KING CHARLES CHANGED OUR LIVES

Meet three successful businesswomen who overcame a tough start with help from The Prince's Trust

Since its launch in 1976, The Prince’s Trust charity has helped more than a million young people from disadvantaged communities gain essential life skills and job opportunities.

Here, three women who owe their business success to the King share their inspiring stories.

Naomi Spencer, 36, from Birmingham, started her Candy Bubbles business with the help of The Prince’s Trust in 2009. She lives with her partner Junior and three children, JJ, 15, J’rae, seven, and one-year-old Jhené.

Shortly after presenting me with my business award, the then Prince Charles turned to my son JJ, then just a toddler, and said, “You’ll be proud of your mum when you grow up.”

It was an incredible moment and made me realise just how far I’ve come – from a single mum on benefits to a successful businesswoman and public speaker.

Growing up, I could never have imagined I’d be where I am now. Like me, my mum was single and on benefits and life was hard. Putting food on the table was a constant struggle.

BULLIED AT SCHOOL

Even though I was doing well academically at school, I was badly bullied by a group of girls. Instead of tackling the bullying, the school said it would be better if I found another school. So aged 14, I left school and never went to another one. Times were different back then and no one ever checked up on me.