Hi Tracey, can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to set up your business?
Hi, I’m a single mother with two grown-up girls of 19 and 15, the eldest is at Edinburgh University studying midwifery. I live in Blyth and currently run my business from the family home.
After having two children and working six days a week as a manageress at a building society, with my Mum looking after the kids for me, I knew something had to change as I was missing seeing my children grow up. I wanted to spend more time with them but I also had to keep an income coming in. So I decided to set up my own business. I chose to set up an embroidery business because my Dad repairs and sells industrial embroidery machines. He suggested that I buy one of the machines and so began Dapa Designs.
The name Dapa Designs was inspired by the names of my children, Dana and Paige. In the beginning I got leaflets made and went out knocking on doors to find customers. Many of those customers are still with me now. That was 12 years ago and I haven’t looked back. I believe my customer service background has really helped me build a great relationship and rapport with my customers as I always put their needs first. This helps me stand out from the crowd. I’m a hard worker and I put my heart and soul into everything I do.
What tips would you give other women who are thinking about setting up their own business?
Don’t think too much about it – do some research but don’t over think it because if you do you will talk yourself out of it.
Have faith in yourself and believe that if you work hard enough and really focus on doing your very best for your customers you will succeed. I believe that being a woman in business has its advantages – women have empathy and can be better at putting ourselves in our customer’s shoes. I believe we are also good at anticipating problems before they happen. I do think that women can be more risk averse, though, so this is something I want to work on.
We love your quality embroidered workwear and can see you use all sorts of digital equipment in your business – what are the benefits of the internet for your business?
The internet is invaluable for me and my business, especially running my business from home – in fact, if it weren’t for the internet I don’t believe I would be able to work from home.
I use the internet for researching new customers and new products and for keeping up with innovative technology.
The internet also allows me to reach a much bigger geographical area. This is something I really want to take advantage of moving forward, through increasing my presence on social media and my website. I can see the benefits of applying everything I’ve learnt from the Be Digital course already.
What are your future plans for Dapa Designs?
I am looking to expand the business and am actively looking for premises in the Blyth area as that is where I started Dapa Designs and where a lot of my long standing customers are – and Blyth is home to my children. I also plan to take on staff to help me expand Dapa Designs.
These are very exciting and nerve wracking times for me and for Dapa Designs, especially now that I am a single parent. I am taking some risks but these risks are in my hands only and I am empowered by knowing that the business is my own responsibility. I’ve been through some difficult times in my personal life recently but I am making the most of the situation and taking the opportunity to come out stronger and to expand the business.
Photographs by Rachel of RJM Photography.
Name of interviewee: Tracey Wilkinson
Business name: Dapa Designs
Website: www.dapadesigns.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dapaworkwear
Twitter: twitter.com/DapaWorkwearUk
Business type: Printing & Embroidery
Location: Blyth, Northumberland