This is the story of how, through Buckinghamshire Business First's mentoring programme, she met talented fine artist Saskia Saunders, who uses the ancient craft of hand weaving to create her art, and the impact Elizabeth has had on her business.

This article is an edited version of the original, which can be read on the Urban Front website.

Saskia takes up the story...

How did you become an artist?

"I had a very creative childhood with my mum, a designer who ran her own jewellery business when my brother and I were young. We were always drawing, painting, reading, and walking in the forest with our dog.

"When I started creating art again, after a break working in the charity sector, I made my mum do the same. Only a couple of years later, she had established a bespoke portrait business, creating pictures of people and their pets. She took early retirement to focus on it full time, but a week after retiring, she died suddenly from an advanced cancer. Not long afterwards, I became a mum for the first time, and these two things galvanised my belief that life was too short not to try and start my art studio."

  

What's your approach to sustainability?

"For me, it's about being kind to animals, the environment, and my well-being. My yarns are all natural, vegan, and plant-based, and I choose to work with those that have the most positive environmental impact. Sustainability underpins everything I do. This isn’t throwaway art that satisfies a trend, it’s chosen to be treasured by my clients for years to come. This approach to consumption is intentional, less wasteful, and truly values the materials and energy put into the creative process."

How did you hear about the Buckinghamshire Business First mentoring scheme?

"I was researching business support and came across Buckinghamshire Business First. They offered to put me in touch with a mentor, and I jumped at the opportunity to learn from someone in a similar industry to mine. It appealed to me to work with someone locally, in person, and to learn from their experience."

Please tell us about your relationship with Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth is an incredibly positive, kind and encouraging person. I love her passion for business, people and creativity, and her commitment to helping me, answering my questions, and her patience with my progress.

"Elizabeth makes you feel she’s welcoming you into an extended family, and since meeting many of her clients and team, I have seen that she builds relationships that are genuine and lasting."

Does having a female mentor hold any significance for you?

"It’s hugely inspirational for me to have a female mentor, but more importantly, one who has built a business that works for her, rather than forcing herself to fit an existing mould. As a woman and a mum, I want to continue to grow my business in a way that celebrates my strengths and nourishes my energy and the quality of time I have with my family."

What’s the most valuable advice Elizabeth has given you so far?

"To believe in the quality of my work and know my own worth. It can be isolating at times, and occasionally my confidence does dip when I’m juggling the business and creative sides. Elizabeth has been fantastic at encouraging me, keeping me focused and pushing me to try new things. I might not be as quick as she suggests at putting ideas into practice, but I keep a list of everything we talk about and am working through it."

Is there anything you’ve tried because of working with Elizabeth? 

"Elizabeth has encouraged me to be more proactive about reaching out to potential clients in a variety of ways. She is a big advocate of using social media tools and newsletters to help clients find and get to know me. I have been getting good feedback so far and have been more engaged with potential and previous clients."

Have you had any new commissions as a result of working with Elizabeth?

"I am currently working on my largest commission to date, which came through a contact that Elizabeth shared with me. It’s a dream project, creating a large-scale piece for an entrance hall in the holiday home of a lovely client and her family. When the artwork is installed, it will be in a home that features many Urban Front doors. It is a huge honour to be part of a project that Elizabeth’s company has worked on."

Would you recommend the Buckinghamshire Business First mentoring scheme to others?

"Absolutely! Mentoring is a wonderful way to learn from someone who has had far more experience and can offer a different perspective on your business. I appreciate the good fit for me in terms of a local business, with a female co-founder, working in the luxury interiors and architectural industries. It’s important to have an open mind and be willing to consider different ideas and take feedback. I believe in learning constantly, and although it takes time to implement change, it leads to growth."

Elizabeth's view on mentoring

  

“I love being a mentor, and I find it very rewarding to share my experience," Elizabeth says. "I wish I’d had more mentoring opportunities when Nabil and I started Urban Front.

"I’ve learnt that not everything I suggest is going to be what my mentee wants to hear or do, and it’s always really rewarding when what I have suggested works and makes an impact on their business. Regardless of the mentor’s experience, the mentee will still know their industry best, and your suggestions can enhance that and help them build a better business over time.

"Saskia is such a delight to work with. She’s easy to work with and very willing to take all my advice on board and try new processes. I’ve enjoyed seeing her move her business forward in the last year and achieve her targets."

This article is an edited version of the original, which can be read on the Urban Front website.

Would you like a business mentor?

To learn more about being connected with an experienced mentor that can help you drive your business forward, visit our Mentoring Programme webpage, fill in this quick online form, or call 01494 927130.

Images: (Top, L-R) Saskia Saunders - photo courtesy of Alun Callender. Saskia Saunders - photo courtesy of Saskia Saunders.