MUMPRENEUR BOOSTS BUSINESS WITH SKILLS BOOTCAMP

When Knowsley Mumpreneur Kate Hill made the leap from a career in manufacturing to becoming the proud founder of the sustainable fashion brand Lola Starr, she was yet to discover how invaluable brushing up on her graphic design skills would be. From crafting logos to designing promotional materials, Kate’s expertise was bolstered by completing a Skills Bootcamp in graphic design provided by SquareOne Training. 

We explore Kate’s inspiring story and achievements and how training organisations like SquareOne empower local people and businesses to thrive.

A creative journey rooted in manufacturing

Kate’s passion for textiles and sewing began early. Raised in South Liverpool, she fondly remembers her nan teaching her to use a sewing machine at a young age. This skill evolved into a career. 

At 16 Kate began working at Gemini, a soft furnishings factory in Garston, her speed and ability earning her recognition. She stayed for over a decade and worked her way up as a seamstress, crafting cushion covers and upholstered pieces. Kate recalls:

“I loved working in manufacturing, creating beautiful British-made goods. However, as the trend for outsourcing and imports grew, grassroots manufacturing declined.”

This downturn prompted Kate to rethink her career. At 37, she pursued a degree in Visual Merchandising and Promotional Design at Hugh Baird College, part of the University of Central Lancashire. During her studies, she developed the ‘365-day dress’, a sustainable children’s garment featuring interchangeable pieces for year-round wear.

Founding Lola Star

Inspired by the hype surrounding the 365-day dress, Kate launched Lola Starr in 2019, naming the brand after her daughter Lola. Initially focused on sustainable children’s fashion, she shifted her attention to ethical athleisure wear for women in 2021. 

“Supporting the UK textile industry remains integral to my vision,” Kate explains. 

“Knowing my designs aren’t made by underpaid workers adds meaning to my work. I can easily take a trip to visit my manufacturer and meet the makers, something I love to do. I make conscious decisions throughout the supply chain. I source premium recycled materials for the activewear, and my suppliers utilise offcuts and pay their staff properly.”

Talent to grow 

As the brand grew, Kate was spending an increasing amount of time developing marketing materials, and designing and maintaining the website. Despite having developed design software skills during university, she found long hours spent on design slowed her progress. Through networking, Kate discovered SquareOne Training’s Skills Bootcamp in Graphic Design through networking. Local entrepreneurs were invited to sign up for the course to gain skills to help grow their businesses.

Kate explains:

“When running a business single-handed, time is a precious resource. That meant there was potentially an opportunity cost as I was tied up with design for long periods. I already had some design skills, but they were rusty.

“When I found out about SquareOne Training’s Skills Bootcamp in Graphic Design, it was a no-brainer! As a self-employed entrepreneur without budgets to pay design agencies, brushing up on my skills was essential.”

The Skills Bootcamp covered design theory, taking Kate’s existing Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign skills to the next level. This sharpened her ability to create compelling designs, saving time and reducing costs. Kate became more efficient, making it easier to bring everything from pop-up shops to business presentations to life. Freeing up time means Kate can prioritise keeping the brand true to its values.

Kate adds:

“The Skills Bootcamp emphasised the importance of graphic design theory. I developed new uses for programmes like Illustrator. Learning to create storyboards and process flows means I can produce polished presentations for partnership opportunities like the ones I’ve had working with football teams and companies to design bespoke clothing. The bootcamp made it easier for me to adapt designs and stick to brand guidelines. I have just launched my hero product – functional leggings – with renowned life coach Sheryl Finley, and I have produced all the promotional materials myself.’

Building a future on skills

Lisa Johnston, MD & founder at SquareOne Training, reflects on Kate’s progress:

“I met Kate at a networking event. It quickly became clear she had a strong vision to grow Lola Starr Activewear. A Skills Bootcamp in Graphic Design was the perfect opportunity to enhance her abilities and support her ambitions to showcase her brand.

“Kate has truly been a star from start to finish. She shared her work with our team to get advice and took everything on board! Watching her grow is inspiring. I attended the launch of Kate’s new collection. It was a privilege to see the incredible branding she developed due to the course. When we spoke about her progress, Kate shared her newfound love for the Adobe suite, which has been instrumental in her journey.“

Skills Bootcamps are part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee. They are short, intensive courses that help people enter or change a career. Alongside this, local firms can tap into them to boost business performance. For small local businesses, the SquareOne Graphic Design Bootcamp hones much-needed design and digital skills vital in today’s business world. Many firms fall under the umbrella of digital business: they offer a product or service but they exist and compete in a digital marketplace. This is one of the reasons digital skills play a key role in the economy’s success across the Liverpool City Region. 

Lisa adds:

”The Skills Bootcamps we ran fostered growth and development. Seeing how the training helped Kate achieve her business goals is incredibly rewarding. It’s a testament to the power of lifelong learning and its positive impact on both individuals and ventures.”

More Inspo!

Inspired by Kate’s story? Discover more about Lola Starr’s sustainable creations [https://lolastarr.co.uk/], or how SquareOne’s training [https://squareonetraining.com/] programmes can help transform your business. 

See what other Skills Bootcamp courses are available by CLICKING HERE or visit: https://lcrbemore.co.uk/skillsbootcamps/