PART OF THE WOMEN OF VISION SERIES WITH A2BWITHAB

My Entrepreneurial Story

Part of the women of vision series with A2BwithAB

An interview with Karen Yeates
Founder and Owner of Potfolio
Beautifully styled Planting pots with internal storage

Here at #A2BwithAB, we want to connect with our readers in a way we can get your story across to the world, opening up new experiences, supporting one another and helping you grow individually as well as professionally.

We believe we are all strong, more powerful and successful when we lift, support and encourage each other in this world, regardless of your background or profession. This is why we have put together a readers column where we interview influential global entrepreneurs who we feel will inspire you. We hope you enjoy.

Karen Yeates is the creative mind behind Potfolio. Karen saw a need for her business when she was looking for a place to store her garden accessories and realising there was very little space she embarked upon creating her first draft for her planters and Potfolio was born. KAREN YEATES, FOUNDER AND CREATOR OF POTFOLIO.CO.UK

Karen, UK born lives in Sussex in the U.K and her planters for Potfolio are British manufactured and sold throughout the U.K and internationally.

Potfolio pots are designed with small spaces in mind, be it an apartment, a shop, a storefront or a terrace/patio area, you name it, the places are limitless. Potfolio also offers a planter design (of various sizes) with a bin solution or if you have an issue with cigarette
butt littering, she has a solution for that as well.

Potfolio pots are perfect for keeping garden hand tools inside and your compost as well. Whatever you decided to store inside of them, you can guarantee a designer look and a top quality product. You can have various designs and personalise them or have your
company log printed on the pots.

Here is Karen’s story…

How did you first come across the idea of creating Potfolio?
“I’ve never liked garden sheds, they can be quite intrusive I find. I first saw Barbara Hepworth’s sculpture, Pelagos at the Tate in St Ives. I instantly fell in love with it and thought, wouldn’t this be really great if it was beautiful and functional. Art as storage. Of course copyright would be an issue and so the idea for Potfolio was born. A planter with storage for small spaces or alternatively a planter, that is also a waste/recycling container.”

What made you decide to have the Potfolio pots British made?
“I believe in providing a value for money product and having Potfolio manufactured here in Britain means I can maintain a keen input on quality control and at the same time support a like-minded SME business.”

What is your favourite part of running a business like Potfolio?
“Creating something from scratch, from the design stage through to the manufacturing, it has given me a great sense of achievement and it continues to be such an exciting time for me. It has been a great roller coaster coming out with designs and the manufacturing
process and the complete unbiased positive responsive I have had from the general public through the highs and lows has really made this journey worthwhile.”

Where would you want to take Potfolio eventually?
“The dream is to see Potfolio in every major city in the world…so I guess eventually exporting is the aim”

What’s your sense of ‘home’? And how do you feel Potfolio pots fit within this for someone?
“A comfortable yet stylised space is important for me but it must also be a restful place. A place of beautiful design but one that also works for my environment. I believe I have created this through Potfolio’s designs. Potfolio provides a stylish hidden storage in the home or outside as well as within the office space without compromising the image and feel of the environment someone is looking to achieve. Plants are also great for our wellbeing. I feel Potfolio pots are something that can fit into everyone’s living and working
space.

As a woman in Business what has been your biggest challenge and success?
“Biggest challenges, for me, have been my nearest and dearest being fearful for me….creating a product, starting a business is a risk”

What advice would you give to first-time Entrepreneurs?
“Never give up on something you believe in no matter how long it takes, consistency is one of the keys to success

What has been the most helpful thing in starting Potfolio at the beginning?
“Support and encouragement from like-minded friends and entrepreneurs is a priceless asset, seek out and stick with people that have positive energy”

Share anything else about your Potfolio that you’d like us to hear!
“I am very excited to announce that Portolio will be launching a new range of designs in 2019 and I am looking forward to sharing those with everyone soon.

“Thank you Karen, We wish you every success in your venture and we hope to speak with you again”

You can find Potfolio here.

AN EXAMPLE OF POTFOLIO POTS SHOWING HOW IT CAN HIDE AWAY YOUR BIN

You can email Karen directly by sending her an email to info@potfolio.co.uk

AN EXAMPLE OF POTFOLIO PLANTER

If you would like to be featured on our next “My Entrepreneurial Story, an interview with as part of The women of Vision series with A2BwithAB…” send us a message and tell us all about your experience.

Don’t forget to include a photograph of yourself and three photos of your business or products and information about your services with links to your website and social media so we can help you connect with the world. We will then contact you directly.

Andria B

AN EXAMPLE OF POTFOLIO PLANTER WITH STORAGE