Being a young woman in a start-up business during the recession in the UK has not been easy!  But whilst some think my age or ethnicity would have held me back, my drive and hard work shows people that there are young people out there who want to do well and are willing to work to achieve their goals. So I do find the business community takes me seriously and the most amazing opportunities are being opened up for me.  

 

Getting Inspired

From a young age I wanted to own and run my own business, and I began designing clothes and dreaming of the lifestyle I could have if I worked for myself.  In my early teens I started selling fashion items on eBay [with my parents’ permission], it helped me generate pocket money. I then stared working on a part-time basis for a major high street fashion store when I was 16 and was quickly put in charge of product merchandising and running the store - I saved my money and started researching the type of business I wanted to run.  When I was 18 I started importing and exporting designer swimwear and resort wear collections and also began designing my own collections.  I loved IT! And having a natural flair for web design, I built my website and got everything up and running when I was 18. Because everything was really taking off I put my place at university on hold for a year and then when the next year came around I decided not to go - I cancelled my place - and I have not looked back.  

  

Transcending ~ How far she has come…

I've only just got started on my exciting journey.  I work long hours but everything is enjoyable.  There is so much to learn and the experiences I am gaining today will be my wisdom for the future.  My company sells our products across the world, I have created two swimwear brands which are wholly owned by my on-line boutique and we have brought them to market (they also sell across the world). We are also the official swimwear sponsors for Miss Universe GB, Miss England and Miss Galaxy UK, and we work with top stylists and celebrities and provide them with their holiday wardrobes.  Additionally, we are business partners with The Hotel Du Vin and MalMasion and I am creating an exclusive collection for The Variety Club to be sold in 2012. This has not happened by good luck or good fortune - it has been because of the hard work we put in each day.

 

Take Her Top Tips!!
For me, I have found the keys to success are; be open minded and think outside the box, be creative, network, stay in a learning mode and THINK BIG!