A 19-year-old beauty student has said she is “challenging stereotypes” after launching her own roofing business.

Rose Williams, from Blackwood, launched her business All You Need Roofing last year.

The second-year student at Coleg Gwent’s Crosskeys campus launched her business after feeling unfulfilled in previous jobs, which include working as a support worker and in retail.

Growing up, Rose spent time on construction sites to earn pocket money with her father, who has worked in the industry for 35 years.

This, combined with experience of studying construction at Cardiff and Vale College, inspired Rose to set up her own business.

Rose has employed both her father and brother to look after the hands on work, while she manages the business on the ground.

Rose said: “I don’t think many people expect a 19-year-old woman who is studying beauty therapy in college to launch her own roofing company.

“I feel very proud to not only be a young woman in an industry typically dominated by men, but to also be challenging the stereotypical idea of roofing and similar trades being restricted to men.”

She continued: “It also makes the world of difference to my clients, especially those who might feel less comfortable having a group of men in their home.”

In the coming months, Rose is planning on hiring an intern to help build the business, while offering beauty services to clients on the side.

The business was formed with the support of Big Ideas Wales – the Welsh Government’s youth entrepreneurship service.

The service is aimed at anyone under the age of 25 who wants to develop a business idea.

After Rose got in touch with Big Ideas Wales, she was contacted by business adviser Natalie Duckett, who gave her one-on-one business support.

Rose said launching the business wouldn’t have been possible without Big Ideas Wales and added: “As well as providing me with everything I needed to build a solid business and answering each of my questions with information and resources, Natalie was so supportive in encouraging me as a woman in taking the trade by storm.”

Ms Duckett said: “It is so refreshing and empowering to see women like Rose, at just 19-years-old, taking business into their own hands and moulding a future for themselves.

“It takes confidence to enter a trade that you’re unfamiliar with, but we know that with the support of Big Ideas Wales and the determination she has, Rose and All You Need Roofing are capable of unlimited success.” 

Tim Monckton, the Enterprise Champion at Coleg Gwent, described Rose as a “perfect example of a young person who has taken their future into their own hands”.