An ambition to become a self-employed businesswoman has been realised by Aberdeen woman Andrea Stokoe, after securing funding for green skills training from ABZWorks.
Andrea came to ABZWorks last year, after signing up for our Enterprising Creatives project delivered by Aberdeen City Council’s Creative Learning team.
She then secured work in the creative sector, but unfortunately found herself unemployed and back on the job market.
That was the final nudge Andrea needed towards setting up her own business.
With a keen interest in sustainability and the circular economy, Andrea seized the opportunity to apply for our Green Skills Individual Training Fund, created using United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund monies from the UK Government.
Andrea explained in her successful application that she wanted to set up her own business to teach people how to repair and repurpose damaged and discarded clothing and fabrics to avoid them being sent to landfill. And there was no stopping her after that.
From Dream to Reality – Lollie Crafts
She signed up for a course at Alford-based Kate Sews to hone her dressmaking skills and equip her with the skills and knowledge she needs to teach small creative classes in the city., as she works towards launching Lollie Crafts.
“I enjoy sharing my skills and teaching other people to build on their creative talents,” said Andrea.
“This funding has allowed me to build my confidence to teach more dressmaking skills and other creative elements to small classes.”
Business Planning
Andrea is now working on her business plan, supported by Business Gateway and the ABZWorks team as she works towards launching a successful local creative business.
She currently leases a low-cost room in ABSAFEs Bridge of Don premises, where she leads craft classes while she builds up her customer base, ahead of launching sewing classes for adults and children once she has completed her course with Kate Sews.
In addition to her successful funding bid, Andrea has also just secured a new part-time job which will gives her a secure income while she builds her business in evenings and at weekends.
To find out more about Andrea’s craft classes and developing business, email her at lolliecrafts@gmail.com
For more information about the support available from ABZWorks call us on 01224 070200 or email abzworks@aberdeencity.gov.uk
ABZWorks Development Grants create community training opportunities across Aberdeen