In 1995 Mandie Kemp decided to go it alone and set up her own company and Futures Supplies and Support Services Ltd was born.

The company is helping young people leaving care homes for the first time by giving them the skills they need to get full time jobs.

"It was always something I wanted to do," she said, "I worked for a company for 10 years and a big national company after that to gain national experience.

"I always had it in mind to set up my own business when the kids were young as it gave me freedom to collect the kids from school and see school plays."

The road to success has not been easy for Mandie, 44, who has travelled from business to business to drum up sales.

In 2001 a fire in a garage filled with toilet rolls almost ruined the business. The company recovered, however, and in 2005 a new purpose-built office was bought.

The company is small, with only 12 employees. Mandie's son Marc, 26, is also involved in the business and daughter Liann, 19, joined the last week.

Two members of staff have recently left care homes and three are on a 12-week work experience project set up to encourage people leaving care into the workplace.

Mandie added: "I had a difficult start, I was out there by myself from the age of 15. I think all young people are good, given the right opportunities, but most people won't give them the chance. Now the business is established I can put time into other things like helping youngsters. We have seen some good kids come through."

Mandie believes that business is not just about the bottom line' of making money, but also giving something back to the local community.

She thinks this approach has been instrumental to the company's continuing success and inspiring and encouraging other businesses to give support and become involved in the regeneration of their local community.

Social worker Chris Thompson said: "People leaving care can start adult life with many disadvantages. Futures has worked with two of our service's young people and they have achieved results and made a positive difference to their lives that exceeded all expectations and hopes."

The company has won several awards, including a Best of Business Award for corporate social responsibility in 2005 and Mandie recently collected the 2006 Surrey businessperson of the year award.

The company makes regular donations to various charities, including Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign, The Salvation Army, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Mayday Healthcare NHS and The Garwood Foundation.

Futures also gives recycling advice and has told other business in the borough how to make their offices more green'.

"I am a boring tree-hugger really," Mandie joked, "I have been committed to recycling for a few years now, as well as being good for the community, it also saves business money. Companies can do really simple things that would make a difference. It is not difficult just needs a little extra thought."

After hearing of her nomination Mandie added: "It will encourage a lot of small businesses to recycle as well. A lot of large companies get involved but small companies feel they can't make a difference. If everyone gets involved they can have a real impact."