Inspiring Parent: Kate Curry from The Curry Design Studio

Starting a new business can feel a scary thing! But how does it feel to when your business is growing and developing; so you become an Employer? This month’s Inspiring Parent is Kate Curry from The Curry Design Studio. Kate will share how coaching support was the catalyst for the growth of her business.

Over to you Kate!

My name is Kate Curry and my business is The Curry Design Studio. The values I have instilled in my business is that people can grow here – through personal development, through helping each other, through having fun doing a job we love. Prior to setting up the business, I was working part-time as a Senior Designer in an agency – and I loved it.  However, the company went into liquidation, and everything was bought up by another agency – and the atmosphere there changed overnight. I was not paid much for what I did there and felt unhappy and unfulfilled. Eventually, I found the courage to hand in my notice and build a career for myself under my own terms. I found freelance work straight away, I was earning more money and fitting hours around my two young daughters. They loved it – I could spend more time with them and pay for more fun things to do together.

Then the business started to grow – I found I have an aptitude for business and wanted to learn how to develop it. I was accepted onto the Aston Programme for Small Business Growth at Aston Business School, a six-month intense business booster – it was a complete game-changer for me. In the year since the course, I have moved the business into its own studio space and employed a Junior Designer, Shannon, and supporting emerging designers with work-experience.
I am currently looking to take on a marketing apprentice who can help to keep driving the business forward, and also looking to rent the space in the office next door so we have room to expand our team further.

The trigger to make this change was having my children, feeling frustrated with the confines of a rigid job, having to juggle things to make it to sports days and assemblies. Earning a pittance, which was causing issues with hubby who was feeling the pressure financially.

I’ve always been good with ideas and design, and that is the basis of what I do. But I couldn’t make a commercial success of it without the business courses/coaching I’ve been on. The Aston Business (The Aston Programme for Small Business Growth) course was phenomenal. I also had 12 months of coaching, where the coach helped me refine my offering and get a real grip on work/life balance. Overall, I’ve learned from others, and surrounded myself with positive people who WANT to help and encourage.

The biggest challenge for me is, self-doubt, it’s always my enemy. I overcome by educating myself and focusing on my achievements. But it will always be a battle for me! Also, there have been times the business has consumed me and made me stressed and very tired – learning to delegate and manage my time better has really helped with that. However, I have also found that I’m good at, and fascinated by business! How they run, how they grow, and how you can build something out of absolutely nothing but an idea in your head.

For anyone who is looking to make a significant carer change, plan your move in advance and make sure you can be as in control as possible. Work out what you want and need out of life and build your plan with that in mind. Create your own life slogan and live by it! Wish for it, work for it (copied from a notepad for sale in Tescos!)

Kate truly is inspiring, it’s great to see how her vision is supporting others, including the next generation of creatives!

Read more Inspiring Parent’s Stories here.