Nancy Livingstone AFTER decades in the fashion industry, lecturing in industrial sewing, Nancy went back to college to study for a degree in fashion management. "The youngest student was 22, and I was 65," she says. "But it was brilliant and it gave me the financial know-how and training I'd need to set up a business."

Nancy Livingstone
AFTER decades in the fashion industry, lecturing in industrial sewing, Nancy went back to college to study for a degree in fashion management. "The youngest student was 22, and I was 65," she says. "But it was brilliant and it gave me the financial know-how and training I'd need to set up a business."

That was six years ago. Nancy, now 71, has since set up a company called Agnes McIntyre Couture Corsets, designing her own range of fashion corsets. She also provides a remodelling service for existing haute couture garments, and designs clothes for a number of private clients - as well as lecturing to degree students at Cardonald College.

"When I was younger I was too busy raising a family to think about starting a business," she says. But once her six children had left home, she began the first of many courses, formally qualifying in her trade before setting up herself.

Nancy, a widow, adds: "My motivation is absolutely not financial, although I like being independent and making my own money. For me, it's important that the customer walks away feeling happy and good. That gives me personal satisfaction. It has to be something you want to do, but it's not an easy ride. But I get great satisfaction from putting in the effort and making some-thing work."

The grandmother, it should be noted, is the only person from her degree course who started their own business.

• Agnes McIntyre Couture Corsets 01505 872813