A Cumbrian woman has recently returned from a business conference in Lithuania, where she helped inspire aspiring entrepreneurs.

Nicola Myers, 44, created the innovative Fruit and Veg Box company around four years ago.

The pop-up greengrocers visits locations including Carlisle College, Hopes Auction Mart in Wigton, Lakes College at Lillyhall, near Workington, Furness General Hospital in Barrow and Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital.

Her success saw her address a young entrepreneurs camp in Lithuania last month.

Her business coach, a Cumbrian now based in Lithuania, put her forward for the conference so she could share how her entrepreneurial spirit has shaped her career.

The mother-of-two has been self-employed for 25 years, working mainly in the equestrian and education sectors.

She said: “It was a really eye-opening experience. I spoke to a women’s group and a young people’s group.

“There were people there from all over the world and a lot of them were from countries that are just coming out of the shadow of communism, so they wanted to know a lot about entrepreneurship.

“It was called the Freedom Entrepreneurial Camp because the organisers see the entrepreneurial spirit as a path to personal freedom.

“One of the questions I was asked was how did I prepare for a meeting, as a woman, if I knew men were going to be there.

“It’s not something I even think about, but for these women, it is an issue. It’s a different world and I hoped I inspired the participants to take that step and be more entrepreneurial.

“It was a huge honour to be asked and I was delighted to attend. I hope I will be able to go again next year to address the audience.”

Nicola’s produce is local, bought from a Cumbrian wholesaler, and she will also buy excess produce from allotment-holders near her home in Silloth.

She sells hundreds of boxes of produce a week.

Nicola added: “I sell good quality, local fruit and vegetables. It cuts down on air miles and supports the local economy.

“It’s a good way for people who don’t have time to go to the supermarket to pick up something healthy and I’m also very keen on the environmental aspect – my produce is sold as plastic-free as it can be. I am working towards being 100 per cent plastic-free too.”