Sandy Hamblyn, Beadifferent Jewellery
I run a business called Beadifferent Jewellery, which sells beautiful handmade jewellery via party plans, based in Eastbourne.
Several years ago I became disillusioned with my career as a tax consultant. I was tired of commuting and of juggling my office based job with bringing up three children. It was time to do something creative, something that I really enjoyed and that was more flexible to accommodate a growing family’s needs. So I started designing, making and selling unique handmade jewellery at affordable prices.
I began by selling my jewellery via small boutiques, art galleries, hairdressers and via parties in customers’ homes, where it soon became apparent that the most fun and effective method of selling my jewellery was the party plans.
Although I started slowly so as to minimise financial exposure, momentum built and I am currently taking on about one party planner a week.
To begin with I ran my business alongside my day job to ensure it was viable and I would recommend this to anyone starting a new business. Cash flow is the hardest aspect to manage even when you have a fantastic accountant as I do. I would definitely recommend talking to an accountant very early on as they should play devils advocate and challenge the viability of your business idea! I would also highly recommend drafting a business plan and sharing it with a mentor/sponsor who can challenge and guide you though every aspect of starting your own business, as they already have experience of the necessities and pitfalls.
A complete stranger inspired me to take the plunge, a successful businesswoman whom I met on a flight home from holiday. When I told her my business idea she said “I think you will be wildly successful because of the type of person you are”. I liked her!
Now that my business is growing I am relieved to have survived the first year and I am very much looking forward to expanding into other counties and meeting yet more fantastic women who want to join in our success!
