entrepreneurs 21


Pictures by Angus Thomas


discover the story behind it, which is lovely – you almost feel you get to know the loved one they have lost. For us, it’s all about celebrating a life by remembering the person as an individual.


Where do you get your determination to succeed from?


My father. My brother and I were very fortunate; when we were growing up our parents talked to us about what was going on in the world, current affairs, politics, we would always be included and that made me very curious.


They also taught me about the world of books and rather than read something like Treasure Island, I would much prefer a good autobiography or travel book, I always wanted to find out more.


Is there a secret to your success?


I think it’s the fact that in launching the concept of colourful coffins, we found something which hadn’t been done before. It took a long time for the market to embrace it, but we are finally there and, most importantly, we’ve never lost that personal touch. It’s never been about the money and it’s not about the product itself, it’s always been about the families. I think people have finally grasped that and understand us now.


It’s very much a family business, does that work well?


It does, Kevin is a great designer and he looks after all the creative and technology side, Bob is on the road in sales, so he spends a lot of time with the funeral directors, and Kate is involved in customer care. It makes it very personal, which is perfect for the business we are in.


What’s your greatest achievement?


It has to be winning the Gaia Award, which was for the most inspirational and successful female entrepreneur running a business with a clearly defined social and/or ethical purpose at its heart. I was so proud of what we had achieved and the award wasn’t just for me, it was for all the team who have worked so hard. They’ve been incredibly loyal and I couldn’t have done it without them.


I’m also very touched by many of the wonderful letters we receive from families, it makes my job very special, knowing in some small way we’ve helped brighten their lives on a very sad day.


You’re committed to charity fundraising; I believe you’ve just founded a new charity?


Yes, we’ve raised money for charities such as Oxford Children’s Hospital and bereavement charity SeeSaw. Now we’re involved in the launch of a new charity called the Child Funeral Charity (www. childfuneralcharity.org.uk), which is very exciting.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2014


I’m a co-founder and trustee, together with some like-minded colleagues from the funeral industry. We’ve all been involved in helping families arrange a funeral for a baby or child and we’ve seen what an emotionally difficult time it can be. We launch this summer and we’ll be working with professionals such as midwives, bereavement nurses, hospices and funeral directors, who can refer a family to us for financial support if they feel they are struggling with the pressures of paying for their child’s funeral.


Losing a child is bad enough, coping with additional costs for the funeral can be devastating. It’s not a bereavement charity, there are many of those which do an excellent job, this is about giving financial support at a time of greatest need and we hope it will make a real difference.


Between work and the charity launch you don’t have much downtime, but away from the office, what do you like to do?


I love dancing – Kevin and I met at a dance, he was in the United States Air Force and had been posted to RAF Croughton. Last year we celebrated our ruby wedding and we still love dancing together. I also like travelling and gardening, plus I’m grandmother to Bob’s three children and Kate’s little boy, and I enjoy playing with them. I’m also a carer for my mum, who’s 92, so what with running the business full time, I’m never idle.


You’ll be 70 next birthday, time to slow down?


Absolutely not. I couldn’t think of anything more awful than stopping work one day and never feeling the thrill of wondering what the day had in store. There’s no substitute for a good day’s work and the thrill of the competition; that’s what I enjoy.


Details: www.colourfulcoffins.com www.businessmag.co.uk


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