A textile designer has thanked Suffolk-based business support organisation MENTA for helping her launch her business.
Anna MacGladrie set up her business called Anna Mac at the end of last year and creates her striking patterns for bags, purses and soft furnishings from her home workshop in Westleton.
Anna, who left her job with the NHS in York before moving to Suffolk and back with parents last year, attended a number of sessions run by MENTA where she learnt some business fundamentals and got inspired by other burgeoning entrepreneurs.
“I decided to concentrate on what I love and am good at and decided to start up my own business,” she said.
“I’m so pleased I found MENTA they’ve been so helpful. Their Start Right workshops and trainers have been fantastic and I know I can dip in and attend their masterclasses, seminars and networking events. They also have lots of useful contacts and good local knowledge which really helps.”
Anna, who says she has been inspired to “put everything into making her business work,” sells her products online via the business website - www.annamac.com - and displays them on Instagram, which she says is “very popular and brings me plenty of work”.
She also supplies Woodbridge homeware boutique, Vanil, and is planning to take her work to a pop up shop at The Old Jet Bentwaters this April.
Anna, who studied jewellery and silver-smithery at university, added: “I know there is growth potential among independent homeware stockists and interior designers looking for unique items, and stylists and homeowners who are tired of mass produced and want to buy British or even Suffolk.”
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