"I want to be in Vogue as a multi-millionaire with a global fashion business. And then I'm going to sell that for more millions and start another one," said Melissa Cheung.

But far from a pipe dream, the 24-year-old from St Eric's Road, Bessacarr, is already on course to make it a reality.

On the verge of completing her Master's degree in international fashion retail at the University of Manchester, Melissa has now been accepted onto a year-long intensive development programme to formulate a business idea which has already won her a place in the final of a university business contest.

Said the former Hall Cross School pupil: "I developed an idea to launch an online fashion business that finds the right clothes for clients based on body shapes with another student I met on the course.
"We entered it in a student business competition, which had a £25,000 prize, because we were skint.

"The judges really liked the business plan and they all said it was a really good idea and I should get into it.

"We reached the final, although we missed out on the money."

But shortly after, Melissa discovered the Flying Start programme - a scheme developed by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) to encourage more women to start up businesses.

"There was space for 35 graduates and just two places left so we applied and it has been really worthwhile," said Melissa.

The programme kicked-off with a three-day intensive residential course in Sheffield designed to encourage the graduates to make business contacts and discuss their ideas.

"I met loads of people who were in the same boat as me," she added.
And Melissa is clearly not alone in her drive to succeed as an entrepreneur.

A national survey conducted this year by the NCGE amongst female graduates and current final year women university students, revealed that eight out of ten were driven by their passion for business.

Of those surveyed, nearly 60 per cent cited 'wanting to be independent' as one of the triggers for starting a business, and seven out of ten planned to take matters into their own hands because they did not think a regular job would pay enough.

Dr Lorna Collins, director of Flying Start, which provides programmes and support for UK male and female graduate entrepreneurs, said: "Female entrepreneurship is high on the Government's agenda and a key aim is to close the gap between the UK and the US, which sees a higher proportion of women start their own businesses.

"We have had another excellent response to this Women's Programme. It reinforces the message that there are a lot of women graduates out there with fantastic business ideas and a passion to get their businesses started.

"Many are attracted to the programme because it is for women only, and there is camaraderie among like-minded female graduates who will continue to support one another long after the Flying Start Programme has ended.

"They will become part of a national network of peers who help achieve success for female entrepreneurs."

Melissa is certainly hoping to put the skills she acquires over the year to good use - but only after she finishes her Master's dissertation.

"I have until September to finish the essay, which is 20,000 words, but I'm getting so excited by the business idea that it's hard to concentrate. I'll just have to put it on hold until after summer when the work is done though, but I can't wait to get started," she added.

For more information on Flying Start visit www.flyingstart-ncge.com