A MOTHER-of-two from Winchmore Hill has won a place in the finals of a national entrepreneurship competition.

Karen Mercer, 40, opened My Coffee Stop last year with partner Gunter Hollenstein, 49, after she became frustrated by her busy working schedule in broadcast radio.

The shop, on Platform 1 at Enfield Chase Station, in Windmill Hill, has since won numerous awards, including Enterprise Enfield Green Business of the Year and runner-up in the Smooth Radio Love London Best Neighbourhood Coffee Shop awards.

Ms Mercer is now competing against hundreds of parents across the country to win the title of Inspirational Business Mum 2010 in The Mumpreneur Awards.

The nationwide competition was set up by two mothers last year who wanted to recognise the difficulties faced by parents when juggling work and family life.

Ms Mercer said: "I found out last night about being in the final and I thought, wow, this is brilliant. I had completely forgotten that I had entered as it was about six months ago."

She added: "I knew early last year that I needed a change from my work as a traffic and travel news broadcaster, which I had been doing for ten years.

"The hours were really tough and I was getting up as early as 4am and getting home at silly hours, so I knew I needed a better work/life balance.

"Gunter was working as a barista and had always wanted to run a coffee shop, so we started looking for the perfect space.

"At first it wasn't my cup of tea, but it doesn't matter what task you set yourself - if you're creative and artistic, you can turn it into your baby."

The couple, who have two boys aged 19 and seven months, also run a book swapping scheme from the kiosk.

They have raised nearly £1,000 for inclusive Southgate theatre group Chickenshed from the scheme since they opened in February 2009.

Today they are holding a one-off photo session for the charity, when families and individuals can have their picture taken by photographer Daniel Davis for a minimum £1 donation.

Ms Mercer said: "I did volunteer work a few years ago, but it was a struggle finding the time to devote to it.

"Now we can contribute via our business, so it's a symbiotic relationship between Chickenshed and ourselves, which works really well.

"It's a wonderful charity, and if only everyone shared their ethos - of seeing the positives in everyone - then the world would be a better place.

"We love helping them. We have so much passion and belief in what we are doing, and that's all you need to make it a success."

Susan Jamson, spokesman for Chickenshed, said: "Karen doesn’t just provide Platform 1 of Enfield Chase Station with amazing coffee and muffins, she also tirelessly raises money for Chickenshed.

"She and Gunter have come up with amazing initiatives that benefit both Chickenshed and the local community.

"They have turned this little kiosk type area into a thriving coffee shop, but with all these added extras."

For more information about My Coffee Stop and Chickenshed visit www.mycoffeestop.co.uk and www.chickenshed.org.uk.