"I’m so proud of what I’ve created by myself, something that’s 100% mine, making my hobby a job..."

It’s a real pleasure to welcome Ali, the Founder of Loom & Light to The Business Diaries today. You’ll find her talking all about running a business during a pandemic, the myths about working in the wedding industry and the book that inspired her to begin her business (while sat lounging by the pool on a holiday in Malta). Enjoy folks…

How long have you been running your business for? How was your business born?

I started Loom&Light in September 2019; the business was born sat around the pool while on holiday in Malta. I had the idea a couple of months before but was too scared to do anything about it! I was Reading an amazing book called Shoe Dog (the memoir of the creator of Nike) It was so inspirational and although I never intend to be anything other than a small business it gave me a kick to do something about it!

What did you want to do for a career? Was this something you’d always intended on doing?

I was never very academic at school, I always loved performing I went to a stage school and wanted to be a Dance Teacher for the longest time! When I was around 17 I decided I wanted to work in Events for fashion (I watched too much MTV) So went to uni and studied Events Management. After Graduating I did lots of different jobs in Retail/ Events and Marketing which have really helped me with my business today!

What is one thing you know now that you would have told yourself when you first launched your business?

When I started, I was told “people will always get married and always die” so weddings and funerals are fail safe businesses! Little did we know that Covid would stop that all! I would have said make your business more diverse not just weddings ( something I am working on for 2022).

What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a business owner, and how have you overcome it?

We had only 6 months from setting up the business to when Covid hit! I only managed to do 2 weddings and 2 styled shoots, I found having a lack of images to share on social media really challenging over lockdown, I would put neon’s up in my house and try and take content just so I had something to post!

Tell me an invaluable lesson you have learnt as a business owner?

People are unpredictable! You may think you know how the narrative is going to go but people throw curve balls in all the time! It’s all about having the tools the navigate those tricky situations.

Being self-employed can be a struggle! How do you stay motivated? Do you have any productivity tips?

I’m not actually fully self-employed! I still work full time 9-5! Luckily, I work from home but it’s a balance of doing admin for Loom&Light on my lunch breaks and in the evening and staying on top of my day job. Seeing how happy my business makes people keeps me motivated and getting great feedback, I’m always so excited to post on Instagram after I see a fabulous photo from a bride & grooms wedding day!

Is there anyone (within the industry, celebrity, friend or family member) who inspires you and what you do for a living? Not one particular person, I’ve met so many amazing wedding suppliers from working at photoshoots and I’m always so impressed with women in particular that have followed their passions sometimes with children in toe as well it’s really inspiring!

Name me your go-to podcast, audio book or song that you listen to while working?

I love Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett, he interviews so many different types of people from bloggers to founders of massive companies I’ve learnt a lot from listening to it.

I’m all about supporting small businesses. How can your followers / customers / clients support your biz?

SHARE SHARE SHARE! I know from when I got married and was looking for suppliers I often found so many by other people sharing them on their Instagram stories / Facebook etc, if you think something is cool then share it!

What’s one thing you dislike about being a business owner?

The anxiety! As I supply to weddings it’s a huge deal, I often find it hard to relax when we have multiple back to back bookings in a week I’m always on edge until I know the couple are happy! It’s something I hope with time I can get better with.

What’s one thing you love about being a business owner?

I’m so proud of what I’ve created by myself, something that’s 100% mine is really cool I love having a creative outlet from my 9-5 I made my hobby a job!

What is a common myth about your business / field of expertise?

That we overcharge! Lots of people think it you put the word wedding in front of anything it costs double, which simple isn’t true, I did lots of research when starting and I think my prices are fair and reflect the rest of the market. We have to make money to live of as well I think people sometimes forget that!

If your business could be remembered for one thing, what would it be?

For being really fun and giving people the wow factor at an event!

What’s something your followers / customers / clients wouldn’t know about you?

Lots don’t know that I work full time, and for a charity! Some even think I have a team; the team is me my husband helps do set ups and sometimes our dog Barney comes along for the ride!

What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting their own business?

Before starting try to cover every “what if” scenarios so that you have the answers as quick as possible, also make sure you give clients terms and conditions, it’s important to protect yourself.

What do you have in store for your business? Is there anything exciting around the corner?

Now we are hopefully seeing the back of Covid I am launching the styling side of my business at the end of the year! Its been on hold for a while as I just wasn’t sure if the market would be keen for it, but I’ve had lots of interest already which is so great!