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Forum - Who or what inspires you?
Who or what inspires you?
Fri, 01/04/2011 - 13:04 — Mark Williams
Maybe someone you knew inspired you to start your business – maybe it was a well-known entrepreneurial icon or lesser-known business owner you had read about or seen on TV? Maybe you were inspired to solve a problem or serve a need you had identified? What inspired you to start your business and what inspires now in your quest to turn it into an even more successful venture?
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I rolled a lifetime problem into my business. So I started www.genite.com as a one stop online shop for whiteboard, flipchart, aboard, display stand etc. I had the idea in my head for a while and I’d wanted my own business for long years, but never had the confidence. With no experience in business it was definitely a frightening concept for me but after some years I have decided that this was the time to start. Now I am fully satisfied with my own business.
It wasn't a specific person that inspired us to set up www.burtt-jonesandbrewer.com, more the fact we wanted to work with inspiring people. Being able to work independently and have the strength to stand up for what we believe in means a great deal to us. To create a company without politics, but with strong ethics and with the freedom to work with a handpicked team of talented, creative minds brings a daily dose of inspiration that reflects in our work.
We love what we do and we love the fact we're creating a commercial interior design practice that we hope is making a difference.
I'm not sure I can't put it down to any one person or situation but purely down to the frustration of returning back to work having had my children and realising the years of study and work I had put into getting where I was prior to having the kids was a total waste of time and my career was now non existent! Still it's early days for us at www.garam-masala.co.uk but it's been one hell of a challenge and I feel alive again! Indian cooking at it's best so for that inspiration I have to thank my mum!
I turned a lifelong problem into my business. At 5’1” I am too short for the fashion industry to see me. Being over 30 I’m invisible to them anyway, they only see women under 30. So I started www.shortcouture.com to make and sell clothes for short ladies, over 30. Well they do say that a niche market is the place to be. I had had the idea in my head for a while and I’d wanted my own business for years, but never had the confidence. With no fashion experience it was definitely a scary concept. After 12 years as an IT manager I think I had had enough of that, and decided that this was the time to start.
I was inspired by my Dad, who started his business when he was 19... He never made millions from it but I used to love the stories of how he started, how difficult it was, but how driven he remained. He worked in air ventilation and I would often go to work with him on school holidays... I didn't have many hobbies as a child! I loved the fact that he was his own boss, could take time off when he wanted, and would one day have something to sell.
It's a shame I grew up wearing rose tinted glasses - I had no idea of the stress and pressure that would be involved! That said, I have no regrets and hope that the old man is proud...
Bit clichéd but my children inspired me.
"When I fell pregnant in 2006 I knew that being a full time mum was the way I wanted to go and Daddy Moo supported my decision fully. After a while though my head began to fill with dribble and I missed stimulation running a nursery had given me and thus Charlie Moo's was born.
I was disheartened by the rubbish party bags, Charlie, had received at parties. Not only did it break straight away, it was either very age inappropriate or made of plastic. One party he received near enough a whole bag of chocolate. It became a slightly stressful experience. Charlie would wonder out of the party tightly clutching a plastic bag in his hand and we would either fight with him to get rid off the bits he could not have or have him hand us stuff as we said no, in most cases he would be left with a balloon and some bubbles. I took the plunge to build and start up my website after Megan was born in August 2008. I became very adapt at typing with one finger whilst breast feeding at 2am. I now sew all the fabric bags myself too! Family is very much at the heart of Charlie Moo's all my gang have a role to play. "
No celebrities or grand business icons for me. I was inspired by a secretary at the publishing company where I worked as an editor over 20 years ago. She was temping with us while she finished training as a beauty therapist (quite novel back in those days) and then she was going to set up her own business. I thought this was amazing, and amazingly brave. So I asked her lots of questions, which inspired me to go it alone too as a business writer. I later learned that it was my interest and belief in her that made her finally take the plunge. Never looked back.
I recently started my own small part-time business as a cake maker and decorater (www.gemscakes.com). When searching for celebration cakes myself, I found that the prices were outrageous and thought that this could be a niche market to get into. Nearly everyone needs a cake at some point in life, but high quality, affordable cakes seem to be impossible to find. So, as the solution, I started up Gems Cakes – my answer to fun, novelty affordable cakes. I bring a little personality and sparkle to your special occasion. My cakes are made to the same high standards as anywhere else but with much lower prices.