An artist from North Shields has successfully set up his own business after being made redundant.
David Hindmarch, who used to work as a graphic designer, started It's Your Picture with help from Business Link, nebuisness.co.uk reports.
His company, which he launched on the internet at the end of December 2009, lets people send in their photos and have them scanned onto canvases, which can be given as gifts.
Mr Hindmatch said that although being made redundant was "tough", it gave him the opportunity to try out something new.
"I'm not the type to sit back and wait for things to happen," he stated, adding that the assistance he received form Business Link played a big role in getting his firm off the ground.
"The support I've had from Business Link has been priceless," he said, noting that Paul Brown, an adviser at the body, helped him to get cash from the North East England Investment Centre.
This was used to pay for the setting up of the website and Mr Hindmatch described the support he got from Business Link as "fantastic".
He admitted that there had been some tough times along the way, but he is now looking to expand and is planning on taking on two staff members.
Redundancy has also helped two women who lost their jobs at Northern Rock start their own firm.
The Journal recently reported that Monique Ewart and Maureen Lindberg are looking to expand their resources consultancy PPM.
It was set up a year ago and now the pair are wanting to move their offices to the Quasrus Centre in West Boldon and take on their first employee.
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