The Cambridge Satchel Company was founded by Julie Deane and her mother, Freda Thomas, from their kitchen table in 2008.

If you’re thinking of working with family, be realistic.

Never claim to know more than you do. Equally, remember that in every family, there are people who work harder than others. Just because you are family, that doesn’t mean you will stick together when the going gets tough (and it will). Before starting out, be clear on what each person wants and needs. However sad it would be to have a business fail, it would be even worse to destroy family relationships if you argue.

Be aware that the emotional side of things can get intense.

Because we both want the business to be at its absolute best, we can push each other a bit far. Two weeks after Jess had her first child, we thought it would be fine to put the baby in a sling and haul stone urns and huge plywood backdrops up flights of stairs at 6am. Spoiler alert: it ended in tears, from all three of us!