What we’ve learned
UME London is a fashion brand blending Eastern and Western styles, run by four sisters: Suki, Gurpreet, Sani and Simmy.
Never give up. We learned this from a young age, as we were all under the age of 10 when our father died. Our mother became a widow in her early 30s with four young girls. Cultural stigmas born from our Indian heritage led to years of being shunned. However, this judgement became the drive for our business. We were determined to unite cultures through our love of fashion.
Sisters Emily and Victoria Ceraudo founded their London-based interiors brand in 2016. Ceraudo offers ‘a beguiling mix of antique and contemporary furniture and accessories at affordable prices’.
Discuss issues as and when they arise. Victoria says: For us, this was when our workloads did not balance with our respective daily schedules. Emily works best in the evenings after her two children are in bed, while I work best in the mornings. By discussing this early on, we were able to form a flexible plan that worked for both of us, and this will also prepare us for my upcoming maternity leave when the balance will switch again. Don’t sit on anything for too long that could become a bigger issue.
Mother-and-daughter team Kay (right) and Sanya Wadud, from Merseyside, set up Perfect Samosa in 2015 and specialise in artisan, handcrafted samosas, with flavours including a Nutella fudge brownie!
In family businesses, your past can shape your future. Kay says: Being the eldest of seven, I grew up in a household where tight finances meant a lot of batch-cooking. I would stuff samosas with leftovers, and they were always a hit. Years later, I did the same for my own children. Sometimes, creativity can be born from necessity. Thinking about your own unique experiences and upbringing could spark an original idea.
Mother and daughter Brinker and Eliza create handmade jewellery and accessories for their brand Brinker & Eliza.
Set boundaries – but don’t be too strict. We’re so excited about what we’re working on that it’s hard not to talk about it when we’re supposed to be ‘off’. It’s often during this time when we’re relaxed that ideas start to form.