IT was just a few years ago that Lynette Dare ­– ‘Flossy’ – found herself a single mother of two young children, unemployed, bankrupt and evicted from her home in Swindon.

Today her life has taken on a whole new direction as she is the successful partner of the design and illustration business in Dartmouth, Flossy and Jim.

Now Lynette has been recognised at this year’s Women in Business Awards where she won the prestigious customer service award.

She was among finalists of the 2016 Devon Venus Awards in partnership with Bowater Communi­cations who attended a gala dinner at The Great Hall, University of Exeter, to hear who would be declared winners in each of the 15 categories.

Now in its fourth year in Devon, the Venus Awards have proved popular with businesswomen in the region, with over 1,612 nominations and 375 applications received in one or more categories.

Launched at Plymouth Science Park in May, participants were whittled down to the final stage either by sponsor judging or public voting.

Dubbed the Working Women’s Oscars by Channel 4, the awards celebrate the vital contribution that women in business make to the regional and national economy.

The accolades recognise the hard work, effort and skill it takes women to successfully juggle business with other commitments.

Lynette took the decision to try to establish a new life for herself and her children after she was mugged in broad daylight.

Initially she moved to Brixham, where she had spent holidays as a child, and secured a place on a three-year Illustration degree course at South Devon College, putting into practice her passion and skills for creative art and design.

‘My Jobcentre Plus adviser was so helpful at that time,’ she recalls. ‘I had two young children to support and the thought of taking on a degree was daunting.’

During her final year of study, Lynette took her Jobcentre’s advice and got in touch with business start-up organisation Outset Torbay for free support to help bring her business idea and plan together.

‘I knew everything I needed to about illustration, but doing it on a commercial basis and having the confidence to market my work to consumers was another matter. Outset Torbay was brilliant in helping me to prepare myself and develop the critical business skills I needed.’

Her partner, Jim, supported her at home and then in the new business, Flossy and Jim, at the Palladium Arcade in Duke Street, Dartmouth.

‘Flossy and Jim aims to make the world a happier and sunnier place with our illustrations and designs, not just for children but for adults too,’ said Lynette.

It creates punchy images for business brands, family portraits, illustration for books and learning aides, wall murals, and a range of merchandise and has even won a contract illustrating a series of books and cartoons in America.

‘Starting my business has been a great adventure, and I can’t imagine doing anything else,’ added Lynette.