Back To Work Enterprise Allowance - BTWEA

My Journey with the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance: From Redundancy to Entrepreneurship

After more than 20 years working in retail, being made redundant was a huge shock. I had grown so accustomed to the daily commute, interacting with customers, and doing a job I loved. Customer service was my passion, and the shop I worked for was my second home. It had faced the threat of closure a few times, but I never imagined it would actually happen. When it did, it completely shifted my world. With three children still living at home, I knew I had to act fast and figure out my next steps.

From Redundancy to New Possibilities

Losing my job forced me to re-evaluate everything. Suddenly, I had to ask myself what I wanted to do with my life, especially now that my family needed me more than ever. As much as I loved my retail job, I realized that commuting and being away from home so much wasn’t sustainable anymore. I needed more control over my time and flexibility in my working hours to be present for my family. That’s when I started thinking about working from home or starting my own business.

I spent hours researching different career paths, attending courses, and exploring all sorts of possibilities. Eventually, I discovered the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA), a scheme designed to help people like me start their own small businesses with some financial support. It felt like a lifeline, offering me the chance to turn my situation around. However, the journey was not as straightforward as I expected.

The Application Process: A Learning Curve

Applying for the BTWEA wasn’t just about filling out a few forms. The process was extensive, time-consuming, and honestly, overwhelming at times. I had to write a detailed business plan—something I had never done before. It took me forever because I kept second-guessing myself and worrying about how my idea would be perceived. I did the Start Your Own Business course twice, just to help me get clarity and structure my ideas. It was such a relief to break down the process and understand what was truly important.

A big challenge for me was learning about the practical aspects of running a business—especially tax. I was completely clueless about bookkeeping and tax regulations, so I took several short courses to get up to speed. I also took courses just to stay motivated because, let me tell you, the self-doubt creeps in fast when you’re unsure if your business idea will succeed. Researching competitors, analysing demographics, and trying to map out every detail felt like a never-ending cycle.

What I Learned Along the Way

If I could give one piece of advice to anyone thinking of applying for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, it would be this: Know what you want and be prepared to love it for the long haul. I went into this thinking that I’d have more free time, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Now, I work every available hour, not just for myself, but for my family’s future. Every decision, every late night, every new skill I’ve learned has brought me one step closer to building something I can truly be proud of. Starting a business through the BTWEA wasn’t easy, but it gave me the push I needed to believe in myself again.

This journey has been filled with challenges, but also so many small wins that remind me why I started. I’ve gone from being made redundant to becoming my own boss—on my own terms and for the benefit of my family.

If you're going through the scheme or thinking about applying, I’d genuinely love to hear from you. I’m not an expert, but I’m more than happy to share my experience if it helps in any way.

Feel free to leave a comment below—let’s connect, support each other, and make this journey a little less daunting together.

-Lipa