A mum who spent a year on benefits now earns "six figures" a year – but life hasn't always been so easy for her.
Gemma Spalding-Tunnicliffe was at her lowest when she ended things with the dad of her kids in early 2017.
Single and on benefits, the 31-year-old's last straw was when she was shown a mould-infested rental flat.
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The mum, from Norwich, decided there and then to turn her life around.
She launched a tutoring business, for which she now charges up to £45 for an hour lesson.
Also Gemma taught herself to do macramé, tying knots to produce fabric – and now sells her wares online.
Now the combined earnings from her business are over six figures – and she owns the home she always dreamed of.
She said: "There's no bigger stereotype than a young single mum on benefits.
"People made me feel awful about my situation. But one person was really encouraging, which was lovely.
"Remember there's a way out, and you're not alone.
"If you have the fire in your belly to go and do something just do it – don't give up.
"It wasn't luck, it was hard hard work and being prepared to put the time in. I'm so glad I did it."
Gemma separated from the dad of her children, Elijah Spalding-Dale, now seven, and Chester, now six, early in 2017.
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She didn't return to her work as an activities coordinator after maternity leave – and had to sign on.
The mum struggled along with her child tax credit, housing benefit and income support, which totalled £1,100 a month.
Finding it difficult to keep up with the rent payments on her three-bed terraced home, she went on the housing list.
But she was horror-struck when she viewed a housing association bungalow which was filthy and full of mould.
Gemma said: "There was mould everywhere and one of my sons has asthma. I cried and cried, it was so depressing.
"I just thought, 'This is not going to be my life'.
"It really gave me the push to do everything I could to stay in our private rented home."
Gemma then took in a lodger with a child – meaning there were two mums and three kids in her home.
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On top of the natural sciences degree she was studying for, she signed up for a business course in February 2018.
She then took out a small startup loan and began the Spalding's School of Sciences in August 2018.
At first she charged £10 an hour, but now bills £45, where she tutors in maths, physics and chemistry.
And Gemma has since found love after meeting her now-husband Josh Tunnicliffe, 33, in June 2018.
They were engaged in December 2020 and married in June 2022.
The couple bought a four-bed detached family home in November 2022 – like Gemma had always dreamed of owning.
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She also learned how to macramé by watching YouTube videos when son Chester said he wanted a dreamcatcher.
Gemma became hooked and began selling on Etsy.
Her items quickly became bestsellers so her second business, Piglet & Chestnut, started in summer 2021.
She concluded: "It was just something I was doing as a hobby because I was feeling low and it took off.
"I'm extremely proud, but I'm not stopping here – this has spurred me on to more. I hope to have multiple shops."
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