Small businesses needing to draw inspiration should look no further than Wrendale Designs.
The Melton Ross publisher, started by mother-of-three Hannah Dale barely two-and-a-half years ago, has growing markets across the world.
Her animal and bird designs, which began life as watercolours and were quickly transferred to greetings cards, can now also be found on a range of exclusive gift and kitchenware.
The designs have also been licensed to Portmeirion who have produced a best-selling range of Royal Worcester mugs as well as other ceramics, placemats, coasters and textiles.
Wrendale exports to France, Norway and Australia amongst others and has just opened a warehouse in Texas, from where the range is being distributed across the United States.
To add to a growing list of accolades, Wrendale has been nominated for anlther two prestigious industry awards.
Throughout its growth from humble beginnings, Hannah and her husband Jack, who now runs the business, have relied on RNS Chartered Accountants.
“We’ve always been very happy with the service that partner Alex Douglas provides,” said Hannah.
“We’re often phoning him with questions and have always been very confident in the support and advice he gives.
Even by its standards, 2014 has been quite a year.
Their country-style tinware was launched at London’s Earls Court in January. The highly-collectable designs, featuring ducks, hens and other animals, have been taken from the firm’s popular greeting cards.
The firm’s products continue to sell well through National Trust and other outlets, as well as online, and the relationship with Portmeirion grows stronger.
A new departure has seen a book published called The Country Set, designed for the coffee table with Hannah’s illustrations accompanied by animal and bird facts.
As if that was not enough, she’s agreed a global deal to write and illustrate a new children’s book.
Hannah said: “We’re enjoying the growth of the business, though it has not been without its challenges.
“We could not have imagined we would be in this position two years ago.”
Hannah, a former stockbroker, grew up in Scawby and went to Caistor Grammar School, before doing a degree in Zoology at Cambridge.
She worked in London before returning to Lincolnshire in 2008 to get married.
She sold watercolours to friends, family and through local stores until one owner suggested she create greeting cards.
Alex congratulated Hannah and Jack on their “formidable success”.
“They’re an inspiration to small businesses everywhere,” he said. “It demonstrates what can happen when you have a terrific idea that finds a marketplace.
“They deserve their success, putting in a huge amount of effort into the business and balancing that with the needs of a young family.
“It’s a wonderful story and I’m delighted to have played a small supporting role.”