Category: Creative Business

“This has been a huge lesson learnt as a small business owner. Attracting the right customer. Ones that align with you, get as excited as you about ideas…”

 

Needless to say, this year has been tough for all of us… but especially those in the wedding and event industry. My heart really goes out to them. That’s why I’m especially pleased the last Creative Business feature of the year is a wonderful wedding supplier: designer and stylist, Kirsten Butler of The Little Wedding Helper. Kirsten and I have only fairly recently connected on social media but I was well aware of her creative work long before (going back to when I was still making wedding cakes in my first business). She has such an eye for bringing a couple’s personality into their styling, in an imaginative way, that’s really inspiring. She’s also a lovely woman who seems to care very deeply about her work. I’m really looking forward to this. It’s time to find out more about the woman behind the creative business… Continue reading Creative Business: Designer & Stylist, Kirsten Butler of The Little Wedding Helper

“So I wouldn’t say I’ve always been creative…. I’d say creativity is part of who I am. It’s what lights me up and makes me, me!”

 

Time for another Creative Business feature… the ever so talented, caring, and stylish, Lauren Goodman of Bluebird Creative Events. Lauren is one of the most inspiring people I know. Watching her navigate 2020 with style and integrity has been amazing. As a Surrey wedding planner, coordinator, and stylist, the last year has been (understandably) challenging, but has that stopped Lauren from creating unforgettable experiences? Not in the slightest. In fact, she’s managed to come up with a ‘pivot’ so perfect for her brand, by offering at home services and products involving food and creativity… I mean, what’s not to love?!

I first got to know Lauren on social media, back when I was making cakes in the wedding industry. Little did I know at the time (but very soon realised), she lives just a five minute walk from my studio. Going to a local café for a good chat was starting to become a very enjoyable habit before Covid… and I’m so looking forward to a time when we can talk all things creativity and business again. In the mean time, let’s get to know more about the wonderful woman behind the business…

Continue reading Creative Business: Wedding Planner, Coordinator, & Stylist, Lauren Goodman of Bluebird Creative Events

“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