Page 5 - Start Up Special: The Star January 2019

Wednesday,January23,2019 www.thestar.co.uk NINS 15
START-UP SPECIAL
In association with
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Initial success for scarf firm
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Charlotte’s clothing company shapes up
Freelance marketer Han- nah McCreesh and fitness trainer Chaz Don have launched a cashmere mon- ogrammed scarf company.
The couple had already quit their jobs to go self employed but that wasn’t enough - they also wanted to create a luxury brand to- gether. Amouri is the result.
Hannah said: “Cashmere scarves are timeless and el- egant and having your ini- tials on just adds that little personal touch.”
The pair say they re- searched the best cashmere scarf suppliers, embroider- ers, packaging and brand- ing and so far their products have been a hit with a “select few influencers” to drive a buzz before Amouri launch- es this week.
Hannah added: “We have had loads of people mes- saging us about wanting to order so we anticipate the launch to go really well.
“There's no better feeling than a lovely message from someone once they've re- ceived their scarf and fallen in love with it.”
Hannah also runs a festi- val fashion business called Festival Queens.
“It’s been amazing to start a business with Chaz because, with my other business, it's just me and I've had to do and be everything which was really tricky, es- pecially when I was working full-time.
“Now we can split the workload between us, which is amazing.”
www.amouri.co
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After three years blogging about health and fitness, self- ie-queen Charlotte Burdall has lost weight and amassed more than 35,000 followers on Instagram.
In November, she launched clothing company ‘Squats Not Sweeties Active’ and, despite fierce competi-
tion, was delighted by Christ- mas sales.
Charlotte, of High Storrs, Sheffield, has also show- cased her collection at events at fitness companies. And the feedback has been very posi- tive, she says.
She added:“Whether you’re nipping to the shops,
pushing for the last rep in the gym or you are having a chilled evening at home, I want women be able to wear my activewear and give their skin the love it needs.”
The fabrics are breatha- ble, elastic and supportive so women can sweat and move, she added.
“I have conducted re- search on the best activewear and sourced the finest fab- rics to complement your as- sets and enhance every inch of your skin.”
www.squatsnotsweet- ies.com and Instagram: @ squatsnotsweetiesactive
Don and Hannah model their monogrammed cashmere scarves.
Cutting through jargon
Why Matt’s got the bug
Rachel King is clear: becom- ing a freelance marketer is the best career decision she’s made.
She’d been thinking about it for 10 years, but it was going back to work after her third child that prompt- ed her to act.
And she hasn’t looked back. Rachel said: “ I’m so happy and enjoying every day at work. The opportu- nities are endless, and I find that if I’m honest, reliable and do a good job, clients keep coming back and rec- ommend me to others.”
She supports firms who
Rachel King.
need a “reliable, experi- enced, extra pair of hands” to help with planning, social media, digital marketing, copywriting, editing, train- ing and mentoring.
Rachel added: “My main
“My main selling point is my honest and straightforward approach – cutting through the jargon and being clear about what needs to be done, then showing tangible re- sults.
“The hardest thing is finding a work-life balance. I’ll never miss a deadline and I have multiple clients to keep happy, so it’s hard to switch off. I have to hide my laptop and phone at week- ends and make sure I’m dedi- cating time to myself.
“We only get one life – we should follow our hearts and do what makes us happy.”
Matt Haslam has been busy as a bee after launching a business making and sell- ing insect killers.
No-Fli manufactures ‘blue-light’ products with a sticky board which stops bugs in their tracks - unlike the old ones which kill them with a bang, sending bacte- ria up to 20ft away.
After launching in May, Matt has sold more than 1,000 nationwide and can boast a roster of custom- ers that includes Sheffield Wednesday FC and Braga- zzis cafe - both had their lo- go lasercut into the casing
Matt’s No-Fli product.
- Dunkin Donuts and Costa. He installs the product free, only charges for the glue board at about 11p a day and offers a lifetime warran-
ty and 24/7 support.
Matt said: “I had worked
with insect killers for an- other company which they imported.
“On seeing the poor qual- ity on the market I decided to design a really effective and stylish product that is easy to service. This means you cut out the middle man includ- ing the pest control compa- ny, saving the user money.
“The difficulty is trying to talk to people about fly- killers! So I carry a box and cold call which I still find is the best way.’’
Headquarters are at 34 Pond Road, Stannington.
https://www.no-fli.com