While for many turning 40 can be a downbeat affair, for one working mother it was just the kickstart she needed to get her own business up and running.

Instead of sticking with her secure career as a public relations and marketing manager for commercial property firm Savills, Emma Anderson began making plans to set up her own interior design business.

Mrs Anderson said: "My job at Savills was great but I knew that in 10 years time I wanted to be doing something for myself. I always had an interest in interior design, but the thought of retraining was almost enough to put me off turning 40 was just the incentive I needed to get things moving."

After retraining through KLC, one of the leading schools in interior design in the UK, Mrs Anderson began looking for work experience.

She said: "I thought, a 16-year-old can get work experience, so why can't I?

"I was very lucky and managed to win a place with Henrietta Spencer-Churchill at Woodstock Designs and even managed to land a job there but, after 11 months, I was ready to set up on my own.

"I wanted to be my own boss and, because of my background, was confident of the business side of it."

And much to the delight of her friends, Mrs Anderson began asking them if could she redecorate their houses free.

This, of course, was a sound investment into the future of her business.

She said: "I started up by doing things for friends practising on their houses to build a portfolio. It was really good because I knew the people well enough to receive honest feedback from them."

From there it spiralled out to friends of friends and in 2005, Emma Anderson Interiors was born.

Mrs Anderson added: "I aim to really understand the needs of the client be they private or commercial and to help them realise their wishes, within budget.

"A well designed interior should not show how much work has gone into it. It should just feel right, whether it is elegant or relaxed, contemporary or classic, minimal or traditional.

"The space should fulfil its function, be well planned, and be attractive."

From simple to the sublime, there are many markets to consider in the design business.

Mrs Anderson said: "There is buy to look' people who want to make a place look good for potential renters, or buyers. Then there are bigger houses where you might have a busy professional couple who don't have the time, or the inclination, to do it themselves. They need advice."

Another aspect is when an architect calls the interior designer in on big projects.

Mrs Anderson said: "It may sound trivial but small things like making sure electrical sockets are in the right place are important. Architects often don't think of these things, but the interior designer does."

Call Emma Anderson on 01993 880688.