BUSINESS NEWS
ADMIN LADY TO MILIPRENEUR
By Amy Nolan
Istarted my transition from NHS ‘Admin Lady’to ‘Milipreneur’inthe very February of this
year.Itisafairly common story amongst military spouses. We had recently moved to married quarters and whilst this had been the right decision for us as acouple, it had meant that my current job was no longer viable due to the commute. Ihad always wanted to work for myself using my artistic skills and my husband suggested that Ishould take the opportunity presenting itself and give my business, Ginger rainbow a‘proper go’ for ayear and see what happened. My business mission is to “make a living with my creative skills and create things that make people happy”.
It’s early days and I’m still working it all out as Igoalong, registering as self employed, figuring out marketing on social media, approaching potential customers and trying out the rather grown up sounding activity of ‘business networking’. Iamlucky to have an incredibly supportive husband who is cheering me on, access to amazing resources courtesy of the RAF (spousal development programme) and aplace on the Supporting the Unsung Hero Dependants’ Business Start-Up Programme –which Iwill be attending in September.
Iwould describe myself as an artist (still getting used to that). Ioffer all kinds of things from face and baby bump-painting, art sessions for kids, invite design, nursery prints, bespoke celebration graphics and handmade colouring in gifts. It’s month five and Iamstarting to get
26 Autumn 2016
bookings and interest, which is amazing.
So ‘Pillowcases, with love’ is a product that Ihave developed, registered and am launching this
summer.This idea came to me after sending my husband some bedding when he was out on detachment. Ihad been designing t’shirts and bags for children to colour in with fabric pens and thought that combining this idea with comfy bedding items would be agreat way to send some love and alittle bit of luxury out to a parent who was
away.Itisalso a nice activity for children and the parent at home to do together. They went on sale from August 1st 2016.
Iamstill at the start of my journey.Iamlearning all the time; some things have worked well and others haven’t. Ihave so much to learn and sometimes that feels overwhelming. However it is exciting as well and Ifeel incredibly lucky to be growing my small business and working on a long held personal dream in such asupportive community.Iwould urge anyone else in asimilar position to go for it as well, who knows what may happen!
If you want to know how my journey pans out, this is my blog –Ipost once aweek at rainbowllamacorncolouringclub.
wordpress.com.I would love to hear from you especially if you are amilitary spouse!
You can stay up to date with “Pillowcases with Love” by liking Ginger rainbow on Facebook or popping over to Twitter and connecting there @mylifescribble.
raf-ff.org.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60