There is plenty of advice for budding entrepreneurs on business start ups, but what about the next stage for businesses who want to ‘get going’? Adviser spoke to Emily Mortimer Hendry whose eponymous jewellery business is getting media attention and increasing its turnover – surely a perfect combination for success.
B ecoming a jewellery designer must be the dream of many young women, but Emily made it happen, starting with several years of carefully planned tuition and work experience. “I trained at Leeds College of Art and Design for my foundation degree, then did a three year design and make jewellery degree at Sir John Cass School of Art. I also worked at Aspens in Woodbridge and spent five years working for contemporary jewellery designer Kiki McDonough in London, who taught me a huge amount about every aspect of jewellery design but especially working with coloured gemstones. I also consolidated my precious gemstone expertise with a Gemmological Association qualification.” Emily’s designs are often based around natural, organic shapes such as circles, teardrops and other natural forms. “Growing up on a Suffolk farm I saw shapes and colours around me every day that inspired my imagination and have now found expression in my designs. I see a pattern or a shade of colour I hadn’t noticed before, and that fires my creative thought process.” “I had been working in London for several years when in 2014, my now- husband flew back from Afghanistan to propose with an Indian diamond ring that had belonged to his great grandmother. Struck by the intricate beauty of the stone and the story behind it, I knew it was finally time to pursue my dreams.”
I met James Tucker a Business Advisory Partner at the Suffolk Show, and it’s really gone from there. He helped me formulate a business plan and to get the financial backing I needed to start my business. He’s also been invaluable in advising on how I should handle my tax and other day to day accounting.” Finally, we asked Emily what advice she’d give to someone planning to set up a business on their own? “Have a business plan. Make sure you have financial backing. Stick to your plan and get professional help for the things that you don’t know how to do. And be confident in yourself and your ideas! Working on your own can be really tough but it also gives you flexibility in working hours; I have to talk to my workshop in India during their working day, which is obviously a different time zone to the UK.” Emily Mortimer Jewellery has recently launched her latest jewellery collection which can be found on her website www.emilymortimer.co.uk or tel 07525 451753 . If you are thinking of setting up a business and need some straightforward advice contact James Tucker at james.tucker@scruttonbland.co.uk or 01473 267000 www.scruttonbland.co.uk
Emily flew out to India in April 2015 and on her travels through the stunning country, came across a semi-precious stone and diamond workshop in Mumbai that was ethically run, too. She now works with them, sending over her designs which are made up into 3-D computer prototypes that she can then refine before the pieces are made and sent to London for hallmarking. “I’m very fussy” she admits. “Quality control is so important; I want my customers to have the very best quality statement pieces that are versatile and exciting to wear.” Over the last twelve months Emily has concentrated on expanding her business and building her brand. How did she do this? “I knew that getting the pieces professionally photographed was fundamental to being featured in the quality fashion publications. My designs have been featured in Tatler, Brides and Absolutely Chelsea magazines.” Outside London she has targeted the country show market, and has taken stands at the Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Countryfile Live shows, plus the Blenheim Horse Trials. “As well as my own website I’m now getting featured on jewellery websites such as www.wolfandbadger.com and my next step will be to approach high street retailers to stock a few pieces. So where did Scrutton Bland come into her business development plans? “My dad has worked with advisers from Scrutton Bland for his farm business for many years and recommended that I spoke to the firm.
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