A mum-of-six Claire Huitson has channelled her creativity into a new party business after being diagnosed with ADHD and finding the confidence to pursue what she truly loves.
The 40-year-old, from Eaglescliffe, has opened PartyPop Balloons & Blooms at Dundas Indoor Market in Middlesbrough, offering balloon displays, floral arrangements, and decorations for all occasions.
In the past, she tried her hand at shop work, childcare, hairdressing and nails. She also trained to be a teaching assistant, but always found it difficult to stick to any job.
Ms Huitson said: "I think once you know yourself then you can start to build on what you actually do want.
"I'm quite a colourful, creative person, so this is really my thing."
After years of trying different jobs without finding the right fit, she was diagnosed with ADHD two years ago.
The diagnosis offered clarity and helped her understand why previous roles felt overwhelming.
Ms Huitson said: "That put a perspective on my life and made me think about things in the past and where it’s got to me now."
With a large family to celebrate, she often made party decorations for home events, and friends also recognised her creative talent.
Then at the start of the year, with her house overflowing with materials, she saw an advert for a vacant shop unit in the Dundas Indoor Market and decided to take the plunge.
Ms Huitson said: "I thought if I don’t give it a try then maybe I’ll regret it one day."
Now trading with renewed confidence and self-understanding, she is hopeful about the future and open to the idea of her children, who range in age from seven to 17, joining the business down the line.
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Ms Huitson said: "I know that if I really put my mind to it, then I can go quite far.
"But at the minute we're just right at the beginning, so it's exciting to see how it goes."
PartyPop Balloons & Blooms is the third new business to open at Dundas Indoor Market this year, following Paws & Treats and Steel River Comics.
