I always love sharing a new post on my Working Women Series! Having just launched my own business, these women always inspire me with their stories; their honest truth about the hard work it takes to run your own business and the story behind the beginning of their business. Today I am so excited to introduce you to Chiara from Lamplighter London. I met Chiara at a Quill London Modern Calligraphy class I attended before Christmas and was completely in love with her beautiful ease of her scripty art of calligraphy {yep, I have a bit of thing for some curly pretty calligraphy!}. After looking around at her business it was certain to me that Chiara had taken a love of hers and found a way to make it her business, its pretty fab. Enjoy the Working Women spotlight today on Chiara with Lamplighter London.
When did you start your business?
I started Lamplighter London in 2012, but I went full time in 2013. Prior to that I was working as a freelance designer and illustrator, loosely creating Lamplighter without even realising it!
What advice do you have for younger women looking to start their own business?
I'm constantly inspired by all the amazing young women starting businesses, making, creating, writing and selling. Simply doing something, anything, in the right direction will get the ball rolling, even if it's alongside another job in the beginning. Your first sale or commission will make your heart soar, so find your niche, have a basic idea of where you want to be, think big and go out and make it happen. Be ready to work really hard if you want to make it your day job.
Love your brand, and know your market inside out too, this helps with development and direction. Be prepared to probably make some mistakes along the way... I have, and felt like chucking it all in, and shed a few tears, but I've learnt so much and it really has all been worth it. A solo small business really can consume you, especially in the beginning, so try and break away to recharge every now and then. I find a work life balance hard, but I think that's what you have to be prepared for if you want to make it on your own. Sometimes a few days away from the computer can give you much needed perspective, I always end up being excited to get stuck in again.
How would you describe the ideal Lamplighter London client?
I work with such a wide variety of people, from private clients throwing a special party, event planners working on a destination wedding, large corporate clients, one off events and even a few VIPs thrown in. It's hard to say who the ideal client is - but my favourites are those wanting something really special - I love creating bespoke pieces for my clients, and it's so much fun when I'm trusted to create something totally unique for their event.
Do you have a trademark style?
Some people say I do - often a combination of hand lettering and elements of nature in my personal pieces. You can usually spot a crescent moon or some stars in my designs - the skies are my inspiration. My calligraphy has definitely honed a strong personal style of late, which has been a long time in practise. With design I love to try new techniques and colours, I've experimented with marbling, lettering and sunprints in 2014, and have a really exciting range of new products which will be available early this year.
What is your favourite part about running your own business? What is your LEAST favourite part?
I love being able to plan how my day, week, month & year will unfold, I always feel inspired after a big planning session. Of course there's the total creative freedom, the beauty of making a living from my art, for which I feel lucky every single day. But the excitement and possibilities of the future really drive me, I love big ideas! My parents are both entrepreneurs, it's all I've ever known, so it must be in my blood. Predictably for a creative, my least favourite part is the numbers... I have to call my Dad sometimes to check I've done my calculations right. At school I spent many a maths lesson decorating the cover of my exercise books (and then all of my friend's), I definitely should have listened more!
Best moment of your career so far?
Being requested by Nike for a huge project last summer was an incredible highlight, a whirlwind of intense studio days and nights making hundreds of signs and thousands of calligraphy tags, but so rewarding. I've got some major news I can't divulge just yet, but it may just be my new best career moment to date - stay tuned!
From wedding clients to event planners, to Nike, Nestle, Cath Kidston, Brides Magazine to even Royalty {hello Princess Marie Chantal!}, Chiara is creating an amazing brand and name for herself! Thank you so much for sharing with us Chiara!!! xoxo
You can find Lamplighter London here: Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Website
xoxo - Rebecca
*All Photo credits to : Jonathan Cole Photography, Kate Nielen Photography, Theresa Furey Photography, Ann Kathrin Koch Photography Naomi Kenton
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