Case studies : Enterprise advisor: Sarah Lee

Sarah Lee graduated with a BSc in Textile Design and Business Management at the University of Manchester in 2006. She now works as an enterprise advisor for Outset Herts, an organisation that helps unemployed people gain the skills and confidence to start their own businesses.

Sarah also studied at the Hong Kong Institute of Fashion and Textiles and obtained a Masters degree in Textile Design from Chelsea College Art & Design in 2007. As well as working as an enterprise advisor, she is currently the representative for Enterprising Women in Hertfordshire and has her own business, Sustainable Enterprises.

After university, I knew that I wanted to use my work to improve the lives of people and communities. I gained experience through internships at The Fairtrade Foundation and People Tree (an ethical fashion retailer), which taught me a lot about fair trade and ethical fashion. I would really recommend work experience for students as it allows you to gain confidence, contacts and focus your career path. After my work experience I wanted to gain first-hand experience working with farmers and producer groups in developing countries. I found a job advert on the internet for a textile designer position in India with a UK charity called Skillshare International, applied and was offered the job.

I spent two years working for Skillshare in both India and Nepal which was a life-changing experience. I had travelled and lived abroad before but this time I was really immersed in grassroots work and I learnt so much about myself, humanity and my work by living and working within such inspiring communities. My work was really varied and I had to think on my feet a lot. I worked in different communities all over India and Nepal, all of which had the most amazing traditional craft skills. My job was to help them develop those skills and form community-run businesses and cooperatives.
 
I returned to England in May 2010 and attended a free business start-up training programme at The Peterborough Women’s Enterprise Centre, which helped me re-evaluate my skills, experience and career. I found the training so inspiring and beneficial that when I was offered a position to join their new project, Outset Herts, I jumped at the chance. 

My job is really varied and each day is different but most of my time is spent visiting and networking with various community organisations and helping clients to develop confidence and ideas to take forwards into self-employment or a new business. 

My design background is still relevant, particularly as lots of my clients are in the process of turning their craft hobbies into business. I am also able to advise them on how to make their business more ethical and 'green'. In my spare time my own business Sustainable Enterprises keeps me busy with lecturing and consultancy work on ethical fashion and social enterprises.

My career has developed organically with one thing leading to another. I have always dreamt of travelling and using my skills and knowledge to help others fulfil their potential. I enjoy engaging with people from all different backgrounds and cultures and intend to become more involved in social enterprise and ethical fashion projects in the future.

My advice to other students and graduates is to remain open minded and let life take you on a journey. You never know where you will end up but that's part of the fun.