A trip to the USA inspired Chloe Powis to embark on a career change. She decided to use her skills in interior design to launch Forever French last year. She tells Startups.co.uk how she’s getting on.

Name: Chloe Powis
Age:24
Business: Forever French Ltd
Type of business: Furniture re-design
Start date:August 2004

When did you first decide you wanting start your own business?
I was never really happy in a job unless I was being creative. After studying art and design at college I fell into an office admin role, but gained good people and computer skills.

Re-designing furniture was a hobby really until I realised I could earn a living from it and it developed from there.

Tell us about your business

Forever French Ltd is a small on-line business based in Northamptonshire.

I turn unwanted, old, neglected and clever finds into cottage style French pieces. They then go for sale on the website whereby people can view and purchase. We have monthly promotions, news letters and a mailing list to join so customers can really be involved.

Was it your first business idea and where did it come from?
To begin with it was never a business idea until I received so many compliments from family members and friends about the things I made for my own home. I then knew I was onto a good thing and designing is my passion.

Was your decision to start a business inspired by any other companies or individuals?
I have always looked at other famous interior designers like Linda Barker, who could make something beautiful out of something old. So really she is my inspiration to succeed.

What makes you think there’s a market for your business?
I already know that there is because I have received such an over whelming response to what I do and I have only managed to advertise it to a limited amount of people. I am confident that when the word spreads even more that it will be thriving.

Once you’d decided to start a business, what did you do first?
I knew the most important thing was product and that once we were a registered company and all of the legal parts were in place that I would need a good product to sell. I started by collecting and designing so that when the website went live I had items to sell.

What research did you do?
I researched into everything. I didn’t want to be treading on any ones toes with the Name of the company and I wanted everything just right. I researched how to start a business and the legal procedures that had to take place.

I also spoke to other people with creative businesses and shared tips, ideas and advice.

What advice did you seek?
Yes I spoke to the relevant legal companies and it was a very straight forward and helpful procedure.

What other help did you get?
I have family members who are self employed and they advised me on registering as a Limited Company and I often call them to get advice.

Does the government need to provide more help to people trying to start a business?
They were very encouraging to me but I suppose before I didn’t realise it would be so straightforward to own a business. Obviously what type of business you own depends on the individual as to keeping it afloat but I found the initial start up procedure quite efficient.

Talk us through the process of writing your business plan.
I am very fortunate in that I have great people around me for support. My plan is really to expand and grow and if I don’t do this then I am not reaching my goal.

How useful has your business plan been and do you think you’ll stick to it as your business begins to grow?
Yes I hope so, I know that if I am not busy or not selling items then I am not working hard enough. I will push myself to success.

How much did it cost to start the business?
Just registering was around £89, but it costs me everyday because I feel the more I put in the more I will get out.

How did you fund this?
From my own funds and I receive help from my partner who puts in regularly. Most if not all of the profit goes back into the business, I have accepted this as a new business hurdle that I will get over. “Rome was not built in a day.”

Have you made any provisions for business not being as prosperous as expected?
I have been quite confident that it will be a success as this is what drives me forward but if it doesn’t then I will research more into how I can make it work. I don’t give up.