Ann Guise Silk Wedding Veils began in a quiet residential street in Cardiff in 2002. The service is unique because Ann is the only wedding veil designer who specialises in bespoke veils, with each one handmade and tailored according to what the customer desires.

When she started the business, Ann noticed that most of the wedding veils on the market were made of polyester and felt that consumers were not given enough choice

Brides can spend a huge amount of time and money on their wedding dress, so Ann determined that they should be able to choose a wedding veil that will compliment their dress perfectly.

“Each veil is unique and an heirloom that can be passed from sister to sister, or mother to daughter and is a lovely ‘something borrowed’,” she told The Fresh Outlook.

Ann’s love for fashion and fine fabrics goes back even further: “I started designing at the age of five, making dresses for my dolls on a child’s Singer hand sewing machine.  Age seven I watched an item on Blue Peter on how to make a doll’s dress, which really got me going.  Age 11 I started making my own clothes using an electric sewing machine – and never looked back.”

Ann graduated in Fashion and Textile Design at Harrow Art College, now part of the University of Westminster. She spent four years working as a costume designer at the BBC Television Centre in London before transferring to the costume department at the BBC Television Centre in Cardiff where she worked for 14 years.

When the Silk Veils first began, Ann was producing half a dozen veils a week. Eight years later, the amounts of orders received weekly has increased dramatically. She credits social media for allowing her business to boom: “The huge increase in social media has allowed more people [to] hear about my work.

“This results in more information about me being written on blogs and magazine articles, which then results in more interest in my veils and consequently more orders from all over the world.”

Requests for the veils have come from as far away as Australia, Hong Kong, Dubai and New Zealand as well as from all over Europe and the UK.

Each bespoke veil is handmade from 100% silk tulle fabric. It is created using traditional methods that were developed during the 1800s.

So what does the future hold for the thriving business? Ann still has many ambitions to fulfil: “I’d love a gallery where I can showcase and sell my veils along with unique bridal accessories made by other specialist designers”.

By Louisa Guise

[Image courtesy of Philip Fearnley photography, Halifax]

Danielle Walden is a young Welsh woman who has just launched her innovative fashion label, DMG.

This independent fashion label distributes nationwide, creating affordable, sustainable fashion. Speaking exclusively to The Fresh Outlook, Danielle told us how her label utilises vintage and second hand band t-shirts and transforms them into “fabulous, pocket friendly, easily wearable dresses and tees with an unmistakable DMG aesthetic”.

Described by her friends as being ambitious, loyal and incredibly straight talking, Danielle told us about the major challenge she has faced so far:

“It isn’t just me working for the label anymore, certain aspects, have been outsourced in the short time we’ve been operating but it was incredibly surreal to be at the helm of the wheel, making decisions for the brand as a whole, when I have previously been lucky enough to work in very sociable, collaborative environments. But I’m not about to pretend I don’t enjoy the freedom and control that comes with it.”

Speaking about how important is to be multitasking when launching your own business, Danielle said:

“I knew nothing about web design, ecommerce, promotion, marketing or distribution but eventually if you want to learn you find it out; and it’s great to look back and see that what you have put together has made you more capable and given you skills you didn’t expect to ever have.”

Danielle, who, being so busy with DMG, says she could do with duplicating herself, said that the greatest inspiration for her business came from her mother and sister:

“I’ve been quite lucky as I’m basically surrounded by examples of women who are doing it for themselves. My mother and sister are both small business owners and have a similar independent and ambitious streak to me and the support of friends is beyond crucial when starting a business at any time, let alone in such an unstable economic climate.”

Danielle also talked about how important is to receive the support of local business people and promoters:

“It has also been great that owners of similar businesses, promoters and events organisers in the local areas have really taken to the brand and have offered a great deal of unexpected support, for which we couldn’t be more grateful.”

Speaking about the key to success, Danielle said:

“Largely, I’ll tell you when we’ve hit our first million. But any progression or victories which have been achieved so far are largely a combination of networking, a lot of research, belief in our approach and your product, tenacity – as an SME, no one is ever going to offer you anything, you need to continuously chase leads, coverage and opportunities until you’re satisfied – and blogging; a boatload of blogging.”

