Tell Us About Your Career So Far
I’m 45-year-old mother of 2, textile designer and creative small business owner. I have worked in the fashion industry for nearly 20 years. When I graduated from Brighton University, I moved to NYC straight away to work as a textile agent. Until 9/11 happened. That day changed my whole outlook on life. Quite quickly I realised I didn’t want to be working so far away from my family and close friends.
I came home and worked in the British fast fashion industry for a couple of years. Then made a crazy decision to move to Spain to escape it all and work as a freelancer for a print studio. 3 years later returned to the UK and settled in Sussex to continue freelancing as a conceptual print designer. I had 2 kids very close together and almost stop designing while they really needed me.
I set up Indigowares as a way of working from home and being able to bring up my kids without any commuting to work.
At the same time my marriage fell apart and I separated from my husband. Fast forward 3 years and I now have a little creative company called Indigowares. By beginning Indigowares, I have followed a dream and given myself the confidence and self-belief I hadn’t found in myself before.
What 2 Things Do You Do To Build Your Confidence?
I think I have learnt a lot about confidence and self-belief along the way. I think it is true that confidence does come with age. A big part of my confidence comes from positive self-talk from within. If you are true to who you are and what makes you happy then this will be a major core to confidence building.
The next thing that helps me with my confidence is exercise. Exercise releases great happy endorphins that feed our well-being. And it also gives you important body confidence. When you know you’ve done your exercise it gives you a pride of self and a glow like non other. And with age comes knowing your own style. Once you figure that out your confidence will blossom.
What Has Been Your Biggest Life Lesson So Far?
I think it’s hard to measure the biggest life lesson. Obviously, divorce throws all the others out of the window. But I’m not sure that’s a life lesson more a survival decision. All I know is that over the years I haven’t gone with my gut instinct as much as I should have and some of that was because I didn’t have as much self-belief or confidence. Now I listen a lot more to my inner self.
How Do You Feel About Getting Older?
50 is only 5 years away and that does feel like a big number, but all the journeys, emotionally and physically, have got me there. Confidence goes hand in hand with age.
I’m not saying that I don’t worry when I look in the mirror and see my skin maturing rapidly. Worrying about the crow’s feet around my eyes and the skin on my neck looking not like mine anymore. But that’s where self-talk comes in and I tell myself it’s all part of the journey and look at my daughter and see her journey just beginning.
What’s Your Purpose In Life?
My purpose in life is to firstly bring up 2 strong independent people that are happy with who they are and ready to start carving out their own dreams. Secondly my purpose is to continue to keep chasing my own dream of developing a brand that people associate with keeping alive traditional textile processes and designing pieces that resonate with creative men and women and their spirit.
How Do You Balance Work And Life Responsibilities? What Sacrifices Have You Made?
Life balance is a tricky one to get right, there are no magic rules to follow. A lot must come from listening to your own body and mind. Try not to be everything to everyone, its ok to say ‘No’.
This year is the first time I’ve scheduled my indigo workshops and markets a year ahead. It’s taken a lot of the worry away and now I can manage my year more effectively.
As a family we eat together every evening at the table and I’m constantly trying to encourage my kids to try more vegetables and different dishes. It doesn’t always go to plan, but we always end up at the table eating at least!
I’m not sure if I’d say I have made sacrifices in life. When you have kids, it is a shock to your life balances. I felt like I had lost my life for a while until I realised a new chapter had begun and this was part of the journey. Taking a break from a career can be seen as a sacrifice but what you gain by having children outweighs it all.
My take on it is that by being here for them every day, listening and helping them grow that they’ll always want me in their lives, hopefully.
What Are Your Top Self-Care Tips? How Do You Relax?
My one big self-care tip is learning to love yourself and your body. Wish I’d done it years ago. I’m grateful every day for what I have, have learnt, am learning. Gratitude makes me feel happy. I tell myself each morning “I am grateful because….”
I don’t take it for granted anymore. I am in awe as a woman – of what we are capable of.
I’ve come to understand true friendship. And know no matter what happens they will be always there. Women need women. We can talk about things men would never dream of discussing. I try and surround myself with vibrant happy people. Age should never define friendship – different aged women in your life make it richer.
I find it hard to get a lot of down time but when I do, I love time in my garden. Digging and growing is good for the soul no matter how old you are.
What Advice Would You Give The Next Generation Of Girls?
My best advice to the next gen of girls is to always find the good vibes in your head and be kind to yourself. Never stop smiling and always chase what matters.
For more information on Lisa, please go to her website.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this, why not check out our other interviews with inspiring women, including Libby Jackson and Kate Pankhurst.
