This is Leicestershire --Many of us dream of picking the perfect job, but few of us have the confidence, the ability or opportunity to chase it.
Stuck in the routine of a nine-to-five job it's easy to see the appeal of jacking it all in and following your heart.
Jo Holland did just that. After living abroad for two decades she decided to launch her own business supplying fluffy toys to the retail sector.
She set up her business, Jomanda, in 2005 with business partner Amanda Norville (who left two years later, but still helps out from time to time).
Jo had returned to Leicestershire after 20 years abroad, mostly in Spain, where she set up a dating agency which pioneered speed dating
She said: "I came back with no money and nowhere to live. But I had an idea to import Spanish rugs and sell them at country shows.
"We started at the Burghley Horse Trials in 2005 and the rugs sold well, but we needed something smaller to sell alongside, so I designed a soft toy sheep which sat nicely alongside the rugs.
"I flew to China to find a factory to make the sheep and it took off from there."
The business is based in Skeffington, between Leicester and Uppingham, and all Jomanda products are designed here and made in China. They are now exported around Europe.
Jo's sheep retail in English Heritage shops and at a wide variety of outlets, including Ragdale Hall.
Helped by her mum, PA and others, she still continues to trade at country fairs.
The company recently won a contract to supply nautical teddy bears to shops on the P&O Cruises fleet.
From next month, passengers will be able to buy the P&O Cruises branded bears as gifts and mementos.
The contract to supply Harding Retail, which operates tax-free shops on board cruise ships around the world, fulfilled a long-held ambition for Jo.
She said: "Once upon a time I worked on cruise ships and have been keen to sell into a market which has great potential.
"People who choose to cruise are relaxed about spending money and enjoying themselves. We are very pleased to have formed a partnership with Harding Retail, which is uniquely placed in this market."
She said working with Harding Retail could lead to more opportunities for the future and said she was keen to supply duty-free shops in airports.
Since the business started, she has been advised by Leicester chartered accountants Mark J Rees.
She said: "Mark J Rees has been an excellent source of help which has enabled me to make the business work."
The firm's manager Matt Vice and principal Paul Hollinshead help Jomanda with jobs such as sourcing the funding to enable her to bid for large contracts and place orders with Chinese manufacturers.
Matt said: "Working in partnership with Harding Retail has enabled this launch onto P&O Cruises.
"Everyone at Mark J Rees enjoys working with Jomanda." Reported by This is 4 hours ago.