I was a skint ex-teacher and living with my mum at 32 – a decade on I run a £3m a year business
WHEN single mum Elizabeth McQuillan was forced to move back in with her parents at the age of 32 after a break-up, initially she was devastated.
She'd gone from having a comfortable life and owning a house with her ex-partner, to suddenly being unable to pay the bills, and had made the difficult decision to move home.
Over the next ten months, Liz, now 40, shared a small spare room and bed with her two-year-old daughter Ruby as she scrimped and saved every penny she earned as a teacher to get enough for a house deposit.
Fast forward eight years, and incredibly not only did Liz buy her own property, but now runs a million pound business, having co-founded her own successful female-friendly car finance company.
Liz, who lives in Lancashire with her business partner and former car dealer husband Phil, 45, their daughter Loretta, two, Ruby, 12, and her two stepchildren, aged 13 and 16, says: "I've worked so hard, so it's nice to be able to afford little luxuries now, like nice holidays and cars.
"To lose everything and have to move back home in my thirties was a really humbling experience, and I'm so glad for it as it makes me appreciate everything I have now so much more."
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A strong work ethic
Growing up, Liz had a modest upbringing in a deprived town with her childminder mum and roof tiler dad working hard to provide for their three kids.
Liz says: "We didn't have a lot, and me and my sister shared a room until I was 17.
"However my mum especially instilled into me a strong work ethic, and she taught me if you wanted something you had to work hard for it.
"If we needed anything, she would work extra hours to be able to afford it, so I knew that's what I needed to do if I wanted to afford nice things."
She says: "My husband had a car dealership but I had no experience when it came to cars so it's been an unexpected career!
"I'd had a few bad experiences and I realised I was one of probably millions of women who feel taken advantage of in a male-dominated industry.
"I want women to feel empowered by the experience, not embarrassed - we demystify all the jargon and empower that client to make that financial decision without having to ask their husband or dad for advice.
"I want women to know exactly where they stand, and what their options are when buying a car on finance, and feel it's them that have made the decision."
£3m a year
It's a move that's really paid off for Liz.
She says: "We're set to turn over £3m this year, and of course it's nice to be able to enjoy the luxuries that come from running a successful business.
"I'd always wanted to be happy and have a family above everything, but then it had always been my dream to drive a white Porsche for example and I now finally do!
"I also have the Rolex, we're lucky enough to own multiple houses and were able to fly to the Maldives recently for my 40th birthday.
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"I've worked so hard to get to where I am, and feel incredibly lucky to have achieved what I have.
"I'm also glad I had to move back home, as it's made me appreciate everything even more."