Pictured above: Rob Young in his workshop

The gamble's paid off for Shrewsbury businessman Rob Young who left the security of a full-time job to work for himself and has turned over £100,000 in his first year.

Rob, 35, made the switch 12 months ago when he left full-time employment at Baker Bellfield in Telford, to follow his dream of setting up 'Mirrorworks'- manufacturing and selling antique mirrored glass.

But after just one year into trading, the business has turned over more than £100k - a figure that's set to double in his second year.

High profile clients include co-founder of Sun Microsystems (Java) and he could be on the brink of netting a project on a super yacht.

Working from a converted workshop on a small industrial estate in Mountfields, taking the leap was no mean feat and without the help of Business Link West Midlands (BLWM), may never have happened.

Rob explains: "Working as a manager of a furniture manufacturing company it was a really hard decision to quit my job and set up working for myself.

"I saw a gap in the market place, worked on a method of how to 'antique' glass and decided to go for it. The help and advice that I received from BLWM was really the deciding point for me to go it alone, I attended a free course and they put everything into black and white and helped me put together a business plan which was invaluable to me moving forwards.

"Having the freedom to be able to work for myself has made a real difference to our quality of life. It has meant that my wife, Jo, is able to help more with the business and has enabled us to have an easier existence, which is what we were after.

"Although this is a luxury item and can be an expensive product, there is a real market for it and with the help of some top interior designers in London it's helping to get me on the map. It's been a huge learning curve but we wouldn't have missed it for the world.

"I can't say too much at the moment incase I jinx it but I could be working on a super yacht, if everything goes according to plan."

Rob buys glass that is silvered, how mirrors were traditionally made, then adds the finishing touches by making the glass 'antique', applying a finish and painting the back to ensure that this seals the process.

Mirrorworks also offers a repair service which enables customers with period furniture to keep it in mint condition.

He now looks forward to expanding his client base over the next few years hoping to ultimately process his own glass and take on employees.

Adviser Jim Lindsay from Business Enterprise Support said: "Rob approached us prior to starting out on his own for some help and advice. 

"He was guided with our business enterprise support including one-to-one discussions, face-to-face meetings to discuss any questions and problems he had and also help with completing his business plan. 

"It was good to be able to give advice to someone in an industry that I have first hand knowledge of and the fact that Rob is manufacturing a niche product in the UK is great".