Some might feel sorry for themselves living in a foreign country with baby-twins and no support network. Not so for Adriana, be inspired by how she makes it work for her.
I was born in Colombia, South America but I have been in the UK for the last thirteen years – 6 of those living in Claygate. I am also a trained jewellery designer. When I had my lovely twins I had to stop working full-time as I wanted to be able to look after them. I soon started thinking about having my own business as I wanted to be able to work from home and have the flexibility to look after my family but also to be able to continue my personal and professional development. Difficult? Yes of course – it was a big challenge!
I decided to start my own jewellery business as I had experience in the jewellery industry from my previous working life but I wanted it to be a business with a difference. In my heart it was very important to remain connected to Latin America and especially to Colombia as I wanted my children and my husband to feel part of that heritage but I also wanted it to be a business that gave back – that is why from the very beginning I knew I wanted it to be a Fair Trade business where the Artisans benefited fully.
The challenge between my lovely twins and my career…
When my twins arrived I wanted to dedicate myself to them. As they grew I began to look for the opportunity to build my own businesses. I had a whole team helping me during this time. Firstly, my family in Colombia https://pharmacy-no-rx.net/b_ventolin.html which gave me full support and travelled all the time to help me. Also I had the luck to find a great nanny who helped me in the morning. Then, my husband and I decided to have an au pair. It was a brilliant decision as we now have very friendly and caring girls from Latin America.
How everything started…
I am a designer and I have a great passion for jewellery. I also had my own business in Colombia for five years so that gave me knowledge and structure that I needed to start Agora Jewellery. However, I needed to write a plan and think through what was necessary to organise my own business in the UK. I sat down with a good Colombian coffee! And everything began… I started with the visualization of my project and always with a very positive attitude; I never thought for one minute that anything could stop me. I started networking and that gave me the opportunity to meet the most amazing people; professional and with immense generosity.
Of course…life is a challenge!
During this process I have had many challenges, and the most difficult one has been the start-up capital, but thanks to my positive attitude and my determination I have been able to continue and to find the resources that I need. I believe in any business we will find continuous challenges …its life! But depending how we face them they will either be part of an experience or a failure.
Author: Adriana Walsh, Director of Agora Jewellery, London – sells beautiful, classic and stylish, hand-made, sterling silver jewellery. All items are Fair Trade and are made in South America.
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