CEO was on 'brink of homelessness' as teen

Michelle Niziol is working with Homeless Oxfordshire

A business leader who faced homelessness as a teenager has shared her story to inspire others who are struggling.

When Michelle Niziol was 17 her family was under such financial pressure their home was in danger of being repossessed.

Mrs Niziol, from Bicester, dropped out of her A-Levels and took on three jobs to help keep a roof over their heads.

Now a successful property entrepreneur and CEO, Mrs Niziol has been working with an Oxfordshire homelessness charity to help those in similar situations.

Mrs Niziol was a contestant on series 12 of The Apprentice

She said: "It's a trauma that still drives me to this day. Even though I don't have those worries and concerns now, it's something I don't think will ever leave me.

"But that time gave me a resilience and determination that stayed with me ever since. I managed to buy my first property with my husband at 18 and that was my step into the property business.

"I went from the brink of homelessness to the owner of a multi-million pound property portfolio by the time I was 25 – so it was a bit of a jump."

Mrs Niziol, who appeared on series 12 of The Apprentice, recalled a time she drove her mother's Ford Fiesta to college, only to be called and told to return home as bailiffs had come to take the car.

She said experiences like that led her to support others facing homelessness by working with organisations like Homeless Oxfordshire.

The charity unveiled its Her Way Home campaign earlier this year, and Mrs Niziol was one of the speakers at the launch event.

She said: "Thankfully I didn't end up on the streets but I came very close.

"Now I want to support and help others in any way that I can, whether that's helping financially or by raising awareness.

"If I'm able to help one person by sharing my story then I'll feel like I've done my job, but I won't stop – I'll keep raising awareness for them."