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Grand Designs  - Pimp Your Home

8/14/2018

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In her latest column on small businesses, Waltham Forest Business Network’s Jo Sealy finds a designer with a lot to offer
Award-winning designer Celia James launched her own small business earlier this year
A distinguished career in the world of interior design has been turned into a flourishing personal design projects business.
When award-winning interior designer Celia James took stock of her 30 years’ design and build experience last year, the former director of the British Institute of Interior Design saw an opportunity to set up a brand new business: Pimp Your Home, offering small group workshop sessions from her studio in Leytonstone.
“So much has changed over the years in the industry,” says Celia. “The rise of the do-it-yourself interior designer, the desire to express individuality in our homes and cuts in adult education, have reduced many part-time courses in interior design, offering an opportunity.
“I decided that I wanted to use my experience and teaching skills to bring the basics of interior design to people who wished to create their own beautiful and functional spaces, so in January this year I took the leap and started the business.”
Celia runs the twice-monthly Saturday workshop sessions from a fully-equipped studio. It’s a place for students to focus their ideas, select colour schemes, experiment with room layouts, and choose from samples of fabrics and flooring materials with Celia on hand to share her knowledge and experience.
“Students learn to express their ideas professionally and in so doing reduce the risk of making big mistakes and wasting money,” says Celia.
“It was a great personal achievement to get my first bookings when I started in January. The number of students has grown steadily since then but it’s still a challenge to spread the word about Pimp Your Home. Like many creative people I find it hard to promote myself!”
As Celia’s business begins to take off she acknowledges that hard work, persistence, talent, and luck play their part, but it all can only work if you do something you enjoy.
“If you are passionate about what you do you most likely will be successful. One of the most satisfying things about running the business is seeing the students in the studio enjoying themselves, learning from me and each other, and I realise how much knowledge I have to share on so many levels. It makes sense of my working life.” 

For more information about Pimp Your Home:
​Visit pimpyourhome.london

Do you know a great small business in Waltham Forest with a story to tell?
Email [email protected]
Visit walthamforestbusiness.co.uk
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    Waltham Forest Business Network writing about great Waltham Forest Businesses in https://walthamforestecho.co.uk/

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  • Welcome!
    • What Our Members Say
  • About
  • What We Do
    • Women In Business >
      • Great Little Places to meet in E17
    • Business Directory
    • Creative Exchange >
      • Expression of Interest
    • Small Business 100
    • WF Small Business Competition >
      • 2014 Food Business Category Winner - Star of India Restaurant
      • 2014 Social Enterprise Category Winner - Significant Seams
      • Winner - 2013 Business Competition
      • 2014 Start Up Business Category Winner - Bestowed Kitchen
      • Winner - 2012 Small Business Competition
      • 2014 Retail Business Category Winner - It Does The Job
      • 2014 Creative Business Category Winner - Build
      • 2014 Professional Service Category Winner - Leyton Sports Massage
    • Networking, Events, Workshops >
      • Christmas Networking 2017
      • Christmas Networking 2015 >
        • Past Events >
          • 2014 Christmas Event
      • 'Network & Grow' summer 2014
      • 2012 Christmas Networking Event
      • 2012 Tea at the Town Hall
      • Workshops 2011
      • 2011 Summer Networking, House of Commons
      • Christmas Dinner at Eat17
      • Celebrating International Women's Day
      • 2011 E17 Art Trail
      • NEL Expo 2011
      • December 2010 Waterstones Christmas Networking
      • July 2010 Pimms O'Clock Summer Networking
      • April 2010 - Spring Speed Networking
      • February 2010 - Secrets to Success with NLCC
      • January 2010 - Facebook & Twitter -What's The Fuss?
      • Christmas 2009 - Christmas Networking at Waterstones
      • Summer 2009 - Networking, Health & Beauty
  • WFBN Blog
  • Waltham Forest Echo - Business Articles
  • Enterprise Nation
  • Privacy Policy
  • Enterprise Programme Support
    • Growth Vouchers - Cavendish Consortium
    • Fit For Legacy - East London Business Place
    • Waltham Forest Council - Small Business Saturday