Lucy Ferguson founded the East London Parasol Company in 2015, having spent her early career training as a chef, working at Neal’s Yard Dairy, working in the House of Commons and finally moving to India to write a children’s book…before her love affair with Indian fabrics, colours, creativity and spirit led her to create the East London Parasol company. Having witnessed the temple umbrellas used in Hindu temple celebrations in Kerala, Lucy wondered why garden parasols were predominantly green, white and boring…and thus her use of vibrant fuchsias, turquoise, electric blue and metallic shades in all her parasols.
Now in her 4th year of trading, Lucy is excited that the East London Parasol company is reaching new heights with global expansion and a number of top buyers in the pipeline for summer/autumn 2019.
Tania Adir founded one of London’s leading luxury boutique co-working spaces, Uncommon. Following a career in property development she moved into the world of interior design and is now the sole designer for all their spaces (Fulham, Borough, Highbury & Islington and as of the 1st May, their new 8 floor flagship space on Liverpool Street).
Uncommon has been created to primarily help increase levels of productivity in a considered and thoughtful environment to boost creativity, making it the perfect place for freelancers, entrepreneurs, start-ups and anyone who wants to experience a fresh, natural and encouraging approach to day to day work life.
It took Tania (aged 31) less than five years of working in finance and law to discover that the corporate life wasn’t for her. “Developing her first property was the turning point,” says Tania. “We realised that I can’t sit in an office, I’m more entrepreneurial.”
Her and her husband set up development firm G&T London in 2010, aged 23 and 24, and began renovating single high-value flats in central locations. In 2014, their astounding refurbishment of a Georgian building, 58 Myddelton Square, sold in excess of £5m; at the time the most expensive single house ever sold in Islington.
Tania was never daunted by being a young developer in a competitive market, though admit she does have battle scars. People see your age and wonder what you know about life. Property isn’t a traditionally young field in the way technology is and she also had to tackle the issue of being female in a male-dominated industry.