Vien le Wood

Name:

Vien le Wood

Business:

vien ici

Web site:

Years in business:

Number of businesses:

2

I went from being very bored and disheartened when I was out of work, to being extremely busy and motivated when I set my business up. My lifestyle has been enriched as I’m able to do what I love.

Not many people can say that about their job so I feel extremely fortunate to have this opportunity. An entrepreneur to me is someone who has determination, passion, and self belief in what they do.

Prior to setting up my business, I had worked on the ‘Fashion at Belsay’ commission by English Heritage and the Arts Council to produce ‘Tallulah Running Water Dress’. The fellowship was an opportunity to exhibit my work alongside high profile designers such as Zandra Rhodes, Alexander McQueen and Paul Smith.

Following such an amazing opportunity, I stayed in the North East but struggled to commercialise my art work and find creative jobs. Altogether I was out of work for a year which really knocked my confidence.

My defining moment was when I was so frustrated at being unemployed that I realised if I was going to stay true to what I believed in, I would have to set up my own creative business.

I did a six week diploma in traditional upholstery as I saw interiors as the direction I would like to take my artwork commercially and the wallpaper could be the blank canvas for my art.

I decided to apply for the Arts Council Cultural Business Venture to set up my own hand printed wallpaper and textile business, ‘vien ici’.

I sought advice from Business Link regarding the venture and I’ve recently received the grant to buy print equipment to make and produce my own wallpaper and textiles. I would really advise people to seek advice from Business Link regarding funding, as well as doing your market research.

Over the past few years, interest in unusual and beautifully designed wallpaper has reached a high. People are becoming increasingly design conscious and now desire an ever more exclusive service.

I wanted ‘vien ici’ to offer a hands on exclusive service to fit the customer’s specification exactly. The standard service is a custom colour match, with a gloss, pearl or metallic taste. I wanted my customers to be able to commission design patterns which are adapted to meet their changing personal tastes, trends and architecture of their interiors.

Through sheer determination, I researched and wrote the ‘vien ici’ business plan myself, and my father gave me a lot of support as I’m dyslexic and lack confidence in writing.

I also had advice from Project North East, and then sought help with upholstery and print training from Job Linkage, BTCV and Northern Cultural Skills Partnership.

I count my biggest business success as getting the Arts Council Cultural Business Venture for £6000 funding to set up a print room. When assessing my application, two of the Arts Council directors were interested in my wallpaper samples which was a great response to receive.

It’s early days for my business as I received the Arts Council grant 4 weeks ago. The feedback has been extremely positive and I’ve made contacts with high end interior design shops who are willing to buy my sample book.

Prior to the Art Councils funding, I hand crafted made to order dancing dresses and costumes. I saw there was a market in dancing and decided to approach a club with a proposal to run ‘Polesque’ Pole Dancing lessons and parties.

This venture would support ‘vien ici’ financially as there are minimal set up costs and hours involved in teaching. It’s also a fun and active way of keeping fit and toned. I’ve already had bookings for two hen parties without evem marketing my service and I’m teaching pole dancing to eight people.

My aspirations at the moment are to create beautifully ornate and timeless wallpaper for ‘vien ici’. I’m moving to a bigger flat so I have the space to develop my art work. Once I get the designs completed I’ll market them via a website and start renting a studio to set up my print equipment to start printing orders.

I would like to develop the business into related products such as upholstery fabrics, curtains, cushions and lighting to form a comprehensive range. I’d also like to use my upholstery skills to upholster furniture with my own fabric.

As ‘vien ici’ develops I intend to provide screen print training to support the business financially. I’ve been offered ‘pilot’ textile print workshops at Northern Print in Ouseburn to assess customer interest.

I plan to minimise mistakes by starting my business small and letting it grow. Initially I will design from home and then start renting studio space when I receive orders to keep my outgoings minimal in the early days. I’ll probably make lots of mistakes along the way, but it will all be a steep and valuable learning curve.

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