to make full use of my practical design and making skills that I worked hard to hone through college and university. I’ve always had an ambition to have my own business and make my own carefully crafted garments – it’s much more satisfying to have control over your own direction, relationships with suppliers and what products to sell.
“Teresa and I have been playing shop and dressing each other up in eccentric clothing since we were kids and have always been friends and confidantes. We had trust in our partnership, our complementary skills and our tenacity to make things work.
“We’re proud to be a slow-fashion business, based on high-quality fabrics, bespoke design and micro-production.”
Instagram: @bellafigurashop
Eileen Mills
Eileen and her husband moved from Hertfordshire six years ago, initially living in Tansley before buying and restoring their property in Holloway and lovingly converting the stables into The Coach House B&B.
Eileen says: “Opening a holiday let had long been on my bucket list, but we first had to find the right property while raising our family. My husband and I have six children between us and have always loved entertaining.
“I previously worked for a specialist cookshop, first supporting its website and later its Amazon business, then worked in the office of a children’s centre before moving into a school administration role. When the pandemic began, I joined the medical records department at our local hospital.”
Wanting to be closer to their grown-up children, the couple decided to move north – with Eileen finally realising her lifelong dream to run a holiday let. She welcomes guests with a cream tea – including homemade scones and jams made from locally sourced ingredients.
Eileen also volunteers with the British Heart Foundation. “Our lives have changed for the better – we are closer to our children and now have our first grandchild,” she adds. “Small acts of care and kindness can leave a lasting impression, and that is the experience I hope every guest takes away.”
Gillian Blakeman
Gillian ran her own florist business in Sheffield before relocating to Matlock in 2018 and getting married in 2019.
She ran the business mainly online until February 2026 when she opened Lavender Garden Flowers and Creative Gifts based in The Ritz Centre, Steep Turnpike, with the help of her friend, Liz, who also owns Fickle Studio within the shop.
They sell a selection of fresh flowers and plants, as well as creative gifts for all occasions.
Gillian says: “I’m passionate about all aspects of the floristry industry; nothing is too big or small and I’m constantly learning. I believe Matlock has lots of independent shops with their own unique input to the town, creating a fabulous shopping experience.”
https://www.lavendergardenflowers.co.uk/