| About Carrie Elspethback to Carrie Elspeth section page  Carrie Elspeth always knew that she wanted to have her own business. With a background in Design and a childhood filled with making jewellery for friends and family, it was a simple decision for the hardworking graduate. Inspired by meeting other entrepreneurs who shared her passion for ideas and enthusiasm, Carrie set up her jewellery business in 1999. Determined to become a market leader in creating a well-designed, accessible and beautiful product that would be handmade locally, Carrie's business foundations still hold strong to this day.
The business has grown incredibly since Carrie first opened a little studio in the rural market-town of Cowbridge, South Wales. Now occupying a large studio-warehouse in the same town, Carrie Elspeth employs 10 staff and has a team of 25 local outworkers who manufacture the jewellery to the same high standards that Carrie first implemented.
One of the most significant changes to the business arrived in the form of Carrie's husband Steve, who left a successful career in a blue chip I.T. company to join Carrie Elspeth as Managing Director in 2003. It was their shared intention to bring some of the technology and best practices from a large company and introduce it to Carrie Elspeth to help it to grow in a sustainable way. It was a challenging decision for both Carrie and Steve meaning that Carrie Elspeth would now have to support the entire family, but the shared belief in the potential of the company was strong and they deemed the risk worthwhile. Hindsight has proved what a good choice it was, as Steve has been able to help drive the business forward, concentrating on the day-to-day running of the office and implementing a foundation of computer-based technology. This has helped the business manage its growth and allowed Carrie to focus on her creative skills and have more time to design beautiful jewellery.
It has been a journey full of challenges, not only from a business perspective, with steep learning curves for Carrie in all areas, but also from a personal perspective as she has had to battle with the constant challenge of achieving an acceptable work/life balance. Carrie and Steve wanted to start a family, and the birth of their son 8 weeks prematurely added extra pressure to an already life-changing event. One of the hardest choices women face in business is the balance of motherhood and personal ambition, and Carrie has found herself busier than ever, albeit under even more rewarding circumstances.
Carrie still gathers beads from all over the world, choosing carefully for each new range she designs, inspired by colour and shape as she always has been. Three full jewellery Collections are launched each year, more than most companies can achieve, to keep shop displays fresh and the many Carrie Elspeth fans happy. Always looking to expand her ideas and repertoire, Carrie has created 'Opulence' an extravagant, indulgent, limited edition collection, and has just launched 'Connect', her flagship range of striking pewter cufflinks.
The hard work and commitment from Carrie and her dedicated team has not gone unnoticed. Carrie was recently crowned winner at the Welsh Woman of the Year Awards for Best Small Business Owner, and achieved the glowing accolade of being finalist for "Best Service to Independent Retail" at The Greats industry awards. She has also won the Welsh Young Business Achiever and World Young Business Achiever in Innovation and Design awards, which culminated in an invitation to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen!
Awards are a welcome boost from the industry, but what drives Carrie forward is the positive response she has always got from the public, the people who buy and wear her jewellery. With every new Collection she designs and launches, Carrie is re-invigorated and re-inspired by the comments she receives, and will continue producing beautiful, accessible, handmade jewellery as long as she can!
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