How Laura became the Owner of Handmade Design can only be described as fate. Six years ago, Laura decided to walk away from her Sales & Marketing career to re-evaluate what she wanted to do with her life. Shortly before this, her grandad passed away and that really changed her outlook on life.
After leaving her Recruitment role, she began drawing and crafting – for her mental health more than anything else.
One random Sunday, Laura visited Ashbourne with her family and stumbled across Handmade Design for the very first time. It was a big leap but a few weeks later she began selling her work in the shop as well as working there one day a week.
The opportunity to takeover Handmade Design came up six months later. At 25 years old, she had absolutely no idea how to run a business! She knew she had the skills she’d learnt during her corporate days and lots of enthusiasm. Her family and friends tried to talk her out of making such a big mistake but she knew it was the fresh start she’d be searching for.
Fast forward six years and the shop has continued to grow and Laura is still loving every minute of it. She is grateful that her days are spent chatting to lovely customers, surrounded by beautiful creations made by other small businesses.
And the most emotional part of her story is that Laura’s grandad was from Ashbourne, he always talked about the town and what it was like growing up there. Ashbourne has such a special place in her heart.
