Entrepreneur Amanda's web business has got it wrapped
Former cabin crew worker Amanda is launching Giftwrappedandgorgeous.com – a website selling handmade arts and crafts from independent producers around the region.
She first got into business when her daughter started school; Amanda said she was determined to keep busy and start her own company.
An added bonus is that her enterprise allows her to support other "mum-trepreneurs" in the East Midlands by promoting and selling their products.
Amanda, 47, who lives near Ashby, was born in Scotland and grew up in the Highlands before coming to England to begin her career with airlines.
She started in 1988, working for British Airways and based at Heathrow Airport.
Her next job was back up in Aberdeen with Business Air.
She was transferred to East Midlands Airport when the company became part of British Midlands, now BMI.
In 2000, she met her husband, Glen Rowley, son of footballer Arthur Rowley, who played with Leicester City in the 1950s and still holds the league goal-scoring record.
Amanda said: "Glen was an airline pilot and we were introduced by friends. It was a bit of a whirlwind romance and we tied the knot in 2001.
"We were married on a beach in Mauritius, where I had flown a number of times."
Their daughter, Lucy, was born in 2003.
Amanda said: "I wanted to do something when Lucy went back to school because I've never been one to just sit around.
"The first thing I did was set up a charity called Mothersvoice.org, which helps women with post-natal depression.
"Then I set up a wedding business called Foxtail Lily Designs in 2007, hiring out wedding decorations."
Amanda's first stab at commerce managed to establish itself with its customers – but proved a bit of a disaster for Amanda.
She said: "It was very, very hard work – especially dealing with brides and weddings.
"My business partner walked out because she didn't realise how difficult it was going to be.
"I couldn't keep going on my own because of my family commitments.
"We shut our shop in Ashby in January of this year. But a friend of mine has taken over the name and so the business is still going."
Despite the setback, Amanda was a long way beyond square one.
She said: "I'd caught the business bug and I knew I could make it if I learned from my mistakes.
"I put all my efforts into going on courses and attending seminars and asking questions.
"I approached everyone I thought could help me."
Amanda went to workshops and Business Link events, where she learned everything she needed to know about starting her business.
She got involved in networking events in the region and is now a shrewd businesswoman, always making sure she gets the best deals and maximum exposure.
She recently won a BT competition for a mentoring session with Dragon's Den star Peter Jones, which took place last week.
She said it gave her plenty of new ideas and also the boost of knowing the mobile phone tycoon was very positive about her business plan.
She has also enlisted the help of an East Midlands Development Agency mentor, Tina Combellack, who helped her identify her strengths – promotion and marketing.
Now, Amanda has joined forces with other entrepreneurs around the region who make products that she can sell via her website.
She said: "There are so many talented people in the region who design and make their own products like ornaments, jewellery, art and clothes.
"I thought I could promote them by setting up my own online boutique.
"I took advantage of a free trial with a company called Press Loft and I got the products into national wedding magazines, which was brilliant."
With a £2,000 grant from Creative Leicestershire, she set up the website, which is expected to go live very soon, featuring products by 25 designers to begin with.
It will have its own newsletter for subscribers and a Twitter feed to make the most out of the inexpensive marketing tools out there.
Amanda has also found a business partner, Alison Griffiths, who has the computer knowledge Amanda lacks.
"Giftwrappedandgorgeous.com has the potential to be massive," Amanda said.
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