Our cover star, Carole Middleton, talks to us about her passions and maintaining optimism

In an exclusive interview, Carole Middleton talks to GH about her continuing passion for her business, the joy of being a hands-on grandmother and her rather surprising choice of music

It is not a great surprise that when Carole Middleton had an idea for her own business, it was tied up with celebrating good times. A sociable person, she loves parties and is always the first on and last off the dance floor, usually with her husband, Michael. Together, the couple founded and built up Party Pieces into a successful business. While Michael, 71, has decided to step back, Carole is still as passionate about it as ever. When we talk, she is excited that Party Pieces is launching its first range of own-brand decorations and tableware. Family has always been a key part of the Party Pieces story; inspiration for it came when Carole was planning parties for her own children, Catherine, Pippa and James. Now, of course, all three are grown up and Carole is a hands-on grandmother to Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge’s three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and to Pippa’s son, Arthur.

In person, Carole is charming and approachable. At 66, she loves being active and likes nothing more than walking her dogs and – in normal times – running up and down hills with her grandchildren. This year, she is looking forward to being a grandmother again when Pippa’s second child is born.

We’re huge fans of Party Pieces – what inspired you to take a new direction when you launched it and what was your dream then?

Back in 1987, I was a young mother looking for inspiration for Catherine’s fifth birthday party. All I could find was a range of paper plates decorated with clowns – and I realised there was a gap in the market for time-pressed parents like me, who wanted to create imaginative parties for their children. I put together a small range of products that I knew would help parents hold simple but fun parties for their little ones – things I would choose for our own parties. I advertised the business with a poster at Pippa’s nursery; a couple of orders came in, and Party Pieces was up and running.

How did you find the confidence to turn your idea into a reality?

I have always been interested in business and taking opportunities. I think, in another life, I might have been a management consultant. I’m always thinking of how businesses can work better, and I find it hard to switch that off! I’m passionate about having an idea and making

At some point, I’d like to have a big party. Despite founding Party Pieces, I’ve never actually had my own big party and I’d love one!

it a reality. So it’s not confidence, it’s just what I’m interested in and what I love to do.

What does a typical day of work look like for you?

The business has a CEO now, so I have the luxury of being able to focus on new ideas and how to grow, which is always an enjoyable challenge. We’re currently working on the very first range of Party Pieces own-brand tableware for children’s parties, and that is a real passion project. I’m still hands-on and love going to our warehouse and seeing where the orders are going. I have a wonderful team of people, some of whom have stayed with me since the early days.

Where do you get your strong work ethic from?

I’m not someone to sit on the sofa for a long time. I have a lot of energy and enjoy my work. I grew up watching my parents, who both worked extremely hard. My father was a builder, and my mother worked part-time in a jewellery shop and later, would go to work in a factory. I remember them working hard to make ends meet and give us a lifestyle.

Many of our readers look to you as a source of inspiration. Who are the women who have inspired you throughout your life?

Early on in my career I saw Laura Tenison, the founder of Jojo Maman Bébé, give a talk about her experience in business and found that very inspiring. I’m inspired by female founders such as her and Chrissie Rucker, founder of The White Company. You don’t expect to see female entrepreneurs of my age who have also raised a family, so when I do, I’m impressed by them.

You must have learned some valuable lessons over the 34 years since you launched the business. What would you tell your younger self?

The biggest lesson I’d teach myself would be to be a bit braver; I was brave, but I could have been even braver. I could have expanded faster and done more. I was a bit cautious because I had a young family and responsibilities. But those who do well are willing to take risks. I should have listened to my instinct a bit more – but I suppose it’s all very well saying that now, at my age.

You juggled running the business with raising three children – how did you make it work?

Initially, I was working from my kitchen table, and later in our cleared-out garden shed. I would work while the children were in school or nursery, or after they were tucked up in bed. My husband, Michael, would help in his spare time. Then, as the business developed, he left his job to work on Party Pieces with me full time. It fitted nicely with our family routine, as there was less demand for party items over the summer holidays, so I could be with the children. And it was the kind of business that was family-friendly anyway – when they were small, the children enjoyed being around the toys and balloons and were often the chief product testers and feedback committee!

Your family were very involved from the outset – how important is their advice to you now?

I’m very family-orientated, so their feedback is so important to me. If they order something, they’ll tell me what they think of the buying process or how it’s delivered, and they’ll tell me if they can’t find something they’re looking for, so I can consider expanding a range. As for many parents with grown-up children, they are my worst critics and most trusted advisers!

What have been the challenges of running the business in the pandemic and how have you stayed positive?

I’ve stayed positive by counting my blessings. I have really felt for those on the frontline and for young people who couldn’t go out and make new friends or fall in love! We have been very lucky that we’ve been able to keep trading. The big parties had to be put on hold but people have been making even more effort than usual to make lockdown birthdays special. The creativity from our customers has been very inspiring. I also had the belief that we would get through it. This has been the test for our generation, but I know things will get better.

