'Having researched market potential I identified a five-mile radius where a day nursery would be viable. I then looked to find suitable premises within my budget that would convert easily into a nursery with around 50 places and conform to Ofsted regulations.
'I wanted somewhere with accessibility and visibility. I'd decided on a conversion because the cost of buying land and building anywhere in a central location would be too expensive.
'I contacted estate agents and checked the property press. By chance, I drove past a "For Sale" sign which caught my eye.
'It was a former nursing home in two buildings, a mile south of Huddersfield town centre. It was on a busy road accessible to major trunk routes so there'd be no long detour for commuting parents. I saw lots of potential but would have to sell my home to release capital and make it happen. After four months of soul searching I decided to do it.
'It took 12 months and two weeks to acquire the premises with planning permission taking seven months and the lifting of a restrictive covenant three months. Local competition and road users complained about my plans.
It was raised that parents bringing children in the rush hour could disrupt traffic.
'Permission was eventually granted after a number of resubmissions and changed plans. However, I subsequently decided to demolish one of the buildings to improve parking for customers.
'I've had to do extensive conversion work in the nursery building, but I still think I would have found it harder to build something better from scratch on my budget.
'My advice is no matter what you think it will cost, build a 10 per cent contingency budget on top and the same with timing. You have got to keep seeing the potential. I've kept in my mind's eye a picture of the finished nursery which keeps me going.'