A mother of two with a keen interest in health has gone from full-time parent to running her own successful complementary therapy business.

Inge Westerlinck, of Saltburn, launched Healing Hands in March last year with the help of Tees Business Link's business start-up programme.

An interest in aromatherapy, which developed four years ago, led her to go on and achieve internationally recognised qualifications in clinical aromatherapy, therapeutic massage, sports therapy and nutrition, Indian head massage and traditional Thai massage.

Having moved to England from Belgium following a change of job for her husband Peter, she decided it was the right time to start her own business.

Business Link's business start-up programme offered advice on her business plan and help with bookkeeping and marketing.

She also received £220 as a wage subsidy towards her first four weeks of trading, funding which came from the start-up programme via the European Social Fund.

Mrs Westerlinck, who runs Healing Hands from home, is now the only local qualified aromatherapist on the NHS register and one of her long-term goals is to bring complementary therapies into the NHS.

She is currently carrying out some small-scale marketing and plans to develop a website and intends to continue using the support of Business Link.

She said: "It is reassuring to have someone at the end of the telephone to tell you that they believe in what you are doing, and as a result I was able to gain a lot of confidence through Business Link and the business start-up programme."

Kath Dowson, start-up programme manager at Business Link, said: "Inge is a fantastic example of how the transition from being a full-time mum to running your own successful business is possible. She is an inspiration to others in this situation."

For more information about Business Link call (01642) 806666 or visit www.teesbusinesslink.co.uk

To contact Healing Hands, ring Mrs Westerlinck on (01287) 624 121.