Can design overcome the barrier of gender in business?
It’s not something that features often in design briefs but for Helen Brent, a woman starting a business in a male dominated sector, it was a
vital part of the requirement.
| Key Issues |
Results |
- A need to overcome the barrier of gender
- Portray extensive skills and experience in a start-up environment
- Distinguish key differences from competition
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- Greater acceptance and credibility within the market place
- Increased confidence to approach new clients
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Business: Helen Brent
Design Company: Hughes & Co.
Business Type: Horticulture
Employees: 1
Founded: 2004
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Business Background
If Helen’s business flourishes with the same effect as the many gardens she has cared for over the years, then her future looks decidedly rosy.
A Horticulturalist with over 17 year’s experience including 4 years at Kew Gardens and several more as Head Gardner at Eltham Palace, her credentials are without question but Helen still felt there was room for improvement and embarked upon
an MBA to expand her knowledge even further.
To help fund the course, she provided training to staff at Homebase and Wyvale Garden Centres on a part-time, freelance basis. Not only did she enjoy doing this, she also found that she had quite a knack for it, so much so that referrals were building up with a fair degree of pace.
Reasoning that as a freelancer, she was already halfway there, in the summer of 2004, she set up in business proper as “Helen Brent – Horticultural Consultant”. |