Lynne Young
Help your business ideaget 'a-head'...
Hats-the-way-to-do-it!
Redcar mum Lynne Young scored a fashion hit with her hat-making business which started with help from Redcar and Cleveland’s Enterprise team.
Lynne’s unique creations graced the catwalk at a top London fashion show thanks to Middlesbrough fashion designer and celebrity favourite Kate Fearnley choosing Lynne’s hats and fascinators to accompany her stylish outfits.
Former florist Lynne, 39, set up her ‘chic-hats’ business after getting in touch with the Enterprise team. They quickly saw her talent and enthusiasm and gave her the help and guidance needed to set up on her own from home.
Her dining room is now the hub of the business and where Lynne can usually be found working on her latest designs.
“I sometimes think there’s not enough hours in the day” said Lynne. “But this is something I’ve wanted to do for such a long time and have studied hard for so to actually achieve it and be successful is like a dream come true.
“When I contacted the Enterprise Team I wasn’t sure what they’d make of the idea and my plans to work from home in my spare time but they were extremely helpful and gave me lots of great advice and guidance.
“I completed an intensive millinery course with milliner to the late Queen Mother, Rose Cory and then studied millinery at Leeds College of Art. During all that time the Enterprise team kept in touch, supporting me and encouraging me to keep going with my plans. I’m so glad I did.”
Such is the demand for her eye-catching creations that husband Lee and 15-year-old daughter Kennedy often help out. Lynne sees this as another bonus for being your own boss.
“It helps of course that I have a real passion for hat-making” she said. “But I do feel like I have a far better life work balance and the fact that I can work at home with my family around me a lot of the time is a real benefit.
“If someone told me they were considering setting up their own business I’d tell them to ‘bite the bullet’ and do it – go and see Redcar and Cleveland’s Enterprise team and you won’t regret it.”