A domestic abuse survivor has become a successful entrepreneur after setting up a company to support others who have suffered similar trauma.
Originally from Cameroon, Peggy Bareh moved from Nottingham to Stoke-on-Trent to escape an abusive relationship.
With help from the Boosting Women in Business Programme run by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, the mum-of-three set up Passionate Cleaners Ltd last year.
The domestic and commercial cleaning services company has a wide range of clients including Airbnb properties and schools in and around Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
It gives abuse survivors, especially women, the opportunity to have flexible employment and to excel in a rewarding career.
Passionate Cleaners’ philosophy is to “rebuild lives with a passion for cleaning,” working with women’s organisations to empower those with low self-esteem.
The business is growing rapidly and now has 15 working cleaners, all of whom are committed to exceeding customers’ expectations with expertise and attention to detail.
Alongside her entrepreneurship, Peggy is a highly-respected motivational speaker, helping purpose-driven women to overcome the feeling of rejection after a relationship breakdown.
Holder of a master’s degree in business management, she has published a self-help book entitled I Am Thriving Now and two mindfulness journals, aimed at transforming lives.
Peggy, who describes herself as a ‘resilient survivor’, came to the UK in 2007, from Cameroon. Following the childhood, teenage and adult abuse which she suffered, greatly affecting her self-confidence, she was determined to rebuild her life.
Passionate Cleaners is just one strand in her mission to pursue the life’s purpose she discovered during her recovery – to inspire, empower and support women.
She said: “I have found that many women have the passion and aspiration but are struggling to restart their lives because of low self-esteem and not knowing where to begin.
“The benefit system is skewed toward getting a job irrespective of childcare issues. I have created a business model which provides employment, builds confidence and protects children.
“We do not just want to raise admirable employees; we also want to raise future business owners.
“The personal support I have received from Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and NatWest has been amazing and transformational for me and now I see it as my mission to support and offer guidance to other women who have had similar experiences to me and show them that there is a better life out there.”
Peggy’s cleaning company offers a 20 per cent discount to Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce members.
- Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce’s Boosting Women in Business Programme is run in collaboration with NatWest. It supports women from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire who are looking to enter self-employment by providing practical workshops to equip participants with all the skills needed to run a business as well as boosting confidence and raising self-esteem.
It’s all like a dream to me, but I now believe that dreams do come true. Each life that is transformed is a dream achieved. Thank you for all your support.