Cally James has no regrets after quitting her previous job to become a full-time potter.

The 55-year-old grandmother - who lives in Lawshall, near Bury St Edmunds - launched her pottery business in her back garden after starting it as a hobby 25 years ago.

She turned her business - Hippy Hut Pottery -  into a limited company in 2022. It has become her dream job after about 10 to 12 years working as a school cover supervisor - and before that, making wedding cakes.

She enjoyed her job at Thurston Community College - but wanted something more.

"I have always been creative," explained Cally, who went back to school to gain a Masters degree in fine art from the University of Suffolk. "It was a nice job but it wasn't really going anywhere."

She is now one of 12 start-up loan ambassadors from different regions selected by the British Business Bank to promote the value of setting up your own business.

The British Business Bank is  a government-owned economic bank which specialises in helping businesses in the UK to access financial support.

It loaned her £14k - which she is paying back over five years - after her kiln broke down.

"It was a bit of a disaster - I can't run my business without a decent kiln," she explained.

"I had to write a business plan and you get help writing that. It was just amazing the way they do it and still support people afterwards. They are really encouraging. They had mentoring and guidance in place."

A couple of months ago, the bank called her to tell her she had been selected as an ambassador.

"I think it's lovely actually. It's lovely to be chosen to do something like that. They have been amazing at helping me keep my business going," she said.

Cally's love affair with pottery began while she was making wedding cakes many years ago. She came across some beautiful pottery sculptures through one of her customers and was put in touch with a potter in Long Melford who taught her how to throw pots.

"I bought my own wheel and my own kiln - and now I have my own business," she said.

"I love sculpture but I also love throwing so those are the two areas I really enjoy."

She makes wood-fired pig sculptures and abstract people. She will create objects by commission and she travels the country attending Gardener's World live events in places such as Beaulieu near Southampton, Birmingham and Audley End in Essex with her pottery stand where she sells her works.

(Image: JON CARTWRIGHT)

She also runs popular adult pottery classes from her garden studio. She lives with husband John and has three grown-up daughters and two grandchildren.

"It's the best thing I've ever done," she said of her new business. "I do something I love every day. I love teaching and I love making so those two things combined is just amazing. It's my business and I can take it where I want to go."

She admits that some aspects of running your own business are "not easy" but she believes it has been worthwhile - and that it happened at the right time for her.

"I'm a great believer that things happen at a time for a reason. If it had been at a different time maybe I would not have used the opportunity in the same way I did," she said. "I consider myself very lucky now. I'm doing what I want to do."

Across the UK, the start-up loan scheme has delivered more than £1.1bn of funding to more than 115,000 businesses since 2012.

In the East of England, the British Business Bank has made loans amounting to more than £86m to 8,440 businesses. Loans averaged just over £10k.

The annual Start Up Loans Ambassadors programme is now in its ninth year. Ambassadors are selected for the resilience, creativity, and determination they show to make their business successful.

Richard Bearman, Managing Director of Small Business Lending, British Business Bank, said: “All 14 of our Ambassadors have immensely impressive stories and truly represent the breadth and diversity of the UK’s smaller business community.

"These entrepreneurs are vital for our economy, and their success fuels our nation's growth and prosperity.”

“Our fixed-interest rate loans have helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs get their business off the ground, with many more taking up the offer of post-loan support from our mentors. We look forward to working with the UK’s founders for years to come."

(Image: JON CARTWRIGHT)