Business Gateway gives local fashion designer a flair for business
Moving from a makeshift workshop in her parents’ home to her own premises on Wick High Street has been the highlight of fashion designer Jennifer Easton’s first year in business.
The 24-year-old, from Randolph Place, Wick, launched her fashion label ‘JAED’ last April and is celebrating 12 months of trading by taking on her first member of staff and organising a party to say ‘thank you’ to all her supporters.
And as her order book has increased – including designing Miss Inverness a ‘Great Britain’ inspired outfit for a ceilidh - so too has her business acumen thanks to ongoing help and advice from Business Gateway.
The graduate of Heriot Watt’s renowned School of Textiles and Design said: “If someone had told me when I started out that I’d have moved into my own shop and be taking on an employee just 12 months after setting up I wouldn’t have believed them. My designs have been well received by people from throughout the region, it’s fantastic.
“Business Gateway has been with me every step of the way, giving me the backup I need to keep JAED, which stands for Jennifer Ann Easton Design, on the right track. Having a regional development officer to turn to when I have a question about things such as tax or record keeping has been so reassuring, plus the networking opportunities they have advised me of have been really beneficial.”
Like many entrepreneurs, Jennifer has had to alter her business aims to meet market demand, moving her focus from purely creating designs to sell in a shop to producing more bespoke, one-off outfits.
She said: “The made-to-measure side of the business has really taken off and I’ve not had as much time to produce my own designs to sell in the shop, which I originally thought would comprise the bulk of my sales. Although it’s a lot harder to produce one-off clothes for weddings, proms and events, it is guaranteed income and has given me greater peace of mind. Plus I now undertake a lot of alterations, including for a local wedding and kilt boutique, so my new employee is going to help with that side of the business.”
Jennifer Irvine, Regional Development Officer for Business Gateway in Caithness, said: “Jennifer has proven that you don’t need to live in London, Paris or Milan to make it in the fashion world. Her designs have real ‘wow’ factor which fashion-conscious Highlanders have really embraced. We worked with closely with Jennifer to help get the business off the ground and we look forward to continuing this support as JAED develops over the coming months.”
Following JAED’s ‘thank you’ party, which is set to take place in May and will see regular customers, friends of the business and family raise a glass to Jennifer’s success, the former Wick High School pupil will set about inspiring other budding designers who attend Thurso Youth Group.
She said: “I’ve been invited to work with the group to help the members develop their own style and skills, teaching them how to customize outfits and basic sewing techniques. There’s a real renaissance for things like knitting and sewing and I’m really looking forward to working with them. Who knows, I might end up inspiring some of them to become designers who’ll then go on to set up their own business!”
Business Gateway provides practical help, advice and support for new and growing businesses in Scotland. To find out more about how it can help you set up and develop your own business visit www.bgateway.com or call 0845 609 6611. Alternatively call your local office directly on 01955 605360.
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