Mommaprenuer: Kathie Stamou Accessory Artist

Tell us about yourself: I am married and have a 16 year old daughter and a 12 year old son. I m originally from New York and spent 5 years in Dublin before moving here to the UK just last February. I am pretty outgoing and find it easy to connect with people and make friends. Useful when moving to a foreign country!

How did you make the decision to pursue your art career and work from home? After spending 10 years as a nutritional counselor in the States, I felt I needed a change and really wanted to explore my artistic side. I had been knitting and crocheting for as long as I can remember usually working without a pattern to create fabulous scarves, hats, art pieces and more. My interests had evolved into making jewellery and I decided to try to turn it into a business. It was perfect when we moved overseas, as this was something I could take with me. We started travelling quite a bit and I really took it to the next level by combining my knitting and crocheting skills with the eclectic materials I find in my travels throughout the world.

How do you balance work and family? It is easy for me, as the kids are a bit older, and I can spend most of my day working without interruption. I do have a little trouble letting go on the weekend though! Just so much I want to do.

If you could go back in time to the beginning stages of your venture, what advice would you give yourself? Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Network with other business people, even if they are not in your field. You can learn a lot about focusing on your target and making a business plan etc… These are things I’m just starting to come to terms with. I tend to just want to create!

Tell us about your average day: I usually spend the morning running errands or doing things around the house. After lunch I start working and usually keep it up until dinner time, with breaks for collecting children from school. I try to divide my time between marketing (mostly computer stuff) and making jewellery.

What do you love most about owning and operating your own creative business? I love the challenge of engineering what I’ve conceived. Of course it never comes out like it started out in my imagination, but evolves into something better. I also love it when I find people who really get it. They understand the art behind it and appreciate it as such.

Besides your work and family, what else do you enjoy doing? I like to travel and go to the theater.