A student from Solihull College & University Centre has credited the College’s free Flexible Learning courses with helping her art business flourish.
Shelbe Hosking, 30, credits the courses with empowering her with the confidence, drive and determination she needed to keep her business dream alive.
Shelbe has always wanted to run her own business. After leaving school with poor grades and dropping out of Sixth Form, she looks back at that time and admits that she struggled. She comments: “I suffered at school at the hands of bullies and racial discrimination – I really struggled with self-belief, I had no goals, and I was unmotivated. I fell pregnant at 18 and was diagnosed with depression when I was 21. I really lacked confidence, self-esteem and a sense of worth.”
Having her daughter encouraged Shelbe to think about her future so she applied to Solihull College & University Centre in 2017 to complete her Level 1 and 2 in Maths and English. The courses were held in the local community and Shelbe passed first time. She says this was a turning point: “I initially doubted myself and didn’t believe I would do it, but I did! After passing, I began to believe in my abilities, and I wanted to continue developing my skills, knowledge and confidence.”
Shelbe wanted to develop a successful business which helped others through her passion for art. That’s when she discovered the College’s flexible learning courses.
Shelbe has now completed several of the courses, many of which she has used as inspiration for her artwork, including Understanding Domestic Abuse, Team Leading, Understanding Children, Working with People with Mental Health Needs, Counselling and Lean Organisation Management Techniques.
“I developed SAH Arts in 2019 after expressing myself emotionally through art. I then really wanted to help others as I gained great benefits from it, such as releasing my emotions, turning negative experiences into something empowering and being heard by others. I would highly recommend doing the online flexible learning courses because there are so many available and they are all FREE! By doing it online, you can work on it whenever it is convenient for you.
“Start here if you lack confidence in yourself, have few qualifications, or have a business idea but are unsure where to begin. You are your biggest supporter.”
