Female Founders: Small Business - part 2

To round up 2020, we're highlighting small businesses that are founded by women & giving an insight into what's it's like starting & running a business throughout a global pandemic.

This week, we spoke to Lauren who started creating low calorie treats to aid her weight loss journey & inspire others. We also heard fro the founder of Joyaux Jewellery design, Lizzi, who turned her love for jewellery making into a business when the pandemic hit.

Name: Lauren Curley

From: North Yorkshire

Business name: Count With Curley Bakery

Instagram: @CountWithCurleyBakery

What does your business create/provide?

Low calorie treat boxes, including brownies, blondies, Krispies, carrot cake amongst others and I have recently released a new doughnut range.

What does a typical week look like for you with the bakery?

I work full time in the raw materials department at a paper mill and bake one day every other week. Evenings are typically spent getting prepared for the next bake day!

What inspired you to start the business in lockdown?

After losing over 5 and a half stone through calorie counting, I started baking whilst furloughed like many others did. However, when I couldn't fit the finished goods into my daily calories, it was really frustrating. So I started making low calorie versions!

Name: Lizzi

City Of Residence: Canterbury

Business Name: Joyaux Jewellery Design

Website: joyauxdesign.com

Instagram: @joyauxdesign

What does your business create/provide?

My business is a luxury, handcrafted jewellery boutique. I specialise in producing elegant, refined jewellery designs that add an element of luxury to everyday life at accessible prices!

What does a typical week look like for you with Joyaux?

I spend almost all of my time switching between designing/making my pieces, product photography, writing listings & website management, social media marketing, packaging orders and keeping up with my accounts/admin! I admit that it can get a little overwhelming sometimes! But it’s also very exciting.

What inspired you to start the business in lockdown?

I came back from a research job abroad at the end of last summer and had trouble finding a new position in London before the pandemic got into full swing. When Covid hit and lockdown was enforced, I had to move out of my place in London. I’d been making pieces of jewellery for myself and friends and was encouraged to try selling it! So I figured why not now? I didn’t have a job and could direct all my energy into this new venture. Its been a very steep learning curve (and still is!) as running a business is completely uncharted territory for me, but people seem to really enjoy my designs...which is all I really wanted when I started this...to make good quality, gorgeous pieces of jewellery that make people feel special when they wear them!

Anything else you'd like to add? The name of my business means ‘Jewels’ in French and is pronounced ‘joy-oh’ (Ive had a lot of people ask). I was working in French Polynesia prior to starting my business and lived with a number of French colleagues who ended up helping me choose a elegant, relevant name for my brand!