AN adored businesswoman based at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre who swapped crime for a flourishing career could win an award for her remarkable transformation.

Mother-of-two Gina Moffatt, 34, of Edmonton, has spent the last three years nurturing her floristry business and catering company after realising she wanted to follow her dreams and build a better life for herself and her children.

She started her first company Blooming Scent while serving time in Holloway Prison after completing a GNVQ and gaining support from the Prince's Trust.

Since then the business has truly blossomed allowing Miss Moffat to branch into catering and win a contract to run Blooming Scent Cafe at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, in Tottenham.

The focused businesswoman even used her own funds to get the centre's kitchen fully-equipped and has boosted trade with her attention to detail and giving customers what they want.

She is now regarded among many as the heart and soul of the arts venue and makes no secret of her past in order to inspire others to make something of their lives.

Her qualities have led Miss Moffat to be named a semi-finalist in the 2010 Barclays Trading Places Awards which recognises people who have triumphed the odds to succeed in business.

A win could mean collecting a share of £50,000 to invest into her company.

Steve Cooper, chair of the judging panel and Managing Director, Barclays Business, said: "Trading Places is a celebration of inspiring people who in spite of great personal challenges, have taken steps to establish a sustainable business and in doing so changed the direction of their lives for the better.

"The calibre of this year's entries is outstanding and we hope that with this recognition, Blooming Scent will continue on the road to success. We also hope Gina’s story will inspire other budding entrepreneurs in London, who face similar difficulties to come forward and turn their own business dreams into reality."

The winner will be chosen at a black-tie gala dinner at The Savoy, in central London, on Tuesday, November 30.

A special award and a cheque for £3,500, courtesy of Barclays, will be awarded to the Trading Places finalist whose business puts something back into the community.

Miss Moffatt won a Small Business Enterprise Award in 2008 and was a runner-up for a Prince's Award in 2009.