Jennifer Kay launches The Mini Interior Design Company with the help of  Enterprise Hub
With a passion for interior design and 10 years’ experience of working in the merchandising industry, Jennifer Kay, the founder of The Mini Interior Design Company approached the enterprise hub to make her dream of starting her own interior design business a reality. The Mini interior Design Company offers a professional but quick, easy and inexpensive online Interior Design service with the main goal of providing beautiful room ideas to everyday people. 
Taking a leap into self-employment, Jennifer said “I have always loved Interior Design and liked the thought of being self-employed, whilst working my 9-5, I qualified as an Interior Designer and after having my son I decided I had to give it a go”
Studying and gaining her design degree from Liverpool Hope University then completing her interior design diploma online via The Interior Design Institute in London, Jennifer comments “I decided not to take the conventional interior designer approach. Instead, I wanted to offer an affordable, time-saving and convenient service for everyday people”
After designing rooms for family and friends, she decided it was time to create a real business out of it “I set up social media business pages and had a basic website created. I felt very excited about starting up, but I was also nervous and unsure about what to do next”

Always working for big organisations, Jennifer soon realised that being self-employed was very different and that she needed some guidance and an action plan “It is daunting because it’s just you trying to find your own way. I had been used to working in big offices full of people and departments that specialised in certain areas of business that I could turn to”

Jennifer approached The Women’s Organisation for business start up advice and guidance “The advice and support given by The Women’s Organisation has been invaluable to me” she also speaks of her business advisor Francine, “She was so helpful, and I really enjoyed our meetings” touching on many aspects of the business, Francine helped Jennifer create a thorough business plan along with lots of tips and advice.

Jennifer also speaks about the business courses she attended at The Women’s Organisation “They were extremely useful and always presented in a fun and engaging way, making them so enjoyable. Everyone I have met at The Women’s Organisation have been extremely down to earth and approachable. It’s been lovely networking with so many kinds of people, letting you pick extra help up along the way and exciting business ideas”
Running your own business along with living your life can sometimes be a tough act to juggle, when asked about managing that, Jennifer comments “I’m married with a two-year-old son, so I am conscious that I must separate work from family life. It is hard as there is always an email you want to look at outside working hours. You can manage your own time so core working hours can be around whatever suits you.”
…and how is the company doing now?
“I have now found that interest is growing, more enquiries are coming through and most importantly sales are increasing. I am really enjoying working through all the different aspects of my business. It is extremely rewarding to hear nice comments about what I am doing and there is nothing better than making a customer happy with a room idea I have designed especially for them.”
Jennifer enjoys putting her own stamp on things and working the way she wants, being who she wants allows her to enjoy every day. When asked what advice she would give a friend setting up their own business “Give The Women’s Organisation a call, you won’t regret it! This is advice I’ve already given to my friends who want to be self-employed”
Jennifer has started her hand at blog writing as she wishes to inspire and excite people in the world of interior design. “I will be showing my work and projects in more detail through this channel as well as talking about interior news, latest trends and advertising new products”
The Mini Intererior Design Company was recently featured in the Liverpool Business Post which you can read here
You can contact The Mini Interior Design Company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!
They also have a website and can be contacted with any queries on info@theminiinteriordesigncompany.com

If you have an idea for a business and would like to receive advice and support we can help you get started! Contact our team on enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk or 0151 706 8113.