After working creatively and professionally in the art & design industries for over two decades, Lynn Harris decided she wanted to start her own creative business. In early 2023, she went back to her artistic roots as a sculptor and jeweller and founded Oolo London, handmaking original sculptural jewellery inspired by brutalism, from her home studio in Walthamstow, East London.

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Eager to grow and develop her business, Lynn realised she would benefit from professional advice and support to move the business forward. Her key goals were to build her brand identity and increase her online visibility to reach a wider audience.  She was also looking for guidance around the practical aspects of running her own business: how to prioritise and where best to concentrate her efforts in order to grow her brand effectively, whilst still having the time and headspace to design her new collections.  So, in September 2024 Lynn enrolled on the LONDON E-Business Support Programme with Enterprise Enfield.

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Digital Support

Monthly online meetings with her Digital Adviser, Nadya Quintanilla, enabled Lynn to receive advice and guidance on the most effective ways to develop her business. Clear and specific targets were set at each meeting, which helped Lynn to prioritise and stay focused. This empowered Lynn to build her collections with more confidence, with the knowledge that they are a good market fit. She was advised on how to clarify her brand identity, tell her brand story, and build an effective digital marketing strategy to ensure her brand gained more visibility and credibility.

 

In addition to receiving 121 advice, over the course of 6 months, Lynn also attended a number of the programme’s webinars to enhance her digital skills and implement various tasks which had been discussed in her online meetings with Nadya. She learnt how to make the best use of Instagram; ChatGPT and TikTok; as well as how to develop a digital marketing strategy and improve her SEO.   

 

Impact

Already Lynn has seen positive results from the support she has received - gaining consistent sales on her website and growing a strong core customer base with repeat purchases.  The business was excitingly featured in the September 2024 British Vogue magazine in a Jewellery Designer feature, and Oolo’s creations have been picked up by the online platform, Wolf & Badger.  Lynn has also received increasing numbers of requests from stylists to feature her work in print adverts.  She says:

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“Working with Nadya was as inspiring as it was effective. She gave me tailored advice specifically for my issues and the way I work and really helped me to prioritise. I have ADHD, so having someone sympathetically help cut out the noise was invaluable and invigorating. Having the webinars alongside allowed me to practically apply the ideas I discussed with Nadya.

 

“Growing your own business is lonely and frustrating at times and Nadya always gave me perspective. I really looked forward to our meetings because I had specific targets to achieve and always came away feeling refreshed, focused and armed with knowledge that helped me slay my sky-high list of tasks like a pro. Without the valuable support, I feel like it would have taken me a few years and so many more mistakes to get where I am today! “

 

Future Plans

Going forward, Lynn aims to build Oolo into a credible jewellery brand - growing financially and reputationally year on year and to become globally recognised.  Plans for 2025 include exhibiting her jewellery in galleries; creating pop-up events; working with more online retailers and rolling out her marketing strategy across Pinterest and YouTube.

 

Lynn will be expanding her offering into workshops and bespoke commissions and hopes to expand by hiring a jeweller to assist with making pieces and moving into a shared jewellery studio with access to more industrial equipment.

 

More about Oolo London:

Website: www.oolo.london

Instagram: @oolo_london  https://www.instagram.com/oolo_london/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oololondon

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About the LONDON E-Business Support Programme

The LONDON E-Business Support Programme is a fully-funded package of support including: 121 expert advice, guidance and webinars aimed at helping business owners in London make better use of digital technology to enhance their online presence; attract more customers; increase sales and improve the efficiency of their business operations.  The programme is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is delivered by Business for London.  For more details.