A hobby, creating bespoke soft furnishings for young children, has turned into a full-time interior design business for a young entrepreneur from Balmullo. Terian Tilston stepped in to the world of entrepreneurs with the launch of The Little Brown Bear in 2012, making soft furnishings. At the time, she was working full-time as a trainee solicitor and this was an outlet to channel her creativity. Fast forward seven years, and Terian is the creative mastermind behind Terian Tilston Interior Design, which offers a range of interior design packages for all needs and budgets from remote design to complete project management for larger works. Terian’s natural ability and creative flair shone from a young age, being encouraged by her primary five teacher to embrace this passion, even helping with classroom displays. The Little Brown Bear was Terian’s first test of entrepreneurial life, and it was during the business’ re-launch in 2016 that she contacted Business Gateway Fife. Terian explains:“I was lacking confidence and needed to bounce my ideas off someone with experience and expertise, so I contacted Marissa Yassen at Business Gateway Fife. This was a turning point in my life. Marissa was extremely enthusiastic and encouraging about me, my brand and my products and gave me tips on the areas I wasn’t so confident in and put me in contact with colleagues who could help me in other areas. “Ahead of the launch of the interior design business, I worked closely with Business Gateway Fife to help identify weak areas, strengths and work through my ideas. Liaising with Marissa was a game changer.” The design business has also received funding via Business Gateway Fife to help purchase vital software and access to courses. Terian added: “Business Gateway Fife is a fantastic service and I would encourage anyone thinking about setting up a business, or who wants to grow their business, to get in touch with them. I have also attended numerous free courses on marketing, social media for business as well as accounting. This has, without question, helped to build my knowledge and confidence as a business owner, but it has also allowed me to make connections with other local business owners.” Terian has big plans for her businesses. Already she is looking to outsource some of the manufacturing of the soft furnishings, expand into the commercial design market and open her own Happy Space design studio.
