People who have started new businesses in north Norfolk have smiles painted on their faces after 'graduating'.
Among them is Debs Hulbert - a former high street fashion designer and Pontins Blue Coat entertainer - who is now a professional face painter.
She and 50 other fledgling ventures - from a spreadsheet wizard to a pest controller - have been helped by a scheme aimed at arming them with skills and tips to steer them on a solo course in the world of employment.
Mrs Hulbert from Northrepps designed shirt and tie sets for high street names such as Top Man and Burton after gaining a degree in fashion marketing.
During a spell as a singing, dancing, holiday camp entertainer she was put in charge of face painting because of her 'art background. Now, after spells as a fashion buyer in London and a children's entertainer and teaching assistant in Hong Kong, the mum of two move to Norfolk and she decided to make face-painting her career.
'I trained at the London School of Face Painting - yes there is one - but the new business course here helped with marketing and social media,' she said.
'It helps to have someone look at your business with a fresh set of eyes.'
The Enterprise North Norfolk scheme provides help with business planning, financial expertise, and ongoing support to help new start-ups.
Project co-ordinator Kate Wilde said: 'We have helped more than 50 businesses since February 2013 - providing help in the early stage so they thrive.
'Some are celebrating their first anniversary, and are doing very well.'
North Norfolk District Council's business enterprise and economic development cabinet member Russell Wright said: 'There is new evidence that a rise in self-employment has taken a lot out of the unemployment figures.
'Schemes like this, providing support in the first year when businesses can fail through lack of preparation, are critical.'
Mr Wright said people going into business were taking a 'very courageous step' but were vital cogs in the local economy.
Other graduates were:
Jo Collins (Stalham) - painting and decorating
Terry Law (Sheringham) - Spreadsheet Wiz spreadsheets design and training
Mark Bird and David Cox (Stalham) - new Hunters cafe
Lorraine Clayton (Holt) - lead generation for renewables client
Darryl Griffiths (Fakenham) -Coastal Timber Products
Trish Laraune (Fakenham) - teeth whitening and spray tanning
Robin Dennis (Fakenham ) - pest control
Sam Cane (Fakenham) one-to-one study support
Bill Johnson (Cromer) - home maintenance, gardening, painting
Paula Robertshaw (Cromer) - hand made crafts.
All the successful graduates from the scheme were presented with a copy of the Essential Business Guide to help them develop their ventures further. The awards event took place at the White Horse, Overstrand.
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