A WOMAN who launched her dream business from her kitchen table has attracted clients as far as the glitz of Hollywood.
With a background in sales and the fitness industry, Katie Chedotal decided to change track back in 2015 and launched 'Found on a Curb' to follow her passion for design.
Printing and embroidering designs on a wide range of garments, the one-woman business launched on Golborne Street, just off Newton-le-Willows High Street, in 2019 after four years of building the business from home.
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Opening up next to a street full of independent businesses, this instantly allowed Katie to find a whole new range of clients and she is responsible for many of the staff uniforms seen along the high street.
From her small Golborne Street studio, Katie has also designed products for many independent businesses and sports teams, as well as for one of her footballing heroes, Liverpool's famous Zimbabwean goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.
More recently, Found on a Curb has further expanded its reach by attracting star-studded clients such as Warner Brothers studios, with Katie designing garments for stunt teams, rigger teams and covid teams on set.
However, while Katie may have attracted countless clients over the years, the business hasn't all been plain sailing for the 36-year-old.
Katie, who grew up in Newton, said: "I have had some great clients here and I probably don't shout out about them enough to be honest.
"Luckily, the business was not affected too much by covid because I was able to work by myself, but things have been difficult at times.
"I've had to adapt like other businesses have and put my prices up, and it can be challenging to manage everything when you're self employed.
"It can be a bit like champagne and razorblades, but to think I started this as a hobby from my kitchen table and now I'm eight years in and making garments for Warner Brothers is amazing."
While things can get lonely and stressful in the studio, Katie said that the relationship she has with other businesses along Newton's high street is what keeps her going.
She is also a member of the High Street Hive community group, which is a collaboration of business owners who oragnise events and encourage people to visit the high street.
She added: "People are bloody brilliant on the high street, and we have a really special collaboration with the other businesses.
"Although I'm self employed and on my own, it makes things a lot less lonely and I really feel a part of the community here."
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