Category: Creative Business

“It was a scary decision to make at the time but I’ve always been a strong believer in going with your gut and I knew it was the right thing to do.”

 

Next in the Creative Business series is the wonderful creative behind LIFEstyled Planner, Lou Rodrigues. I’ve known Lou in social media circles for a couple of years now. She’s such a lovely person, and both her eye for design and tenacity in business is amazing. Not only does she create the gorgeous designs for the LIFEstyled Planner covers, she also handles the day-to-day running of the company, and I’m sure I’m not the only person she inspires on a regular basis. Let’s get to know more about her…

Continue reading Creative Business: Designer of the LIFEstyled Planner, Lou Rodrigues

“It feels like a community knowing you’re not the only one dealing with the trials and tribulations of running a small business.”

 

Our next Creative Business feature is the ever so lovely, personal branding and family photographer, Deepa Rodrigues. I first got to know Deepa in an online business community and soon felt a connection with both her documentary photography style (the way she captures families in such a natural way is just wonderful!) and her calm and caring nature. We’ve yet to meet offline (one day we must rectify this, Deepa) and there’s still a lot I want to know about her story, so I can’t wait to find out more about the talented woman behind the business…

Continue reading Creative Business: Personal Branding & Family Photographer, Deepa Rodrigues

“If you have a ‘Day Job’ that is totally OK, you are not less of an artist, creative, etc. for having one. You are smart! Your day job is your best Investor/Sponsor for your creative endeavor.”

 

Our next Creative Business feature is the lovely Caro Montiel of Fox Bear Studio. Caro is an amazing illustrator and designer, creating wonderfully whimsical children’s illustrations and gorgeous surface pattern designs. She has the sweetest range of little character illustrations (my favourite is Lion Bear) and even makes little animations with them. Let’s find out more about the inspiring woman behind the creative business…

Continue reading Creative Business: Illustrator & Designer, Caro Montiel of Fox Bear Studio

“Trust your instinct… you are destined for more, much much more.”

 

Next up in the Creative Business series, we’ve got the wonderful Chido Plunkett of DaChi’s Restaurant to You. As one half of a husband and wife team, Chido brings style and finesse to DaChi’s personal chef, private dining, and dinner party services. For a mouth-watering array of inspiration you can also find DaChi’s on Instagram – just be warned, it’s a dangerous browse if you’re feeling a bit peckish!

Before you head over and start salivating, let’s get to know the woman behind the creative business…

Continue reading Creative Business: Luxury Dining Specialist, Chido Plunkett Of DaChi’s Restaurant To You

“I got to the point where I didn’t want to build someone else’s dream and I didn’t want to work for a big company.”

 

Our next Creative Business feature is the wonderfully talented, and exceptionally lovely, Emma Rees of Dainty Forest. Emma creates colourful and feel-good illustrated prints and gifts, with a simple but confident style. She also offers design services for other small businesses, and does lots of creative bits and bobs for And So To Shop (which is where our paths crossed). There is a super friendly and fun feel to everything Emma creates, so I’m looking forward to finding out more about the woman behind the brand…

Continue reading Creative Business: Illustrator & Designer, Emma Rees of Dainty Forest

“…I love dipping in and out of different hobbies and always love trying new things.”

The Creative Business series continues with the lovely being that is Leona, of Little Stag Signs. Leona creates the most gorgeously simple but creative wooden signs for weddings, nurseries, home decor and more. In her own words, her signs are designed to ‘love, inspire, and celebrate’ and I think this beautifully sums up her brand’s ethos and product style. There is a wonderfully feel-good nature about everything Leona creates, and I’m really looking to sharing a bit more about her. Let’s get started…

Continue reading Creative Business: Wooden Sign Maker, Leona of Little Stag Signs

“I’ve yet to meet a business that doesn’t have a great story to tell…”

Next up in the Creative Business series is Lidia Rumley of The Brand Storyteller. In her own words, Lidia works with ‘creative and entrepreneurial businesses to define and articulate their brand stories’. Messaging is such an important part of building a meaningful and sustainable brand. It’s what holds everything together and connects the dots between you, your brand, and your audience.

I first met Lidia last year, through a small local group for female, creative entrepreneurs – set up by myself and Elisabeth Booth (aka The Giftsmith). We’ve only met as a group twice (I’m looking forward to catching up again once we’re allowed!), but it was clear to see Lidia’s passion for working with clients and really getting underneath, behind, and to the core of their stories.

Without further ado, let’s delve in and discover a glimpse into Lidia’s own story…

Continue reading Creative Business: The Brand Storyteller, Lidia Rumley

“There was something about taking seemingly ordinary ingredients and turning them into something amazing that gave me hope.”

Our next Creative Business feature is one of the sweetest people I’ve interacted with online (we’ve yet to meet in person, but I’ve no doubt she’ll be just as lovely in ‘real life’), Fen Bolodeoku of MonAnnie. It seems only appropriate that such a sweet and beautiful woman should work in one of the most delicious industries: wedding cakes and patisserie.

Fen is an incredible wedding cake designer and patisserie maker, based in Berkshire, and we first connected a few years ago when I was also making wedding cakes. Since then, though I have changed direction (following my joy and starting this business), Fen has gone from strength to strength in the wedding cake world – designing many bespoke and elegant creations. It’s been such a pleasure to witness and I can’t wait to see where the future takes Fen and MonAnnie. Let’s get to know more about the lovely lady behind the Creative Business…

Continue reading Creative Business: Wedding Cake Designer, Fen Bolodeoku of MonAnnie

“Something I often forget to do but have learnt is really important, is simply picking up my pen and just playing with it…”

Next up in the Creative Business series we have modern and wedding calligrapher, Emily Kelly of Penned by Em. I can’t actually remember how I came across Emily’s talent, but I do remember being instantly transfixed by her creations (especially when she shows videos of calligraphy up close!). As an artist, writer, and designer, I love gorgeous words… but, somewhat ironically, my handwriting is awful. Ask me to paint, draw, or digitally create a beautiful word and I’m on it; ask me to write it in pen, by hand, and I panic. It’s why I have the greatest respect for calligraphers, especially creative ones like Emily, and have modern calligraphy high up on the list of skills I would love to learn. Without further ado, let’s find out more about the inspiring woman behind the creative business…

Continue reading Creative Business: Modern Calligrapher, Emily Kelly of Penned by Em

“My why is that this is where I can give the most to others, while being most true to myself.”

The world feels unsettling and confusing right now and so many people are finding things tough. This includes a lot of small businesses and the self-employed, across so many industries. I in no way want to gloss over the difficulties, but I also think it’s important to continue celebrating the wonderful creative businesses we have in the UK and, more importantly, the inspiring women behind them. With that in mind, the next feature in the Creative Business series is UK and destination wedding planner, Valentina Ring, of The Stars Inside. Creativity, light, and inspiration (three of my favourite things), shine out from Valentina in everything she does. I can’t wait to get to know her further…

Continue reading Creative Business: Wedding Planner, Valentina Ring, of The Stars Inside