DMG, an independent fashion enterprise, provides recycled items designed by its fearless owner, who, with the appearance of a super model, walks on the catwalk of green fashion with flair and originality.

By Rosaria Sgueglia

[Image courtesy of Danielle Walden]

When she graduated from college, Analisa Hightower was one of the many young and unemployed people looking for a job. After a short stint in fashion, where she helped a friend with the launch of his men’s undergarment company, she decided to start her own company, fulfilling her desire to help people by “making sure all the money goes back to the people”.

Analisa’s company, Lola’s Foundation, an American not-for-profit organisation, relocates goods and services that otherwise would go to waste in order to provide families and shelters in need with food, supplies, health education and access to afterschool programmes.

As she runs such an interesting project, Analisa seemed like the right person to talk to for business and life advice.

Being an ambitious person, Analisa has always known the value of ambition and attitude when launching your own business as well as during unpredictable moments in life. When speaking about the key to success, Analisa confirmed that yes, attitude is everything:

“Of course ambition, determination and innovation are keys in creating products and running a business. But attitude will take you there. Skills can be learned, I’m a firm believer and example of that. But attitude will determine if someone will bother to learn those skills or push forward even though things look bleak. And if it doesn’t work at the end of the day, if you gave it your best shot, you know there’s nothing you could have done differently,” she said.

Analisa, who could count on the help of her family and friends, mainly found the inspiration for her organisation from her grandmother, her ‘Lola’ in Tagalog, one of the languages spoken in the Philiphines:

“I named the foundation after her because she was an entrepreneur; growing up in poverty in the Philippines, raising her siblings without parents and then raising her own family. She was an entrepreneur, started her own business and sent her kids through school. After that she sent her grandkids through school and helped raise me. She stressed helping others out, which is what her foundation aims to do,” Analisa said.

Analisa, who is evidently a determined person, told us about the time she had to deal with sexist remarks from male colleagues: “I’ve faced those,” she said. “I [would] say, ‘You’re making me uncomfortable.’
Some have gotten the hint, others haven’t. Those who do I still talk to. Those who don’t? I just have to avoid,” she added.

Moreover, if she had the chance to go back in time and change her past, she said she would have been more assertive and she would have said ‘no’ to friends who had wanted to go into business together: “There’s a dynamic between friends where when in business together, they want to walk on eggshells. One will eventually blow up at the other which puts a strain on the friendship. I’ve found family is actually easier to do business with because there is a much more open line of communication.”

For more information regarding Analisa and Lola’s Foundation, please visit www.mylola.org

By Rosaria Sgueglia

[Image courtesy of Analisa Hightower]

When we asked Karen Roem to tell us one major thing a woman who is building a career should know, she said: “Believe in yourself and anything is possible,” asking: “Am I allowed a second one? Do one thing every day that scares you,” she added, before admitting that she had “pinched” it from Eleanor Roosevelt.

Karen, who manages her own software training and support company, spoke to The Fresh Outlook (TFO) about her life as a Dutch business woman in England.

Karen is “somebody who knows what she wants and once she sets her mind on doing something, she makes sure she succeeds,” or at least that’s what her best friend would probably say about her. It seems as if this description is highly accurate, too.

Founding Roem Limited in 2001, Karen decided that her own business was going to be different:

“I decided that the company’s core values and actions would be to bring innovation and imagination into an area that can often be perceived as dry. Traditional training can be very linear, with instructors ordering you to ‘click here’. Students learn via repetition, being shown examples to apply what they learn, but not necessarily how to apply it to their own individual circumstances.”

Importing a revolutionary method from the US which is more applicable to students and their different learning styles, Karen brought the hands off teaching and learning experience to ensure higher levels of competency. “The result is an enjoyable experience that focuses on how participants can apply what they are learning to their own particular circumstances,” she said.

Karen brought her revolutionary idea into the marketplace by offering a wide range of services from standard ‘off the shelf’ training to ‘hands-off’ seminars, bespoke training, virtual training, computer-based training simulations, computer coaching programme, self-study and IT clinics.

“None of my main competitors in the marketplace – regionally nor nationally – were offering the unusual hands off approach to IT training. As time went on others were also introducing the approach and I realised it was important to both myself, my company as well as my customers that we offer a variety of traditional and non-traditional teaching, which allows for the fact that not everyone learns well in a traditional classroom environment,” Karen said.

