REWIND back to November 2020
…. go to my back to work interview at VAX after having my 2nd child. Even remember taking her in the pushchair with me ha-ha. Sitting there with the section manager and setting everything up. Yep, see you in a few weeks and off home I went and spoke to my hubby Matthew Pugh about what I wanted and needed to do for my own sanity.
I wasn’t happy, something wasn’t quite right, the atmosphere at VAX, the people, or just me but something was a little off.
So, I slept on it a few days, still something didn’t feel quite right, so I wrote my letter of resignation and off it went via email. And did not even get a response just shows.
So, I logged the laptop on and looked into self-employment, i had the start off materials already from making bits for the kids in lockdown, the laptop the cutter, the basic skills etc.
And set up SMEE Designs personalised gifts, you know the small crafty bits, bottles, soap holders, keyrings etc with vinyl.
After just a few weeks I was in love with what I was doing and started to spread my wings a little at a time.
Sooner rather than later, I had outgrown the corner of the bedroom and took over the whole room (apart from the bed) most days haha.
Decided then I needed to separate my work from my home life, so found a small office just outside of town.
After that, we wanted to go even further with the huge help from family Kate Pugh and Ken we purchased the BEAST (my 1st multi needle embroidery machine) and wow business took another turn and boomed.
The business name changed to SMEE Designs – Embroidery & Print
We soon outgrew that room (within 18 months) and a double room came up in the same block so off we packed and moved in Nove 2022 to a slightly larger office with a partition so we could separate the workshop from the customers.
And what a whirlwind of just 4 months that was let’s just say, the block didn’t like the idea of machinery in the block as it was ‘disturbing other businesses’… even though we told them at every point what we were doing.
So, in March 2023 we had to search, and quick for something else or SMEE was to close. and the lovely lot Matt Lingard Sarah Kennett at Physique Fitness had the perfect solution
We moved mid-March 2023 to out Unit on Berry Hill Industrial Estate next to the amazing Julie’s café. We cannot thank Physique Fitness enough for the opportunity to rent one of their front offices
We soon filled our room, and business was picking up again. We upgraded to our 3rd machine. Now all having names BEAST, BRUCE and BARRY they are working all day ever day on the orders.
We have a great reliable team of suppliers, an amazing support team of family and friends who share, love and follow us.
Our journey so far has been a rocky one, not one month has it been plain sailing but with determination, support and help we have made it into our 5th year of SMEE Designs – Embroidery & Print
Much love to you all, thanks for reading (if you get this far) xx