A KIDDERMINSTER man who has set up a business as a painter and decorator is facing the biggest challenge of his life – to break free at last from having to rely on state aid.

Over the past few years, Stuart Hill-Blount has struggled to come to terms with a bipolar disorder and is determined to succeed.

He is the latest entrant in our Business Idol competition, which the Big Breakfast Club is running in association with The Shuttle to find the most enterprising and promising small business started within the past two years.

There is a £1,000 prize for the winner, along with a year’s membership of the Breakfast Club.

Stuart, 51, began his venture, called SC Contractors, six months ago, with the help of Pathways to Work at Remploy. Other help organisations, like Balancing Business and Leonard Cheshire Disability, offered a hand, too and he now has a bright red van to get him on the road.

“When I left Harry Cheshire High School at 15, I went straight into painting and decorating and I have all the skills,” he said. “I guarantee a first class job and pride myself on never ever leaving any mess.

“I quoted one lady £140 to decorate her lounge and she was so delighted with it she gave me £200.”

He added: “If I won Business Idol, the £1,000 prize would help me in my aim to employ someone else with bipolar and give them a chance like me.”

If you have a small business based in the Wyre Forest area – anything from one to 20 employees – and not more than two years old, we invite you to enter Business Idol now.

All you have to do is to describe, in not more than 250 words, what your business concept is, what is special about it and how you plan to grow it.

Send your entry to: Business Idol Competition, 351 Hurcott Road, Kidderminster DY10 2QX or email it to p.ricketts@blueyonder.co.uk If you have any queries or want to join the Big Breakfast Club, call David Chill on 01905 776730.