Member Spotlight: Laura Butler, Ringlit

Name: Laura Butler

Where do you live? Hyde Park, Leeds

What is your business? Ringlit sells unique Ladies clothing, also offering bespoke items, commissioned on request. Each piece made and sold under the Ringlit label is original and has a fashionable edge. Ringlit is suitable for any age and size, giving women the right to feel liberated and feminine, through wearing fresh and affordable clothing.

What influenced you to set up this business?
A variety of different things have lead me to the stage I am at currently. Having an interest in business and art & design from being a teenager, taking A-levels in business & art was possibly the initial catalyst. Since then I have studied further taking a degree in Fashion/clothing, cornering my artistic skills into garment design & manufacture.
Along the way I have been influenced and encouraged by others who have experienced running their own business. This has helped me discover what I ultimately need and want to do and therefore motivate me to continue striving for my dream.

What challenges/goals are you currently facing?
The main challenge is my financial situation, as for the first time in 3 years I do not have the security of a salary.
Keeping organised and efficient in terms of the order of doing things is also appearing to be quite challenging. It does take a lot of thought and consideration to ensure nothing is missed out, overlooked or finished too late.

Your greatest moment:
Seeing my final show collection on the catwalk when finishing university. The final show was held at The Royal Armeries.

Your worst moment:
Starting on the ladder. Working as a junior garment technician, going through the process of having to prove to management that I wasn’t the imbecile.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
To get experience in the Industry before proceeding into business and as much as possible.

And the worst?
To stay in a job as its more secure.

What is one of your special talents?
Finding materials and having an eye for how to construct colours, fabrics & prints together.

What is your definition of success?
Going from failure to failure and never loosing enthusiasm.

What is your pet hate?
People that judge to easily without even speaking to the individuals involved.
Following the crowd and not standing by your morals.

If you could have dinner with two people (living or not) who would they be?
River Pheonix and Kurt Cobain, they both died when I was a teenager.