We're so happy to be featuring this inspirational interview with Anna Carter
who owns Cardiff Invitations that creates handcrafted bespoke wedding and event
stationery. Anna is a busy mother of two who balances her family life with her
successful business.
Please
tell us what is a typical business day for you?
There isn't really a typical business day for me -
when you are running a business around being a mum of two small children then I
have learnt to be flexible. The only constant thing seems to be lots of late
nights!
What
made you start the business and how did you get started?
I made my own wedding stationery and loved making cards but it was
always just a hobby alongside my demanding career as a tax accountant. I used
to make wedding stationery for friends and family and loved it. When I had my
daughter, we didn't think me returning to my old job would work for our family
so so I used the opportunity to set up my dream business.
What
would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in the business world to
date?
My greatest accomplishment was when I won best wedding stationery in the
East Wales region in the Welsh Wedding Awards 2011. I had put so much work into
the business and working on your own business it can be difficult sometimes to
know if you are going in the right directions. So to win an award was really
the recognition I needed to push the business forward and it has gone from
strength to strength.
What
has been your biggest challenge in business so far?
My biggest challenge is the ongoing task of balancing
work and family without the ability to create more hours in the day.
What are your future plans for the business?
The business has been growing steadily and I am always
coming up with new ideas to make us stand out from the crowd.
If you had to do it all
over again, what would you do differently?
I would probably have more confidence in myself and
not be afraid to take a chance.
Why is it so important to inspire young women in particular to follow their dreams?
Young people and especially young women are the
future. By following your dreams, you have the chance to reach your full
potential instead of going doing the path you feel you should follow and that
doesn't always lead to happiness.
What advice would you give to
somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?
1.
Put in the research in the beginning, not only into the
products/services you wish to offer but also the business side of things. There
is no point offering a product that people really want if it doesn't make you
any money and be realistic in your pricing. I see a lot of new
businesses who offer really low prices as they start up but aren't actually
making any money so they take lots of bookings and end up letting people
down.
2.
Focus on customer service and don't let standards slip when things get
busy. Especially in the wedding industry, it is a big deal for every customer
as it is their big day.
3.
Don't try to expand/grow too quickly. I have seen lots of businesses
start well but then try to take on too much and then end up not delivering the
great product/service that people want in the first place.
What or who inspires you in
business and why?
Laura Tension, founder of Jo Jo Mamam Bebe, has
always inspired me as a woman who has really worked hard and achieved.
What is your favourite
inspirational quote?
Not sure whether it would be classed as an
inspirational quote but my dad said the following to me when I started the
business and I think it is something really important to remember, 'You meet
the same people on the way up and you do the way down so treat everyone how you
would like to be treated.'
Contact details:
Anna Carter
@cardiffinvites
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