In our ‘Inspiring small businesses’ series, we share and celebrate great stories from small business owners who started and run their own business. By bringing you closer to these inspiring businesses we hope that you find motivation, tips, and ideas for building yours. For our next interview, we spoke to Kym Armstrong, founder of MAKE! The Lakes.

What is it that you do?

I am the owner and founder of MAKE! The Lakes, a sewing and craft workshop and retreat business based in The Lake District. I aim to inspire like-minded people to be creative in making wonderful homemade things in beautiful places. I lead stylish sewing and craft workshops in everything from lampshades to patchwork to dressmaking and more. My main focus is to create an escape from everyday Iife where students can relax whilst learning something new and leave with a finished functional item.

Inspiring the local community is also very important to me and I regularly give talks at the WI and other similar clubs as well as hosting workshops for community groups, and charity events.

What's the story behind your business?

Sewing and crafting has been my hobby from a very young age. As a child I was always wanting to make something and carried my little craft box with me everywhere.

However, career-wise it all began with something completely different...! I started out with Musical Theatre Drama School training in London when I was 18. After graduating I worked as a Principal Singer on cruise ships for a while (if you look very carefully on youtube there may still be a few clips!). To cut a very long story short...I then decided I was more interested in fixing the costumes than the actual performing! This led me to work as a dresser for a busy London theatre and take some costume commissions for friends. I totally caught the sewing bug and changed careers!

What inspired you to start your own business? 

After changing careers, I worked and taught sewing at The Village Haberdashery shop in London. This is where my passion for sharing skills and inspiration grew. In 2018 I moved back to my home county of Cumbria and MAKE! The Lakes was born. I have always been a highly organised person and I loved the idea of being able to design and arrange my own events for others to enjoy.

What is the most difficult aspect of running your own business?

MAKE! The Lakes is still a very young business, I started it in November last year. I still work full time as well as running the business so I guess the most difficult thing is balancing my time. My 'day job' is not exactly a normal 9 to 5 either.... I am an Assistant Curator and Custodian at Muncaster Castle. This means I look after all the historic textiles in the Muncaster collection as well as living in the 800-year-old haunted castle!

What is the best thing about running your own business?

The sense of achievement in making an event happen and seeing students totally immerse themselves in a project. Students often comment that I have inspired them to continue with a new skill they have learned with me at home. This is so rewarding to hear. 

To find out more about upcoming MAKE! The Lakes events, visit  www.makethelakes.co.uk or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.