Vicky Connor: art angel

What inspired you to set up your own business?

Like many women who have taken time off to have a child I found myself totally re-evaluating my life. I was never happy working for anyone else as I have always been one of those annoying employees who has a habit of doing things their way and not toeing the party line. So when we realised that with a bit of cutting back we could live without a second full-time wage it gave me the green light to do something for myself. More importantly it allowed me to stay at home with my son.

How easy did you find the process? Did you have to borrow money?

As my company started off REALLY small scale the actual set up wasn’t so hard. I tried going to a local business centre, but they couldn’t really offer me anything so I sat down and devised a business plan. I used Word to create the most basic website you have ever seen, but it worked. A presence on the internet – however basic – will always help. Finance was a bit of a sticking point as NOBODY was willing to lend any amount of cash to a new mum with only a part-time business in mind. I remember the first bank I had my business account with being horribly patronising and the business guy saying “It’s just for pin money then?” when he asked what I intended to do. I was really upset but walked out of there thinking that I knew I had a great idea, and as long as I had the vision that’s all that mattered. I switched banks the minute the business took off! I ended up financing the set up with my credit card, which was crazy but it worked.

How long have you been going now?

It’s been two-and-a-half years and in that time I have gone from doing the odd party locally to having 10 ladies working for me around the country and a very healthy corporate arm. It’s been really hard work but it’s great to see it all pay off. Of course it would be even better if I just enjoyed it for a bit, but I find it impossible to let things just amble along. There is always a new angle or a new product to create which is why I ended up setting up my publishing company (Clementine Publishing). I got the chance to be an author (a huge personal goal for me) and I have the chance to help others do it too.

Why The Art Angels? Have you always been interested in crafts?

There was an inevitability about it I suppose – my mum was a Guide leader and my Dad a Scout leader. I spent my childhood on camps or learning how to make something out of nothing. I find designing and making things very therapeutic, but I hadn’t really done much for a long time. Then I had my son. And I really enjoyed using the time in between feeds and naps to just create and use my imagination. A chance to concentrate on something else other than nappies for a while!

How does the business fit in with family life?

At first it was absolutely fine as children’s parties are usually at the weekend when my other half was at home. Slowly, however, things began to change as I took on more and more corporate work, which is generally during the week. When I decided to expand and take girls on across the country I hit crisis point as that meant I needed to put packs together and get them sent out by mid-week. Luckily my mum and dad are retired and love having Charlie, so they would either come over and help out or just take him for a few hours. My 14 year-old niece came to live with us in September and that has taken a bit of readjustment, but she is incredibly creative and a brilliant spare pair of crafty hands.

Was it hard to set up with a small baby around?

Babies are a stumbling block for other people, really. Some people don’t take you seriously or see you as a viable business, when they find out you have a family. But it’s about how you see having a baby that counts and, to be honest, it’s more about time management and passion. If the former is good and the latter strong then babies, dogs, school runs etc will not get in your way! Anyway, I have found that small babies are easier to deal with when you have a business. It’s when you have a three year-old picking up the phone and announcing to a client he has just had a poo or emptying boxes as fast as you are packing them – that’s when the problem starts! Thank goodness for Grandmas and Granddads is all I can say.

How does the Leader Angel scheme work?

I employ my girls on a contract-by-contract basis. I set up the party for them and then send them their stuff for the party during the week. That’s it. There is no outlay for anyone as I have seen so many mums get stung by various working-from-home schemes – myself included – and I don’t want that.

How many people do you have working for you as Leader Angels now?

As it stands I have 10 Leader Angels who are a mixture of mums, art teachers and people who just like crafts and kids and are based all over the country. They are the core of my business and without their enthusiasm and loyalty I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Clementine Publishing has four staff based in Bolton and Esher, Surrey.

To find out more about The Art Angels, visit www.the-art-angels.co.uk, email info@the-art-angels.co.uk, or phone 01204 853176 or 07793 867393.

Tags: Inspirational Women, Women in business