A BAKERY boss who was inspired to set up her own firm after losing her mum to cancer is preparing to launch ­nationwide.

Pauline Quigley's mum ­Sarah died in 2011 after being diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.

The 54-year-old spent around 14 months in the Southern General in Glasgow with her family at her side.

Pauline, 33, said well-wishers would send bunches of flowers but the staff asked the family to remove them, as they are not allowed in hospital.

Pauline, from Hamilton in North Lanarkshire, said: "I thought it would be a good idea if people sent bouquets of cup cakes instead of flowers, as they are not always appropriate."

When her mum passed away in May 2011, she decided to turn the idea into a career.

She added: "I just thought, life is too short. Before my mum was diagnosed with her brain tumour, she had no symptoms.

"One day she had a seizure and soon after we were given the news it was a brain tumour and then that her cancer was terminal."

Pauline worked for Trespass as a clothing and accessories designer and said taking the plunge and going it alone was not a decision she took lightly.

She said: "It has been really hard work.

"At the start I was working on Friday and Saturday nights baking cakes to keep up with orders.

"It is very difficult to switch off at 5pm if you are working for yourself.

"I would say it took about a year before I was making money like the salary I had before."

But Pauline has praised the help given to her from organisations including Entrepreneurial Spark, based in the Gorbals in Glasgow.

She uses offices space at the headquarters in Caledonia House and through the programme she has been given helpful advice from other successful entrepreneurs.

Pauline now has a member of staff who helps with the baking, which is done from a unit in Hamilton, allowing her to concentrate more on the business side of the company.

Cake Cetera is now preparing to launch cake bouquets nationally and Pauline is in talks with specialist couriers.

linzi.watson@ eveningtimes.co.uk