A sideline business making shopping totes was transformed for teacher Rachel Lindsell and her business partner, pharmacist Linda Chambers, when the pandemic hit in early 2020.
The pair quickly diversified from selling bespoke fabric bags to designing face coverings and watched their revenues rocket. .
Now, more than 4,000 masks later, Ms Lindsell, 53, is giving up the day job to devote her time to The Creative Bag Company.
Despite UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that restrictions, including the wearing of facemasks, will be lifted from Monday, the prospect of continued demand for products made in their workshop in the south-west English city of Wells look good.
“When the pandemic hit, we had no idea how it would impact on our business but we were lucky that we were both able to continue working and that online shopping surged,” Ms Lindsell told The National.
“When the government announced masks were going to be mandatory on public transport and in public areas, we decided we wanted to supply an alternative to disposable masks.
“So we looked into the possibility of supplying sustainable fitted face coverings instead. We felt if we had to wear them then they should at least make people feel happy!
“In our original business plan we had made a conscious decision to try to include as many organic and eco-friendly products in our range, so we asked our supplier about the possibility of making a face-covering version," she said.
“So we added them to our range and they have proven really popular. We just started it off as a bit of fun to cheer people up and it spiralled. Now we have our own business on Amazon.”
The friends originally met through their four children and decided five years ago to set up a side business on their kitchen tables, making handprinted bespoke cosmetic bags.
“Having begun at the kitchen table, we now work from a small studio,” Ms Lindsell said.
“Our business came about because we had difficulty finding that special unique gift for our children and their friends. So we started to make personalised gift bags for them and then as party bags and as gifts for friends' birthdays. The feedback was always amazing so we finally decided to take the plunge and sell our products to a wider audience."
On Monday, mask-wearing rules in some areas will be relaxed, but the partners will continue to provide them.
“We plan to keep selling them until people no longer want them,” Ms Lindsell said.
“We feel that the face coverings are just that – they provide a barrier.
“We would never suggest they will provide complete protection, but they are an additional precaution that people can wear if they so choose. The masks we use consist of two layers of single jersey fabric, with inner loop option for fit adjustment and are machine washable so can be reused.”
Despite lockdown easing, some businesses are still encouraging people to wear masks, including Transport for London in advice to people travelling on the Tube.
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
COPA DEL REY
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Meydan card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (PA) Group 1 US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,200m
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) Group 2 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat
Barbara J King, University of Chicago Press
WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Bawaal%20
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Third Test
Day 3, stumps
India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151
India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Manchester United v Barcelona, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