Karen, who loves a good challenge, said that if she could have a superpower she would love to have “the ability to make bosses realise that businesses must continue to train people, despite the recession; invest in employees and help them to build their skills so that they will be better placed to compete in the future”.

Moreover, she also gave three recession-beating training tips: keep it local, as there are plenty of training courses in your local town and opt for half-day courses to cherry-pick topics so people can exactly what they need to learn rather than sitting through standard full-day course.

Do you want to learn more about Karen’s software training and support company? Please visit her website at www.roem.co.uk .

By Rosaria Sgueglia

[Image courtesy of Karen Roem]

Her daughter would describe her as being “fantastic, beautiful and lovable”; her son as “nice and a mum person”; her partner says she’s “moody, fun and contradictory”; and her mother calls her “vivacious, kind and intelligent”.

But there is even more to Gorgeous and Gluten Free creator Jane Williams. Jane is the founder of a platform for people affected by Coeliac disease and a shop to buy delicious gluten-free delicatessens; she used to be a singer; and if her life was a movie she would probably have Goldie Hawn playing her.

Given the opportunity to travel back in time, she would go back to the people she cared about and tell them that they are important and that they matter:

“Wearing your heart on your sleeve can be scary but as you get older I think you realise that being honest and true to yourself is what it’s about,” she said, talking exclusively to The Fresh Outlook.

Jane, who believes her family to be her biggest asset, spoke about how two major challenges made her the person she is today:

“I am a singer and have been since I was a young girl – singing in choirs, bands, Welsh TV, session work etc…so I would have to say that the biggest challenge to date is a chronic condition; I have an inner ear problem which affects my balance and equilibrium and is exacerbated by loud noise .This meant I had to stop singing with bands.”

Discovering not long after that she also had a wheat and gluten intolerance, Jane had to overcome not one but two incredibly difficult obstacles.

“I had no idea what was ‘OK’to eat, so it took a lot of experimenting and scouring the shelves at the supermarkets checking which products had gluten and which didn’t. Believe me there is gluten in no end of products.

I started baking gluten-free cakes for myself and was met with such positive results and feedback from friends and family that I realised that I had found my niche and that baking gluten-free products from home was the way forward for me .”

Speaking about her new business and her dream of becoming a singer, Jane said:

“Life threw me a curve ball and for while I wallowed and felt very sorry for myself but then I decided that there were other things I could do as well as being a singer. Since that time I have learned to adapt to my condition. The icing on the cake is I discovered that I can I still sing as long as the sound is not too loud but in this successful new chapter my primary focus now is my young but thriving business baking gluten-free products.”

Being such a determined woman, we asked Jane to share her key to success with us:

“Determination and a positive attitude. Do not let the setbacks get you down.

Learn from the mistakes and move on and don’t see them as failure but as something that’s leading you on to something better. Be willing to adapt. Don’t be too proud to take advice when it’s given, as everyday can be a chance to learn something new.”

Called ‘gorgeous’ for a reason, Jane’s gluten free products have recently been on display at the Brecon Food Festival.

Want to learn more about Jane, the gluten-free fairy godmother? Then visit gorgeousandglutenfree.co.uk.

By Rosaria Sgueglia

[Image courtesy of Jane Williams]

“I never wish things were easier, I only ever wish I was better,” says Aimee Bateman when asked to describe herself in one sentence. It’s not surprising that such a fearless statement comes from the woman behind the success of Bateman Associates.

Aimee, who is also the creator of Careercake.com, a blog which provides a window on the recruitment industry, is the founder and director of Bateman Associates, an employment business which aims to create opportunities for talented people and “source this talent for companies that truly value it”.

A cookies and cream ice cream lover, Aimee has inspired several people to pursue their dream jobs by giving speeches at national recruitment events and appearing as a recruitment expert on various TV shows on BBC1 and BB3.

When asked about how she became so successful, Aimee’s answer is concise but meanignful: “I made choices. Some were good and some were bad but I always made the choice. Whenever I am unhappy or restless in my career I make a change.”