What motivates you to keep working now?

I’m an optimistic and enthusiastic person; it’s in my DNA. I only need to go on a bike ride to have a new idea. I’m constantly looking at new ways people are celebrating and working out how we can help them make their events special. We noticed how much people love the ‘reveal’ moment of a birthday display – it’s so special when children walk into the room to see it looking amazing. So we’re really excited to take that ‘wow-factor’ to the next level with our own innovative tableware and showstopping centrepieces. I can’t wait to see how children and their parents – and grandparents, of course – react.

I have always been interested in business and taking opportunities

Do you ever see yourself stopping?

I can’t picture a world in which I’m not working. I can certainly enjoy holidays and downtime, but it’s nice to achieve things and see your work come to fruition. Even in old age I’ll be intrigued by the latest trends for children’s parties – although it’ll probably still be football and unicorns!

What does your husband think about the fact you are so passionate about work, as he has now decided to take a step back from the business?

I think he is delighted really. We were partners in life and in the business, which was great and it worked really well for us, but I think he feels this is the right time for a change. He is in early 70s now and he can concentrate on other stuff. He is really supportive and quite excited to see what is going to happen.

You now have four wonderful grandchildren and another one on the way – what sort of a grandmother are you?

I’m very hands-on: I want to run down the hills, climb the trees and go through the tunnel at the playground. As long as I am able to, that’s what I’ll be doing. I cook with them, I muck around dancing, we go on bike rides.

What do you hope to pass down to your grandchildren?

Probably a love of the countryside. I grew up in a city, so I really see the value of being able to appreciate nature and be active outdoors.

Do you also want to pass down your work ethic? You said you got that from your own parents.

I feel it is my children’s role to pass on what they think is important to their children. That will happen; I suspect it will include a work ethic, because I know I have passed it on to my children. I have tried hard to be a listening grandmother and mother-in-law. That is why we are all still close, because our relationship has evolved as my children have had children. I’ve learned to be a wise grandmother, I hope. I know how hard it was for me bringing up my own children, that you invest a lot in them, and don’t really want a know-it-all granny out there.

The past year has been a strange and difficult one, but it’s also brought many families together. How important has staying connected to family been to you during this time?

Before the first lockdown, our son, James, and his fiancée moved in with us, so we had a lot of quality time together. I obviously couldn’t see the rest of my family as much as I would have liked to, but we got good at doing video calls with each other. We did a lot of quizzes, like the rest of the country. We’re all very competitive!

You’ve built a successful business around people having gatherings and parties – how important are they in your life?

I love big parties. I’m the first and the last on the dance floor. I’ll dance at a wedding or in the kitchen after a dinner for four people. Parties make you feel good. They’re a way to celebrate a moment or a milestone, but really they’re about being surrounded by the people you love.

What are your essentials to a good gathering at home when restrictions allow?

I love a kitchen supper, where I have a small number of guests. I’ll cook something delicious and make it look lovely,

then we’ll finish with a kitchen disco.

What always gets you dancing, and do you have some favourite tracks?

I quite like the new stuff. At the moment I get up and dance to Jess Glynne, so the family tease me as I always put her on. People are often surprised to know that I love House music – something with a good beat – and so does Mike!

What’s your favourite room in your home and why do you love it?

My kitchen. It’s a kitchen/dining/sitting room and it’s the heart of the house. I also worked there throughout the lockdowns. We have an Aga, so it’s always warm.

You’re kept so busy with your work; what helps you switch off and relax?

I’ve always loved gardening and growing my own vegetables; during the lockdown last year, I put even more energy into it. We’re still living off the produce now! I also love to cook, and trying new dishes. I have every Mary Berry cookbook and also love alternative chefs such as Amelia Freer.

What are your secrets to staying healthy and strong – both physically and mentally?

Exercise and being outside a lot. My dogs keep me fit, and last year, I invested in an electric bike, which is a real gift for speeding off through the countryside. My sport of choice is tennis but I prefer lessons and drills to games – my family joke that I’m the most coached person in the world! I’m interested in nutrition and am open-minded to new ways of eating. I read health magazines and, if there’s a new health trend, I’ll do my own research on it to see if it’s worth trying.

What are your hopes and goals for the rest of 2021?

I hope we see Covid-19 coming under control so all of us can have a more normal life. Hopefully this year, more people will get to celebrate their special occasions with friends and family. I also hope to see more of my family than I could last year, including, of course, my new grandchild. And at some point, I’d like to have a big party. Despite founding Party Pieces, I’ve never actually had my own big party – and I’d love one!

 Visit partypieces.co.uk

I’m passionate about having an idea and making it a reality