Megan is the Founder of Manchester-based Curated Makers. Championing and representing small local businesses, Curated Makers are a collaborative retailer, hosting pop-up shops representing small businesses within high profile retailers, making shopping small and local convenient.
Expanding to have their own Curated Makers store in major shopping centres including Battersea Power Station and Meadowhall, the likes of John Lewis, Paperchase and Marks and Spencer have all played host to a Curated Makers pop-up!
“I didn’t know that running a business was even an option for me. I had gone to college, university, and then went onto get a normal job, assuming that was the only path for me. If you have a business idea or a passion that you’d like to explore further to turning it into a career, I’d recommend doing it! You only get one life, and it should be rewarding, fulfilling, and full of fun.
I found out about The (King’s) Trust back in 2018 through a friend of a friend and went on their Enterprise course to find out more about self-employment. During the course, they shared what is involved with self-employment, highlight all business basics, and show the reality of what’s involved in running your own business. I was working in retail for an e-commerce retailer, but was always chasing new projects. I wasn’t happy and wanted to set up something that would help small businesses and to help small businesses establish themselves in a retail space. I started a blog for my local area, spotlighting local businesses and met the makers of artisan markets to inform my understanding of what was out there and what they needed.”
With an idea in mind, and a passion for empowering small business and local communities Megan embarked on a journey to enrol in courses that would help her get to where she wanted and bring her business idea to life.
“Curated Makers connect small business with big opportunities, like being present in major shopping centres like Battersea Power Station and Meadowhall, and within retailers like John Lewis. We make sales and reach a whole new audience, on behalf of the makers that we showcase. As a young female entrepreneur, working with The (King’s) Trust in the early days gave me the confidence and support to make the leap into running a business. I didn’t know that running a business was even an option for me. I had gone to college, university, and then went onto get a normal job, assuming that was the only path for me.”
Megan went on to launch her business with the support of her business mentor Dave, who taught her the business basics and the encouragement to survive and persevere.
“I have worked with Dave for years since and his support, guidance, and knowledge has been invaluable. As a solo founder, I found having someone to listen, share ideas with, and learn from hugely valuable and am grateful for the many other mentors who have guided me at different points in my journey”
Fast forward and Curated Makers has gone from strength to strength. From going on to win the Young Innovators Award 2020/21, being North-West Creative Industries Entrepreneur of the Year and being featured in Forbes, Megan continues to champion small business at the highest level with many more exciting partnerships in the pipeline.
“Oh, how I wish I knew entrepreneurship was a possibility for me sooner. I’m grateful for The (King’s) Trust for showing me that it was, in fact, possible!”