Aimee, who would love to meet social media genius Gary Vaynerchuk one day, has been inspired by so many wonderful people before, during and after her business launch:

“It would be unfair to pick one person actually. I have a group of wonderful friends around me including a very supportive boyfriend. I am extremely fussy about who I spend my time with – probably because I like being on my own so much! I believe ‘you are who you hang with’ and so I only surround myself with considerate and compassionate people.”

Aimee is the kind of woman who would climb 10 flights of stairs even when eight months pregnant and it’s this determination that has led her to give such firm advice:

“People only treat you the way you let them treat you. If you’re good enough, you’re good enough – end of story.

And if you feel you are not good enough and need any help while reaching for your dream career, get in touch with Aimee Bateman at www.batemanassociates.co.uk .

By Rosaria Sgueglia

[Image courtesy of Aimee Bateman]

Over the past few years, Chloe Smedley has revolutionised the mother and baby world by bringing Amby Natures Nest to the UK; a baby cot which is designed to create a womb like effect. Here she tells The Fresh Outlook all about how she became British mothers’ little helper.

My Childhood

I grew up in Mottingham, SE London, which could hardly be described as an affluent area. I am one of five girls and although I had a very happy childhood, we certainly weren’t financially privileged.

I attended three different secondary schools so my education suffered. My working life from the age of 17 included cashier, barmaid, admin assistant, shop assistant and receptionist, to name a few.

“I had always wanted my own business…”

I had always wanted my own business and perhaps this is why I was not what most people would describe as a valuable employee, although I do believe experiencing different environments and positions helped me to understand how different businesses worked. I think I gained a lot more experience and knowledge than I realised during this time.

My First Pregnancy

At the age of 27 I became pregnant with my first child. At this stage of my life the idea of having my own business had to be put to one side and, like many mothers, I thought it would not be possible. At this time my sister in law had given me the most fantastic baby bed which she had imported from Australia – the Amby Natures Nest. My son loved it and I was the envy of bleary eyed mothers because he slept so well.

My Business Idea

Once I had time to adjust to life with my new baby I began looking around the web to see if there was anything similar in the UK and luckily there wasn’t. I contacted the head office in Australia to see if I could distribute the Amby Natures Nest in the UK. Initially the plan was to treat this new venture as a small income, and obviously the prospect of having my own business was very exciting.

The day after I signed the contract for the UK distribution I found out I was pregnant. My son at this stage was only eight months old; had I have known I was pregnant I honestly don’t think I would have signed on the dotted line as I would have thought that two babies and a start-up business would have been impossible. I was wrong.

Amby UK

Amby UK was meant to be a small part time job for me, but after two years it became extremely busy and successful. The first person I employed was my sister in-law and she has proven to be a big asset in the marketing of Amby, she too loves Amby as her three children also slept well in the Nest. Ten years and many awards later, I have now had another baby. Needless to say she too loved the Amby Natures Nest; she is now 15 months old.

“If you believe you can do it you will…”

Any parent that is passionate about starting their own business should not feel it is impossible. It will not happen overnight; take your time, find something you enjoy and are passionate about. There will be many ups and many downs but if you believe you can do it you will. Having my own business has enabled me to be at home with my children every day. I have been able to take them to and from school, spend the school holidays with them and have never had to miss a sports day. Having children does not mean that you cannot be your own person; the children have been involved and love seeing different pictures of babies in their Nest.

For more information please visit www.amby.co.uk

Interviewed by Rosaria Sgueglia

[Image courtesy of Chloe Smedley]

Women with Choices Ambassador Michelle Collingwood has a cat called Vinnie, loves chocolate so much she would like to invent an ice cream flavour called ‘Triple, Triple, Chocolate’ with a chocolate brownie infusion and she is the founder of Pinkeys Nail Bar, a glamorous nail bar based in Cardiff.

After working for one of the UK’s largest independent nail companies for two years, Michelle decided to go solo in November 2009 when she opened her nail bar business, which offers a range of interesting treatments and the recently launched collection of ‘Pinkeys Polishes’.

Specialising in Bio Sculpture Gel, Ez Flow Acrylic and SHELLAC & MINX, Michelle spoke to The Fresh Outlook to allow us to meet the woman behind one of the most successful businesses in South Wales.

