Ffatri Fenter: The Story So Far
Menter a Busnes - Business Development Wales
The Make it Pretty Story
Cath Graham:
Make it Pretty
Cath Graham was a trained Accounts Clerk with Pembrokeshire County Council with a desire to carry out her creative interest. After hearing about the Ffatri Fenter in a conference at the Pembrokeshire College, she realised that she could test-drive her ideas, on a risk-free basis.
Whilst juggling her full-time job as a single mum of four young children and other duties, she successfully developed her business idea and within few months, Make it Pretty was born.
Initially Make it Pretty designed and produced exclusive hand-made wedding stationary. It has now developed to cover other aspects of wedding planning such as venue decorating, chair-cover hire, table decorating and general wedding co ordination.
Before starting the enterprise, she felt very apprehensive and had financial worries…“My concern was the lack of all-round business knowledge I had. I didn’t want to upset my accountant! But the support that was provided by the Ffatri Fenter was very knowledgeable and useful.”
She received help to write a business plan, a marketing grant for business cards and an interest-free loan to set up a web-site.
“This was an excellent start and a great way to get to know how to move on to the next step, after the test-drive period. Through the Ffatri Fenter, I then received further funding from the Council that went towards more marketing materials.”
Make it Pretty is now expanding into the European market with the help of Wales Trade International, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. “I’m very excited with the way things are going. I feel quite confident, although I’m still learning everyday.”
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Cath Graham
Make it Pretty
Pembrokeshire
01834 812479 / 07837601511
www.makeitpretty.co.uk
cath@makeitpretty.co.uk
English