Sutterton woman launches Made by Monarchs handcrafts business

A mother-of-two from Sutterton has turned a hobby into a business opportunity by creating her own range of hand-made gifts and clothing.

Donna Kent (33), whose Made by Monarchs business now has customers across Britain, gave up her customer service job of nearly ten years to make money herself, mainly through online sales.

The seed for the business, named after the road in Sutterton where she lives with fiancee David Clare, son Teddy (five) and daughter Willow (one), was sown when Donna started making ear protectors for NHS staff at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, and Peterborough City Hospital during lockdown.

Donna, originally from Holbeach and a former Spalding High School student, said: "I started my craft hobby when I was on maternity leave from my job at NFU Mutual in Spalding.

"Originally, I was making things for my wedding in August but COVID-19 happened and I had to cancel the wedding.

"So I started making ear protectors for NHS staff in Boston where I have friends who work at Pilgrim Hospital and Peterborough as that's where I had my children.

"I made about 200 ear protectors at the start of COVID-19 and then things died down until a lot of people who were coming to my house started commenting on the house sign that I'd made.

"They were saying how nice it was and that made me think: 'Maybe I could expand and make other products'.

"When other people comment and compliment you on things, it makes you want to continue with the journey."

Donna, who left NFU Mutual in September, has expanded her Made by Monarchs range to at least 50 items, including door signs, hangers, decorations, kitchenware and clothing.

"I really enjoyed my job as a client advisor, then team leader, and it was like a family to me because I'd got on so well with all of the clients.

"I'd been there for nearly a decade so it was difficult decision to leave and I cried when I handed in my notice.

"But the business has taken off really well and I can put the customer service skills I learned at NFU Mutual into my own business."

Work on launching the website for her new business has been combined with looking after her two children.

But Donna is already thinking of the potential of expanding Made by Monarchs and employing people from the south Lincolnshire area.

"I've always enjoyed crafting but never really found the time for it until I was on maternity leave and making things to keep me busy," Donna said.

"During the day, I'd have the kids to look after but in the evenings, I could make more of my time.

"The ear protectors were a way of playing my part when COVID-19 happened because I couldn't go anywhere with having two small children.

"But because Made for Monarchs was becoming so successful, it made more sense for me to keep working on my business.

"My fiancee loves it and he's really proud that I'm continuing to develop new items, while keeping up with a lot of special requests that I get as well.

"I really want to expand the items we have available and get more workspace, if the demand is there, which is when I'll look to employ people from the area."