Small Business Profile: The Trinket Box

Jo Ward launched The Trinket Box in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire in 2006

On 22 February 2005 Jo Ward, 26, took two phone calls that she will never forget. First, the police called to say that her lorry-driver husband Gary had been involved in a serious accident and had been taken to hospital. Next, the hospital called to say that she should get there immediately in order to see him before surgery. Five months pregnant and with toddler Katie in hand, Jo dashed to the hospital. Thankfully, Gary survived eight hours of surgery to repair two broken arms, a crushed right leg, a broken left foot and a head injury. "The next few months became a blur," says Jo, "and then our son Jonathan was born."

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Caring for her husband and two small children meant that Jo had no time to go out to work, and child care was prohibitively expensive. And so Jo searched for money-making ideas that she could undertake from home. A chance finding on the internet of jewellery, that she could buy and sell, sparked off an idea. "I realised that the jewellery was constructed using the same wiring skills I had learned as a florist," says Jo. "I gambled the next month's food budget on some beads and other components and made my first jewellery." It paid off - friends and family flooded her with orders.

Jo believed that she had the makings of a new business. But she was realistic enough to recognise that she needed help to develop her idea. She found that help from Sue Nattrass of Nottinghamshire Business Venture, an independent local enterprise agency. And she also found support from Laura-Jane Franklin, women's enterprise co-ordinator for the East Midlands Development Agency who views Jo's achievement as a regional success story. "It has been a pleasure to support her business and observe her success," says Laura-Jane (who also admits to being a regular client).

Jo now focuses on bespoke wedding jewellery including tiaras that incorporate Swarovski crystal, fresh-water pearls and semi-precious gemstones able to match any bride's colour scheme. Satisfied customers help to promote her work although she regularly exhibits at wedding fairs around the country. Her success was rewarded in 2006 when The Trinket Box was awarded the Nottinghamshire Spirit of Enterprise Award for Innovation. Jo's achievement has been an inspiration to others including those close to home - husband Gary is now doing market research prior to starting his own business venture.

www.the-trinketbox.co.uk; 07877 798955