5 March 2021|Latest Posts, Meet the Successful Founder
Kate Tompsett owns an online and bricks and mortar shop in Cranbrook, Kent. Growing up on her family farm, she was the first in her family to attend university and to choose a path other than agriculture. After working two jobs to save up a 10% deposit on a home, she was turned down for a mortgage, so she used the money to set up Happy & Glorious in 2012. The brand sells British made gifts, art and homeware, from independent designer-makers, including Kate’s work!
What would you love to share to encourage other women to start their own business
Women are still an untapped resource when it comes to business. We have so many skills, so much to give, and I believe that we can completely restructure the way that business works. How’s that for a superpower? We are so used to looking to the future and imagining our lives when we finally get the time to realise our dreams. The fact is that you can start now. Today.
What are your top 5 tips for entrepreneurial success?
Find a planning system that works for you, and stick to it.
Use a coach. Friends and family are great as sounding boards, but their opinion will often be coloured by their own worries or insecurities. You need someone who will listen with encouragement and without judgement; help you to work out what you want and how to get there.
Don’t be afraid to fluff up. We often want to give up when mistakes happen, but everyone is an opportunity to learn.
Be flexible with your plans. It’s important to have a business plan, but if you stick too rigidly to it, there could be other opportunities that you are missing.
Never stop learning! Including part-time work when I was in my teens, I have over 25 years of independent retail experience and I still don’t feel like I know everything. Take every chance to learn something new.
Who are the 5 women who inspire you the most?
Mary Portas – retail genius and all-round goddess, who couples her brilliant creative brain with a dry sense of humour and so much kindness.
Caitlin Moran – her book How to be a Woman opened up my eyes to the toxic nature of the patriarchy, making me laugh so hard, and also making me want to shout my strident feminism from the rooftops!
Maya Angelou – brilliant, powerful author and poet that endured enormous hardship but rose up to challenge racism, misogyny and oppression wherever she found them.
Jameela Jamil – amazing actor and podcaster, using her story of overcoming depression and eating disorders to lift up other people, whilst highlighting the importance of avoiding bullshit in the media!
Holly Tucker – founder of Not on the High Street, now using her knowledge to support other business owners and help them on their journey, with her irrepressible optimism and warmth.
What is your favourite saying/inspirational quote?
My favourite quote is from one of my childhood favourites – Anne of Green Gables: ‘Isn’t it nice that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?’ I loved the quote as a child and still do. Every day is a clean slate, a fresh opportunity to learn, grow, and to do something amazing!
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