Clubwear
Back in the late 80's when I finished art college I decided, despite being advised against it many times. I decided that I would pursue a career in fashion, I wanted to create a fashion line.
I designed my range and rented a rail in an independent clothing store.
To market the range I contributed to the local university fashion show they were staging and sold at a market in Birmingahm city centre. I would also wear my club gear while out clubbing, get orders and then take the completed orders the following week and put them in the cloak room, charging the customer for the cloakroom ticket and they would pick their order up at the end of the night.
Ballgowns
Before the club wear and while I was still at college I focused on bespoke ball gowns and evening gowns, we were just getting to the end of the huge ballgown era and in a game of two halves there were the traditional stalwarts who wore a huge traditional gown and then there were the modernists who wore evening dresses with less fuss. It made no difference to me I made what ever style they wanted, made to measure so each dress was unique to them.
Bridal gowns
After creating the club wear range I moved on to bridal gowns, mother of the bride outfits and bridesmaids dresses, all made to measure and very labour intensive.
I did this for a couple of years until I became pregnant with my daughter, it just wasn't practical to be available for demanding brides as I was now a single parent.
I enjoyed making the gowns and outfits but I had to focus on my daughter so that venture came to an end, I dismantled my studio above a wedding photographers studio and settled into parenthood.
Seamstress
As a single parent, I didn't have the support to go to work full time and living off state benefits isn't enough so I remained self employed and took in sewing work, repairing clothes, making alterations and creating soft furnishings for caravans and sofas.
When I first left school I spent 6 months on a hairdressing apprenticeship learning the basics of hairdressing but alongside this my Mom taught me all other aspects of hairdressing as she had been a hairdresser for over 20 years, this allowed me to gain extra income cutting and styling clients hair on a small scale.
Photography and Design
By now I have two children and a partner who is supportive.
My second child is 8 months old and I design a unique baby product, with my partners help I take it from a kitchen table idea through to gaining IP protection and taking it to market.
We exhibit at public Baby shows in Birmingham, London and Glasgow and trade shows. I have the products manufactured in Poland making sure we can fulfil any orders.
I manufactured the baby product until I sold it on licence to a pushchair company for five years and then concentrate on my photography, setting up my freelance business, providing product imagery for small businesses, offer a headshot service for individuals and event photography.
It was varied and regular, fitting into family life quite well.
I was invited to guest lecture at secondary schools and colleges, running photography workshops and business insights to year 10's right through to year 13's, the students engaged well and I was invited back year on year for four years while I ran the business.
During this time I took on freelance marketing work for small businesses helping them reach their targets for growth.
Retail
Alongside my photography I opened a shop, giving over 24 other small businesses the chance to show case their producst by renting space within my shop to sell their goods. I offered space within the shop for their workshops and the ability to meet their clients in the shop.
As a pop up shop this was a valuable experiment and taster in the retail arena.
Business consultancy
With a wealth of experience in business within the creative fields and my businesses now running smoothly with my kids on board I am now looking to offer a consultancy service for new and fledgling businesses.
My business experience is varied and spans 30 years, I have had ups and downs, over come obstacles and forged forward with ideas. From offering services to owning a retail outlet, manufacturing and design I have helped businesses expand their operations, introduce better work practices and structure their business more efficiently.
To find out how I can help you and your business book your first appointment now.
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