For years, Fiona Hawkins has always carried out all the alterations and dressmaking for family and friends and once her children reached school age, she started to think about perhaps doing it professionally.
She had her eye on a suitable location in Hartburn and when it became available in early 2010 she decided to go for it. A friend suggested that Fiona should contact Five Lamps for some advice on how to go about registering as self employed and the possibly of accessing some start-up funding.
For the next couple of months Fiona worked with Simon Coe, Five Lamps’ Business Development Officer, who signposted her onto Stockton’s Enterprise Gateway programme. Simon also went through each element of the business plan to be sure Fiona had thought carefully about all the pros and cons.
Fiona also came along to Five Lamps’ free Enterprise Gateway workshops which not only were very valuable in helping her to start her business but also put her in touch with a whole load of potential customers.
Simon helped her access a start-up grant from Stockton Council’s Communities Fund and in June 2010 she opened for business. From day one she has been very busy; what with, weddings, proms and special occasion dresses and outfits; her sewing machine has never stopped.
Ever versatile, she’s also made beehive covers, repairs to various teddies and a saddle for a rocking horse!
Fiona loves every minute of being self employed and recently commented
“I love getting out of the house each day, sewing, making beautiful clothes that bring a smile to my customer’s faces and make there special day extra special, and oh – making a bit of money”
Five Lamps run Communities Fund on behalf of Stockton Council to support people who are unemployed. The Enterprise Gateway is delivered by Five Lamps on behalf of Stockton Borough Council.
The Enterprise Gateway project is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, securing £380,643 ERDF investment. The ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013 is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region.