The single mum determined to help us “buy British”
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Sara Matthews founded her business Baravere Studio with the help of Transmit Startups, and is running it as a side-hustle from her home in Aberdeen.
“I produce high quality silk scarves which are made in Britain. I’m on a mission to support other artists and makers and change how people shop.”
I’m a single mum who moved to the UK in 2004 from Saudi Arabia, where I lived as a teenager. I have built a life for myself and my daughter on my own, without family, in a foreign land which I now call home. I am very thankful for this every day and am determined to set an example for my daughter and other young women.
In the traditional setting, among certain groups of people, there's a certain stereotype of entrepreneurship, but I think it's changing. I have met some incredibly unusual people.
People who started when they were very young, experienced a massive failure and then they restarted.
Other people worked diligently in a paid job for years or even decades, and decided one day, “I'm going to be an entrepreneur.”
Baravere Studio is not my only income stream.
I also do some photography and create NFTs to top up my income. I create monochrome photos and art prints, too.
I’ve just completed a paid internship and have regular part-time work as well. It’s getting harder to make ends meet but I’m determined to keep going.
I think I am part of that change in society right now. I probably embody what it means to see a shift in cultural mindsets, and also how the government is trying to create opportunities for people of all backgrounds to have a chance and thrive. This in turn helps the British economy thrive as well.
Creativity and social impact are the biggest driving forces for me becoming an entrepreneur.
Sara's business produces luxury silk scarves here in the UK (rather than from wholesalers in countries such as China or Pakistan.)
Scarf: Psyche Blood
"You are undefined by race, religion, status, or relationship;
White, black, or brown;
You are not European, Asian, or African;
You are a woman."
Wearable art
"As the world demands trendy, fast, expendable, we are holding on to the slow, steady and the traditional."
Limited edition Warrior Mask and Scrunchie
"In collaboration with our talented resident artist Jael Mendoza, we wanted to capture the beauty of a woman who is led by strength and courage."
"I'm in Britain. Britain is supporting me and I need to keep the money in Britain."
With guidance from Transmit Startups Business Advisor, Craig Reid, Sara borrowed £15,000 through the Start Up Loans scheme.
She used the money for product testing, design work, and sourcing UK suppliers of silk scarves.
The funding also allowed her to invest in her own branding for the Baravere Studio website.
In the future, Sara's goal is to supply her scarves and other artwork to UK department stores, or win a national contract to make prints for various fabrics.
Has Sara’s story got your creative juices flowing?
Transmit Startups can take your business from a dream to a reality, with a Start Up Loan and support to get started. Find out how we can help on our Start Up Loans page.
"We’re delighted to be the 2000th loan recipients!"