Laura Grace Caldwell
Laura is a young entrepreneur who runs a successful business creating jewellery with polymer clay. She has a background in theatre design. Here, she shares her inspiring story.
“Laura worked extremely hard to define and develop her brand. She was working full time, developing her business and attending the business accelerator programme.”
Getting Started
On leaving school, Laura went to university to complete a degree in performance set design and construction. After graduating, she decided to travel to allow her to expand her experiences and knowledge of the world, from which she returned with an appetite to further explore her own creativity.
“My mum bought me a block of classes at the Central Scotland School of Jewellery in Dunblane,” she tells us. At this point Laura had also been navigating Pinterest and saw products being made from polymer clay. And that was it! Laura went and bought some and started to create and experiment, making items for family and friends for their Christmas in 2019.
“I set up an Etsy shop in 2020 and quickly started to sell out batches of product,” she says.
Support and progress
Laura’s product range focuses on hoop earrings of every colour, size and design. She took her simple concept and decided to apply for the Elevator programme. Laura explains, “This changed my life, giving me the space to learn and meet other people, and to explore who I was as an entrepreneur and a creative.”
During September to December 2020 Laura worked extremely hard to define and develop her brand. She was working full time, developing her business and attending the business accelerator programme. She recognised that her work/life balance was a constant challenge, however in year 2 she has seen 100% growth, so all the hard work is definitely paying off. Laura says, “I worked hard to sustain a business, attend college and maintain a social life.” This is a balance that many start ups find their biggest challenge!
Laura says she was not good at using the support that surrounded her, but she knew that getting this balance right would be important. GrowBiz and Perthshire Artisans provided a great tool that she could tap into, building her network and getting expert advice, and taking part in the Women’s Enterprise Network allowed her to ask questions and share her thoughts.
The creative community in Comrie has a special place in Laura’s heart, and the wider creative network in Perth & Kinross and Dundee. She also shared her special introduction to Emily James, an acclaimed theatre designer. Laura met Emily whilst working in a local deli and Emily invited her to share her studio. Laura was extremely grateful for the gift of space and a creative friend to continue with on her journey.
“My family are amazing and also creative,” Laura reveals. “Before a recent St James Quarter launch my family arranged to send me away for some much-needed R&R while they spent the weekend making my infamous hoops!” Obviously they had to be quality controlled, Laura laughed, but her appreciation was tangible.
Looking to the future
Laura welcomes the chance to support other young entrepreneurs and last year spoke to secondary pupils in Crieff and Auchterarder, inspiring them with her entrepreneurial journey and the truth about self-employment.
She is keen to continue supporting others who want to follow their dream: “Everything happens for a reason, and you should be brave. It (the journey) can be scary and it is personal and a bit of your soul, but well worth it.”
Laura is still at college at the time of writing this article, but she has huge ambitions and goals for after graduation. She is keen to develop Wear with Grace. Eventually she would love to have a Wear with Grace studio and shop with a couple of employees!
Laura has already seen such success, which is down to her hard work, energy and commitment. GrowBiz and SEED are looking forward to seeing just where Wear with Grace can go with Laura driving it forward!