PomPom Dream Tents
Whilst Heather had been thinking about being the owner of her own business for years, she was unsure as to what sector to pursue.
"I used to chat to my colleague at work about it as he was also keen to have his own business. We both said numerous times that we weren’t good enough at anything in particular and didn’t know what we were really passionate about."
Whilst enjoying working in HR for 13 years and watching from a distance as a few friends set up their own businesses locally (bespoke&oak, SelinaWalton photography being two examples), Heather felt like she wanted to do something that she really loved and cared about.
In November 2019 aged 38 Heather was diagnosed with triple negative grade 3 breast cancer. Needing 12 months off work due to surgery, chemo and radiotherapy even whilst trying to home school her two children and feeling sick and tired from treatment, Heather had the time to really think about things.
"I guess the shock of having cancer made me realise that I wanted to do more of what made me happy, to spend time with family and to show the kids that actually you can do anything you put your mind to!"
With daughter Neve having a rubbish time in lockdown, unable to see her friends and her mum undergoing chemotherapy, Heather really wanted to do something special for her 8th birthday and came up with the idea of hiring a bell tent in the garden for the family (Heather, John, Neve and Hattie) to celebrate and sleep in. Excited Heather and sister Jen looked into hiring a tent off a party business, then it hit them! Why not do it themselves!!!
Both back as full time workers sisters Jen and Heather wanted something that was theirs, which gave them time together doing something they really enjoy. Another inspiration for Heather was her mum
"She has brought me and my sister up on her own since our dad died of cancer aged 40 when I was 9 and Jen 7. She has always worked very hard and even set her own business up with my dad called GAP Business services (Graham and Andree Pomfret) because they needed something that would be flexible around hospital appointments and treatment. Not only did my dad have terminal liver and lung cancer, my sister has rheumatoid arthritis and was in a wheelchair when she was younger so hospital visits were very often!"
Setting up the business was tough even with huge amounts of research, advice and forums. The sisters had to get to grips with business social media accounts, creating a website (still being created), get a logo, design packages and prices and branding etc. There was a lot to complete and it cost more than originally anticipated to get all of the equipment and accessories. Although lockdown meant the adaptation of the parties, Covid Care packages are proving a very popular birthday party alternative.
"We genuinely love celebrations and making memories. We know how important it is and love getting family and friends together. We also love making things look pretty and for people to feel special."
Working full time whilst owning a business is hard, but this is on another level of impressive! Congratulations to both Heather and Jen for this amazing start up! Good luck with it in the future I'm sure you'll bring some great parties to the county!
To find out more about what PomPom dream tents offer and to book a party go to you can also follow them on instagram @pompomdreamtents.
So inspirational!
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