Role: Interior Stylest & Owner/Director
Company: Natural Calico
Track Record: “I think for a small business like this, especially with the blog element, you have to be passionate about it all.
Readers will see straight through anything that seems phoney,” says Marie.
What does your job entail?
As an online shop selling, first and foremost, accessories and furniture for the home a big part of my job is sourcing unique products.
Also because we do all our own photography, we spend a lot of time styling and photographing the product in home settings so that potential buyers can actually visualise the items in context.
After that, each product needs to be described in detail, and once that’s all done, it’s time to upload the item to the site.
In addition to the shop, I’ve also included a ‘Look Book’ and a blog.
I’ve become quite hooked on a few great lifestyle blogs, so rather than bombarding people with emails, I really like keeping our name out there by means of a chatty and enjoyable blog that folk can enjoy over a cup of coffee.
Is it 9-5?
Definitely not! Wearing my other hat as an interior stylist, I still work on major photoshoots for magazines and hotels — so I often end up working on my website, Natural Calico, on weekends and evenings.
That said, I love having the freedom to occasionally say: ‘I’m going to drive to the beach today and enjoy a cone.’
How did you get into this line of work?
After studying interior design I launched my own interior styling business — Creative Rooms.
That was all going well, when interior photographer Ashley Morrison approached me about working as a stylist with him on magazine shoots.
That was over 10 years ago — we became very busy and I found I enjoyed that work so much, I ended up parking my own business to concentrate on that.
Outline your career to date?
I was actually in the civil service for many years — but always had a hankering to work in a creative field.
Tell us about your qualifications/training.
I did a correspondence course in interior design and while it was useful up to a point, the best training for me was simply getting out there and getting stuck into projects.
Early on, I just helped out friends and family.
What qualities are required for your job — personal and professional?
I think for a small business like this, especially with the blog element, you have to be passionate about it all.
Readers will see straight through anything that seems phoney.
What are the biggest challenges and rewards of your work?
When I work on Natural Calico my biggest challenge is identifying a style that I’m happy with and building the brand around that.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
My favourite evening is to meet up with a few good friends over a nice meal and bottle of plonk.
I also adore travel and I enjoy a good book.
Who has inspired you most in your life?
Not sure… perhaps it was my mother, who was a wonderful character. Possibly she had creative aspirations for me when she marched me off to ballet classes (which I loved) and piano lessons (which I hated)…