REVAMPING old shoes at her fledgling shop followed by lunch with global tycoon Sir Richard Branson is all in a day’s work for entrepreneur Ellie Fox.

Breathing new life into a beloved pair of tatty heels prompted the Teesside University graduate to quit her job in a call centre and become her own boss.

The 22-year-old now not only has her own boutique, Ticky Turner, in Middlesbrough’s Corner Emporium but also boasts Sir Richard as a mentor and recently enjoyed lunch with him at his Oxfordshire home.

“I started revamping shoes a couple of years ago, but that was just because I had destroyed my comfiest heels and wanted to keep them,” she explained.

She decided to set up a shop selling vintage-inspired fashion, jewellery, and accessories alongside her customised shoes which she transforms using cloth, comics, newspapers and even feathers.

“What I love about upcycling is the look on my customers face when they see their shoes again, turned into some super sexy heels that no one else has. I’m not saying that I’m a miracle worker but it makes me feel great knowing I’ve done a good job.”

“I like to give my customers as much freedom as possible when deciding on their design. I’ll offer suggestions if they are unsure but usually my customer knows exactly what she wants. The craziest one I have ever had to do was a pair with some sexy vampires on them, it was quite graphic actually, but they did look amazing and my customer was over the moon with them.”

Ellie, originally from Lincoln, one of the region's first recipients of a Start-Up Loan, delivered through a scheme to help young entrepreneurs which in the North-East and Cumbria is supported by a consortium, including Virgin Money, Virgin Unite, the Northern Rock Foundation with Project North East.

The funding helped her secure a unit in Middlesbrough Council’s Corner Emporium in The Mall Shopping Centre which gives new businesses a chance to road test their products rent-free for six months.

Along with four other new businesses, Start-Up Loans invited Ellie and four other entrepreneurs to an event hosted by Fast Track 100, the network of Britain’s top private companies.

“We got some really great one-to-one advice from some executives from some really, really big companies and have lunch with Sir Richard Branson at his home in Oxford. I got to really pick his brains about how I can safely expand it and grow.”

Her business was named after her grandmother, Ivy Turner, who was nicknamed ‘Ticky’ after a dress made for her that resembed ticking fabric and who sparked Ellie’s creative flair by teaching her how to sew.

“I hope my grandmother would be proud as I'm doing what I love and have got further than anyone initially thought I could,” Ellie added.

To have a pair of shoes revamped for £20 call into the shop or visit www.tickyturner.co.uk