How Does She Do It?

International Women's Day is just around the corner and to celebrate the success of Women in Business here is an interview I carried out with Hampshire Business woman Lisa Carpenter who shares with us the secrets of her success.

Has running your own business been something you always wanted to do?
Yes I'm very motivated and always setting myself goals, if anything I think I can be too critical of myself & my goals!!!


What inspired you to set up Bright Sparkles?
I felt there was a gap in the market for reasonably priced smaller gifts on the party plan level that catered for a whole range of people


What previous knowledge were you able to draw on while getting started and running your business?
The launching of my husbands business 8 months earlier – Mobile Car Solutions and previously to that I have always worked in Tele or Field Sales.

How long did it take for you to build from idea to launch?

I have had ideas melting away for many years but it really sped up when my little boy started preschool and then we had all the party invites and presents that needed buying….I didn’t know what characters they liked or toys they played with and I didn’t want to spend £8+ on a present that may be wrong. So Bright Sparkles was born catering for the fact that you can buy 2/3 presents for £5/6 which are suitable!

What would you say was the hardest part of getting started?

Ive always been very organized & methodical but when its your own business you have to stay focused and not let your ideas, excitement and products run away with you. I stick to my strapline…”Funky but different, reasonably priced but retaining quality”

What challenges have you faced?

Which stock to buy that will sell to a spectrum of people
Training of party planners
Standardising documents
Creating my website

And your greatest challenge?

It was making the decision to Party Plan the business, it takes a lot more time & energy to stay on top of stock needed, ordering levels & accounts! Now its running and im in control of it, I feel very proud of my ladies!


What have you learned about business during the process?

You realize who your friends are, they understand the constraints of your time but are always there to listen and let you brainstorm your ideas with them, whilst giving honest & constructive feedback!


What qualities would you say women need to succeed in business?

Determination
Strength
Focus
Sense of humour
Smile
And of course the credit card at the start!!!


What goals do you have for Bright Sparkles & Mobile Car Solutions that you'd like to reach over the next year?
For Bright Sparkles I would like to increase my number of party planners from 4 to 10

For Mobile Car Solutions, increase no of cold calls I currently make and do more networking events to continue its promotion and awareness in its market within the Hampshire & West Sussex area.