Mum was 'scared' when she quit her 9 to 5 job but now she 'wouldn't change a thing'

A mum who turned a lockdown hobby into a fully-fledged business has said she "wouldn't change a thing".

Danielle Daley, from Runcorn, spent a decade working for a housing trust straight out of university but is now living every child's dream and running her own sweet shop. The mum-of-one said that she was off on maternity leave just as the Covid lockdown hit and noticed people were making and selling pick and mixes on Facebook.

She wanted to give it a go and Hey Sweetie was born. Everything began to fall into place once her husband Carl came across the units being set up at Bridgewater Craft and Garden Centre.

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Danielle told the ECHO: "My husband got a job on the site where new units were being set up. I looked around, the rent is reasonable and the surroundings are lovely with the garden centre and the canal just outside.

"We started in the shop in August 2020 doing sweets, milkshakes and waffles. We now do personalised cupcakes which have been fun to branch out into.

For months, the 35-year-old would find herself working seven days a week when balancing her full-time job, a newborn and getting her business off the ground. She said: "In the beginning, we were open till 10pm some nights and I'd come straight from work.

"Looking back, I don't know how I did it. But, if I didn't do that, then I don't think I'd be where we are now with it.

"It's been hard work, a lot of sweat and tears, but it's been more than worth it. I wouldn't change a thing and I really can't see myself doing anything else now.

"It was January [2021] when they offered redundancies at work so it felt like it was all meant to be. I've managed to make it work so I can finally have a proper work-life balance."

Danielle, who admitted that she is partial to a classic strawberry sweet, tries to offer "something for everyone" at one of the brightest units in the garden centre. She said: "It's hard times and some people might have more than one kid coming in with them so it could really add up fast.

"That's why we try and accommodate all budgets - we offer Mr Whippy ice creams for £1 and have our £1.20 sweet cones as well. It's still a little treat that doesn't have to break the bank.

"I do try to bring in different things every and shake up what we offer. People do love the classics though."

Beyond the blossoming garden centre, there is a bistro, florist, hairdressers and dog groomers. Danielle said: "People sometimes don't realise we are all here but it's always nice to see someone finding us for the first time."

She told anyone wanting to start their own business to "just go for it". The mum-of-one added: "The thought of leaving my job did scare me, especially as a young family, but when the opportunity did come up I'd have been silly not to take it. I couldn't have asked for a nicer place or group of people around me though.

"I'd tell anyone thinking about their own business to just go for it, you're not going to know if you never try.

"The main thing for me is that I'm not missing out on time with my little girl as much. It's time that you don't get back. She loves to tell everyone that mummy has a sweet shop."

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