An entrepreneur who went from her last £40 to four new businesses within five years has said the key to her success was never giving up, even at her lowest point.

Since 2010 designer and businesswoman Sarah Hurley, 33, has started three businesses from her home in Hillyfields, Loughton, and will be launching a publishing company this summer.

Specialising in craft and design and with over 1,000 products including stationery, children’s products and sewing kits, Ms Hurley has four members of staff and is a member of the Craft & Hobby Association.

Ms Hurley’s path started when she lost a previous job and had almost run out of money.

She said: “I had been made redundant and was down to my last £40.

“I had no idea what I was doing.

“It really started off when I was writing a children’s book and I thought while I was doing it would be really good to illustrate other peoples’ books.

“People said they were really good and that I should do something else.”

Going from illustration, Ms Hurley’s interests now include a business school and the new publishers.

Taking on a range of projects is in her nature, she claimed.

“I think I will always do a lot, because that is my personality.

“I always will make sure that it is balanced and I have a fantastic team that helps and supports me.”

Five years after starting to illustrate other people’s work, Ms Hurley now hopes to inspire others who are in similar situations to her own.

She said: “I would say there is always a way, when you think you are at your lowest point there is always a way.

“Never give up.

“You do not realise that you are actually in your most powerful position when you are in your lowest position, because you have got nothing to lose.

“I did not realise at the time how powerful that is – no money, nothing for people to judge me by.

“Now I have my reputation to depend on and have to become more careful.”