Mercy Dingwiza is founder of the London College of Health & Recruitment (Care College), winner of the Health and Wellbeing category at the Greenwich Business Awards. Care College works with local people, developing skills to find jobs in health care. Ahead of International Women's Day we asked her, along with five other Business Awards winners and finalists, about what she loves about her job, her journey to where she is now and much more. 

What do you love most about your job?

My job is to empower others who have missed education due to disadvantaged backgrounds or raising kids. My target are those who never got the opportunity to acquire education that enables them to become economically active. The best aspect of my job is empowering others, turning their hidden fears to a blink of hope.

What is a typical day for you and your business?

We get so many referrals of women within the borough who are struggling to become financially independent and those with fear of joining mainstream education provision and they come to us for empowerment, information, guidance and support. In most cases we identify their struggles and then create SMART goals packed with empowerment ingredients and we also signpost accordingly where possible.

A tip for women who want to start their career in your sector?

To any woman out there wanting to start their own business., here are the tips:

• Find out the "need" within your community. Your business idea must be the answer. Your business must fill the gap.
• Have a dream of the business you desire. Turn that dream to a detailed plan of that business.
• Participate in FREE courses Royal Greenwich or other organisations provides, attend networking events.
• Surround yourself with the right people, individuals who inspire you and challenge your thinking.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey to where you are?

A woman's journey is never easy, I surrounded myself with very successful women and I took that opportunity to learn from them and I was able to redefine myself, my ambitions, my ego and I then evaluated my abilities. I took a route to education, and I spent most of my time learning what I didn't know and I became competent in different aspects of life which placed me in a position to become an entrepreneur. I realised there were more people who would benefit from my achievements, experiences, education and my abilities. Looking at my current achievements, I am proud to say "Educate a Woman, You Educate a Nation".

What do you love most about running your business in Royal Greenwich?

The Royal Borough of Greenwich is a borough that celebrates diversity, and gives everyone the opportunity to redefine their purpose in life. We have a user friendly local library, where continuously engaging activities are taking place. The library offers education activities and we encourage people to make use of them. The Royal Borough of Greenwich is passionate about education and the Big TV in [in General Gordon Square, Woolwich] informs residents of current affairs, keeping everyone up to date.

What role does your business play in the local area?

We provide education and guidance to residents who have missed education and work with local employers, and we signpost for work. We aim to engage with those who fear mainstream education by listening and identifyng their education needs and preparing ways of empowering them to overcome their fears. The Royal Borough of Greenwich is full of diversity and there is a need to provide education to those who missed out on it. This will bring balance to the community, making more people economically active.