REDUNDANCY can be devastating for many people. It can also be an exciting time of new opportunity, however, as Dawn-Marie Feeny and Elaine Norrie highlight so well.

The pair were working together in marketing for a big clothing company and had already come up with a concept and name for their business by the time the company that employed them went into administration.

They didn’t hang around and five years on DollyBird is a thriving business providing luxury, high-end wedding and occasion stationery to a wide customer base. And, having recently invested in a spacious new showroom, the pair are now able to offer a range of gifts too, such as personalised frames, word art and family trees.

It’s an exciting time of expansion for the friends and business partners from Glasgow.

“In business I think it’s important to ensure you can identify and exploit products and markets that are going to work for you,” says Ms Norrie, 35. “You need to look out for things that will have long-term potential to keep your business going.

“We’d originally focused on personalised gifts, which were really big at the time. But we realised this sector was seasonal, while luxury wedding invitations were something people were willing to spend a considerable amount of money on and we decided to focus on that. Weddings are bigger business and they happen all year round.”

DollyBird built up a loyal following and the pair showcased their design and quality at wedding fairs and online. But they’ve always known that face-to-face contact would be key to their business, hence the move to the new, bigger premises at Storage Vault in Cambuslang.

“Online presence has been important but for our customers it’s crucial that they can come to the showroom and spend time with us,” explains Ms Feeney, 29. “A lot of the time people book our services based on our personalities and how well they know we will work with them – it’s not just our products they focus on, it’s the whole experience.

“The wedding industry can be unpredictable and people like to be able to put a face to a name. Our customers are trusting us with such an important part of their big day.”

The duo say it was love at first sight when they were first shown the brand new space at Storage Vault, and are enjoying networking with the other businesses based there.

Over the next few years, the partners will focus on growing new markets across the UK and exploiting the opportunities afforded by the move.

As for what they enjoy most about running a business, both say it’s the social side.

“Many of our customers end up becoming friends as we have a relationship with them over months and years as they organise their big day. You get to know them and care for them,” says Ms Feeney.

Ms Norrie, agrees, adding that building the business together has been a learning experience.

“We trust each other and work really well together,” she says. "It’s all down to us and our brand and that can be a big responsibility, especially in the wedding industry which is really competitive.

“It’s also important to keep up with new trends in design and materials. But our marketing background helps us stay aware and move forward.

“Don’t be afraid to change products and markets. Look at what works and put your faith in that. And don’t take on more than you can afford or get too carried away too early. Allow yourself to grow gradually and invest along the way.”

According to Ms Feeney, knowing your business and personal strengths is also important.

“We’ve worked together for a long time and have a strong partnership,” she adds. “We have different skill sets, and have taught ourselves new skills as we’ve gone along. It all works so well together, which is what keeps us motivated.

“And we’re still great friends – Elaine was bridesmaid at my wedding.”

One can only imagine the invitations that day were impeccable.

Visit Storage Vault online at www.storagevault.com/offices/​