Running a Small Creative Business and Feeling Overwhelmed?

I can help! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure of your next steps, or just don’t know what you don’t know, there’s a good chance I’ve been there, and can help guide you out of the muddle that is running a small creative business!

Book Free Discovery Call

As Seen on the BBC's Make It At Market

I was delighted to join the Make It At Market team this year, mentoring two amazing embroiderers over 8 intense weeks with the help of the Repair Shop's Dominic Chinea! Check out the show airing soon on the BBC, iPlayer and Britbox.

Stuck in Admin, But Want to Be Creating?

You might have found yourself stuck in the admin of running a business, when you really want to be creating and making… Maybe you think you need staff to grow but have no idea how to go about it…. Or you might just need a little confidence to take the next steps… Working with a mentor who’s been in your shoes can bring clarity to those scary and stressful situations.

The Value of Having Someone Listen

The value of having someone listen, who can then help you work things through is priceless, and it’s so often been how I’ve worked through the many sticky points in running my own businesses over the last 15 years, leaning on my own mentors along the way.

A One-to-One Service Focused on You

This is a one to one service, where we truly focus on you and your business’ issues and roadblocks. That means there aren’t any one size fits all questionnaires or worksheets to complete.

We have open, honest and transparent conversations that help you figure out what you need to do. And if I have some helpful contacts, tools, or networks I will pass those on when needed.

See Pricing

Regular Calls to Keep You on Track

It’s useful to have a call every 2 weeks to keep you on track, but also give you time to implement any of the changes we’ve discussed.

I ask for a minimum commitment of 3 months (6 calls) as I think anything less won’t give us both the time needed to make some real deep shifts.

Plus you'll have access to support in-between sessions, and for 14 days after your last session!

Testimonial

"Stephanie was an exceptional and life changing mentor for me. She delivers feedback in a constructive and supportive manner and her advice and guidance is invaluable. I turned my hobby into a professional art business with Stephanie's guidance and even after our mentoring has ended I use her words to guide so many of my decisions. If you are just starting out and  want to transform yourself and your future I highly recommend Stephanie as your mentor."

- Connie Baker-Horne / CBH Embroidery

Testimonial

"Being mentored by Stephanie was the best thing I ever did for my business. Stephanie made me realise so many ways in which I could improve my business. I was taught how I could make my products more cost effective and quicker and easier to make so that I could save time when creating products. My website improved so much while working with Stephanie, since all the work has been done, I have seen a large growth in views on my website, and a large growth in sales on my website.

Stephanie is so lovely to work with, she has so much knowledge and experience, I always looked forward to our calls and I felt so much more inspired and motivated to keep going with all the work after the calls were over. Stephanie is a very genuine, down to earth person and is very knowledgeable.

I highly recommend working with Stephanie. I now no longer feel lost in where my business is going and have a clear view of what is next and how to achieve it. Thank you, Stephanie, for all the help you have given me and the inspiration and motivation that you have given me to keep building my dream job."

- Catherine Kemp / Stitching Spirit

My Business Journey

I have been running my own creative businesses since 2010, and before that my entrepreneurial spirit came through in my roles in hospitality and events management, including organising a free festival for over 5000 people and running a busy campsite in France at just 18 years old.

The Birth of Hawthorn Handmade

In 2010 at the age of 24, I opened my own gallery and shop space on my local high street called Hawthorn Contemporary Arts & Craft (snappy!) I sourced and sold the work of over 100 UK designers and makers including stunning glass, silver, wood, metal and textiles, all handcrafted locally. We also had a haberdashery and ran creative workshops in the evenings. Not long after opening I taught myself to needle felt, and quickly began selling my own sculptures, both in my own gallery and also at contemporary fairs and galleries across the country.

Expanding into Craft Kits

At this point I'd taught hundreds to needle felt in person, and it wasn’t long before I put together a simple starter kit. They went down so well I began thinking about creating a range of kits to sell, and Hawthorn Handmade was born. I worked hard on the first 6 designs and launched them in May 2013, getting 6 wholesale accounts in the first month. Our first trade shows quickly followed, and by late 2014, I had decided to walk away from the gallery and focus on HH full time.

Experience That Can Help You

Since then, the business, myself and my team have experienced and achieved such a huge amount, it’s impossible to quantify it here. But that’s where my mentoring comes in. I have so much experience in running an award winning small creative business, and I have a massive passion for other small businesses, so it feels natural to now be sharing this knowledge and experience to hopefully help you out with your own venture.

What I Can Offer You

I have experience in developing cohesive collections and ranges; selling wholesale in both the UK and US; trade shows; packaging and photography; managing your time and getting the most out of your resources – however limited; growing and managing a team and working with freelancers; ensuring you’re actually making a profit; and so much more!

Though I’ve done a lot of marketing and branding over the years, if you are specifically looking for a rebrand, or social media tips, I’m probably not your gal, but if you want to learn how to build a sustainable business where you’re making money and creating the life you want, then maybe I am - book a call and we can find out!

Book Free Discovery Call

Finding the Right Mentor

There are a lot of mentors and coaches out there (disclaimer – I am not a trained coach 😊) and finding your perfect fit is vital. One thing I will say, I am quite direct and opinionated, but it’s always from a place of caring, and you might hear things you don’t particularly like. I can hold your hand a little, but the hard work is down to you and your personal drive and ambition.

Real Experience You Can Trust

I see a lot of services offered by people who don’t mention whatever ‘business’ they’ve supposedly run, or who have come from a corporate background and just do not understand how this industry and world works. One thing I can guarantee is that you know exactly what I’ve been up to the past two decades, that I've most likely been where you are now, and that I will do my absolute best to pass on the nuggets of help that you need to grow and build in your own way.

Pricing

  • Quick Fix (1.5 hour call)

    £325 including one week's ongoing support after the call

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  • 3 Months (6 calls)

    £1350 including ongoing support between calls and for 2 weeks after the final call

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  • 6 Months (12 calls) *Most Popular*

    £2400 including ongoing support between calls and for 2 weeks after the final call

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  • 12 Months (24 calls)

    £4200 including ongoing support between calls and for 2 weeks after the final call

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All prices are inclusive of VAT. See full terms and conditions here. You will be asked to sign a contract before we start working together. If these prices are out of your budget just now, I always recommend seeing what your local Growth Hub or LEP has to offer for small businesses. They're often a great starting point for small business support.

Whether you're a craftsperson, a designer, an artist or maker, I have the background and knowledge to help you figure out what's holding your business back, and how to build it in a way that works for you! I can't wait to hear your story and get started on crafting your perfect business!