Sophie Lefevre Photography
Emily Cole really doesn’t need an intro, as I reckon that you will have seen her gorgeous illustrations online (or maybe in real life!) more than once! Emily is part of my Small & Supercharged Mastermind group and is an absolute superstar. Find out more about her here…
Name: Emily
Business name: Emily Cole Illustrations
Whereabouts do you live? Lincolnshire, UK
In 10 words, tell us what your business does/sells/makes: I draw Cartoon Ponies doing silly things.
Tell us why you started your business: I was supposed to be an Architect but discovered I was far more interested in drawing on my lecture notes than I was reading or listening to them. I used to keep them a secret but I started to draw my friends and one thing lead to another – it is now my full-time job.
What’s your favourite event or show? I love Burghley Horse Trials and Olympia.
Tell us about your four legged team members: I have a Kitten, (who’s pretty much a Cat now,) called Sid. He is chaos personified but I love him to bits. I am not sure if it is possible to cross-breed a Cat with a Tornado but he would be the result. He comes with me to the office most days.
What’s your greatest achievement/pinch me moment in your business so far?
I had a moment last year when I suddenly realised that I was sat in a proper office and had two people packing parcels for me while I drew. It caught me off guard as I am always in half denial that I actually run my own business. It was an ‘Oh my goodness I am an actual Business person and how on earth have Cartoon Ponies got me here’ moment
Care to share a funny equestrian/business story?
Have you ever had to wait for the Dressage arena to be rebuilt before starting your test as you demolished the boards trying to ride around the edge? I have. Definitely not the way to make a great first impression to the judge.
Best bit of business advice you’ve been given: Realise that you are still your own person separate to your business. I own the business – not the other way around.
Favourite equestrian brands:
I’m going for artists…
Clare Brownlow.
Sophie Lefevre Photography who I have had the pleasure of working with a few times now.
Darren Woodhead
Tony O Connor
I mean the list could go on and on….. and on. I love Art.
One thing we might not know about you? My surname isn’t actually Cole! (Cole was my maiden name.) I think a few people are also surprised that I don’t actually have my own Horse.
If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would they be and why?
Mary Berry, Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French
What is your superpower?
Overthinking. I am able to overthink anything.
What’s your pet hate? When people don’t want pudding after their Main!
Why did you join Small & Supercharged Mastermind?
Running a business is lonely so it was a brilliant opportunity to meet other small businesses.
What’s the best thing about the group
The moral support and knowledge within the group is invaluable. They also convinced me it was perfectly reasonable to buy a Sequin wall for my Trade Stand. If that isn’t support, I don’t know what is.
Tell us all the places where we can find you
Facebook – Emily Cole Illustrations
Instagram – @emilycoleillustrations