27-year-old Michelle is a good listener and gives good advice – or at least that’s what her best friends would say about her. “I like to joke around a lot and do silly things. I think being a little insane keeps you sane! I’m sure they would also say that I’m a good listener and give good advice,” she said.

Michelle’s friends are not the only ones who would take advice from her: we certainly wouldn’t mind receiving free tips from the woman who is also the sponsor of Miss Wales 2011.

Speaking about launching her own business, Michelle said:

“I have always been very ambitious and driven, so deciding to launch my own business was very appealing and exciting to me. Whilst working for one of the UK’s leading nail salons, I realised that the money I was making them, I could be making for myself.”

That’s how Michelle started her adventure: by keeping in mind that challenges and success are two sides of the same coin.

“There will always be challenges in business, but there will always be solutions. Failure is not an option for me, I always try to remain focused on what it is I wish to achieve and that helps me to overcome any obstacles,” Michelle explains.

If obstacles are not a problem for Michelle, regrets certainly are. Speaking about what kind of advice she would give to women who want to start their own businesses, she said:

“Go for it. What have you got to lose? You lose more by regretting you never tried it. There will always be ups and downs; however, it will give you a great sense of achievement knowing you are doing it for yourself and your future.”

Michelle, who wishes she had launched her business sooner, is not only a businesswoman but also an ambassador for Women with Choices, a project run by The Fresh Outlook’s parent organisation, FreshTies, as well as various Welsh charities.

With so many responsibilities, her diary must always be fully booked, which is probably the reason why, when we asked her what kind of superpower she would like to have, she said:

“My superpower would definitely be to be able to clone myself so I can do more things.”

For more information, please visit www.pinkeysnailbar.com

By Rosaria Sgueglia

[Image courtesy of Michelle Collingwood]

Her friends would describe her as being energetic, creative and sensitive but Christine Bell is so much more than that: she is the business coach who helps people build more effective relationships at work with the members of their team; the trainer who shows you how to attract people’s attention with not particularly thrilling topics; and she is the woman who would love to experience her graduation again so that she could appreciate it more and smile for her parents.

Christine Bell is the director and founder of Bellthompson Real Life Learning, a business which enables companies and individuals to improve relationships with teams at work or develop new training skills.

Speaking to The Fresh Outlook, Christine talked about how she has managed her business so far, overcoming challenges and always reinventing her training approaches:

“I have always focused on providing what my clients want and then going beyond that. I have spent time researching my subject and maintained my passion and enthusiasm. I have kept creating and moving forward so that what I deliver as training products today are very different to how I might have approached the same challenge five years ago.”

Christine, who would never think of insulting her customers with “off the shelf, cookie cutter training”, has always worked hard to meet the individual needs of her clients by also keeping a good level of energy through the years.

Christine explained how one big challenge when she was 14 had changed her whole perception of life and challenges in general:

“The biggest challenge in my life was when my mum had a brain tumour when I was 14. Thankfully she survived but it rocked my world. After facing this kind of event when you are at this formative age, nothing else is going to be that big a challenge. Work is just work and any challenges and set backs are just little blips compared to what I faced when I was younger.”

Moreover, the experience taught her how to focus on the most important things: family and health.

“It taught me to remember that the most important things are your family and your health, the rest tends to take care of itself. When I die I don’t want ‘she worked hard and created a good business’ on my gravestone!”

She might not want it to be inscribed on her gravestone, but her business has gone beyond “good”, winning the heart of many individuals and companies such as  Pfizer Animal Health.

However, according to Christine, the key to true success doesn’t necessarily mean buying big houses or fancy cars, but it is strictly linked to chasing your dreams and doing something which makes you happy: “Being successful means maintaining your humanity and keeping in touch with your friends and caring for others.”

It is little surprise then that, if she had the chance, she would like to dine with Ghandi.

“Clearly we would need to drink water and eat lentils but it would be good to explore non-violent means of resolving conflict,” Christine said.

For more information on a different type of training, please visit www.bellthompson.co.uk

By Rosaria Sgueglia

[Image courtesy of Christine Bell]

Where did you find the inspiration for your business?

