Positive thinking on the long road from despair to Bliss

Splitting from her husband has given her the confidence and positive outlook to change her life for the better.

Despite the recession, she has invested both her divorce settlement and life savings to open Bliss Caf and Patisserie in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

For many people, risking everything to run a family-friendly tea room would be a step too far. But after escaping the shackles of a failing marriage Jacqui, 40, has bought herself a motorbike, found new love on an internet dating site and has completed the transformation by starting her own caf business.

Jacqui, who has created four jobs by opening Bliss, is determined to make a success of the venture.

She has taken over a building in Millgate which has been empty for 18 months and thanks to the skills of boyfriend Mike Raw, a professional property renovator, it has been completely overhauled and transformed into an upmarket caf.

Jacqui has a vision for the business. She said: "What I envisage is delicious food, sourced locally and freshly-prepared on the premises. Bliss will be a friendly haven where young children and grandparents are equally welcome."

Jacqui, who has two daughters who are five and 10, does not believe the tough economic times pose a threat. "If you put a lot of effort in and you are positive and the product is good, then you can be successful whether there is a recession or not," she said.

The money to set up the business has come from her divorce settlement from husband Simon, 48, a company director, and there is nothing left to fall back on.

A promotions company she ran several years ago fell victim to fraudsters and she re-mortgaged the family home to clear the resulting debts. Yet the confidence gained from being "free and single" has given her the strength to try again.

She said: "I have found me again. I was on a treadmill and divorce got me off the treadmill and I found out there was nothing wrong with me and I was still useful to society. It has given me the confidence to set up a new business and my perspective on life has changed. I am no longer afraid to take a risk."

Bliss serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon teas. It also caters for parties and corporate events.