A Newport graphics designer turns her hobby into a part-time business, thanks to Business Wales support.
Following redundancy due to Covid-19, Lea White from Newport decided to turn her hobby into a business and start Said with Notes, offering designs and stationery for a range of special occasions. Lea got in touch with the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service for help and has since worked with a business adviser on setting up her venture, ready for launch in September 2020.
- start-up support
- successfully launched during the Covid-19 pandemic
- commitment to the Green Growth Pledge
Introduction to business
An experienced graphics designer, Lea White decided to invest her passion for design and start her own business. Said with Notes offers bespoke wedding stationery from ‘save the date’ cards to seating plans and order of services, as well as stationery for a range of events and special occasions, including birthdays, hen parties, baby showers and Christmas, amongst others.
Why did you decide to set up your own business?
I always had an interest in stationery, especially wedding invitations. Shortly after my own wedding in 2018, I started to design for friends and family – and this eventually led to Said with Notes. I started it alongside my full-time job as a Creative Designer.
What challenges did you face?
My biggest challenge has been Covid-19. Due to the limited wedding guests, many couples have had to delay, put on hold or even cancel their weddings, which has affected the business. However, without the pandemic, I wouldn't have been made redundant from my creative design position and I wouldn’t have had the time to focus on Said with Notes. I was finally able to create a website and launch properly with Business Wales supporting me along the way.
Business Wales support
Lea contacted Business Wales for help with starting her wedding stationery business. She attended a start-up webinar and then received one-to-one support from business adviser Melanie Phipps.
Mel supported Lea with wide-ranging issues, including business planning, market research, marketing, homeworking, pricing, insurance, tax, NI and cash flow forecasting. This allowed Lea to turn her hobby into a part-time business and launch Said with Notes successfully in September 2020.
Lea also signed up to the Business Wales sustainability initiative, the Green Growth Pledge, and has committed to use an ethical supply chain, reduce waste, use resources efficiently and provide recyclable packaging, wherever possible.
Outcomes
- start-up support
- successfully launched during the Covid-19 pandemic
- commitment to the Green Growth Pledge
I first contacted Business Wales for some support and advice. From the beginning of the journey, it was a pleasant one: from initial contact through to the launch of Said with Notes, the support has been amazing. I had the opportunity to join live virtual webinars and then work with my business adviser Mel, who has been so supportive and informative throughout the whole experience.
Future plans and ambitions
I have a slow and steady plan for Said with Notes where I will continue to work on wedding stationery and slowly open my designs to other occasions such as birthdays, baby showers, engagements, etc. Eventually, I want to become a one-stop shop for stationery supplies for all occasions.
If you want to read more success stories of how Business Wales has helped other people like you to start or grow their businesses, visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/case-studies or follow @_businesswales / @_busnescymru on Twitter.