I always wanted to be a secretary, and did the necessary work by going to secretarial college and getting various diplomas and certificates. I progressed up the ranks to work as a PA in London for a director and the CEO of a merchant bank and then for the MD of a marketing consultancy. I eventually gave up the commuting from Brighton to spend a three year interlude doing ‘something completely different’ in horticulture. Horticultural wages being what they are, I returned to office work as Administration Manager for Cuprinol when they were based in Somerset. After meeting a blue-eyed Welshman in Plymouth, I moved to Mid Wales in 1993, where I now live contentedly on the side of a hill with my husband, his dogs and chickens, and my two cats.

Whilst my life in Mid Wales became more agreeable, I found a distinct lack of similar work opportunities to those I had previously been used to. Increasingly frustrated at not being able to use my many skills to the full, the idea of working for myself that had been fomenting away in the dark recesses finally came to the foreground when I was made redundant at the end of 2003.

What kind of difficulties did you find while trying to launch your own business?

I originally started up in partnership with a colleague who’d been made redundant at the same time. Things went well at first; I was happy to be patient whilst beavering away at the new business, and I got a part-time job to provide an income. Unfortunately, the business didn’t take off quickly enough for my partner, and there was a very acrimonious split. So the lesson to be learned from that is be very careful about going into partnership, and have procedures in place to make sure you communicate regularly about business matters. Not to be defeated, Office Stuff was launched in January 2005, and I was finally able to make the decision to run the business full-time in February 2006, giving up the part-time job.

Other than the partnership hiccough, I didn’t find there were any particular difficulties in launching the business. Obviously my background helped a great deal as I already had all the admin skills needed to run a business.

What kind of expectations did you have before setting your business? Did your business meet your expectations?

You always expect a new project to turn out the way you thought it would when you originally came up with the idea! I unrealistically expected Office Stuff to sail away on a fluffy white cloud into the sunshine of success and riches – mistake! You should try as far as you possibly can to take account of the unexpected. I couldn’t have predicted that I would be so good at what I do that my two major clients would outgrow the service I provided, and would need to employ someone full-time at their premises. Be realistic in your expectations, and be prepared for very hard graft to make your business a success.

Did launching your own business change you in any way?

It has given me more confidence in my abilities. I’ve always enjoyed using my initiative and ‘being in charge’, and now I’m running a business I’m definitely at the helm.

Did you learn something positively unexpected about yourself?

Not really. I think you have to be confident in yourself to take the plunge into running your own business, and I already was. If anything, I have become more patient, but less tolerant. There is a difference between the two. I’m more patient with clients who perhaps need more nurturing but much less tolerant of people who expect something for nothing, or who don’t value me and the skills I bring to their business.

What kind of person you were before setting your own business? What kind of person you are now?

I’ve always been a confident person, but I think I’m probably rather more diplomatic now.

Do you consider your business your biggest achievement? Yes? No? Why?

It’s one of my greater achievements, but not the only one. I’m essentially a survivor. I don’t dwell on things that haven’t worked out, we all have those, and the trick is not to become despondent and let them take over the rest of your life. Nothing is ever a failure because you learn from it. I don’t really spend a lot of time on analysis; I move on. There is nothing that beats the feeling you get when you’ve achieved a brilliant result for a client, and that’s what I aim for.

What was the response like? What do people say about your business?

My husband, family and friends were and are very supportive. They’re pleased when I’m successful, and commiserate when things don’t go so well. I have a close group of friends who run similar businesses and we’re very supportive of each other. We know we’ll always get a truthful opinion or helpful suggestions when we ask for them.

What do you dream about now?

Retirement! No, I can’t really see myself retiring. I’d like to grow the business, so that I can outsource more than I do at the moment. That’s the current plan.

Have you got any tips for women who want to launch a new business?

Research, research, research. Don’t hesitate to ask for help – people love being asked to do something for you. Take advice with a pinch of salt – I know of one virtual assistant who was advised by her accountant to charge a very low fee. So low in fact that she didn’t make any money at first! Don’t undervalue yourself. Ignore your gut instinct at your peril. And be patient… be very patient. It takes a lot of hard work to sell yourself and the services you provide and you need to build relationships. You won’t do that if you sit at home. People buy from people, so get out there and be seen.

Running my own business is great, and I really wouldn’t be doing anything else.

For more information, please visit www.office-stuff.biz