The Juggling Act

The Juggling Act: From Meeting Centre Manager to Country Creative Entrepreneur

Life has a funny way of keeping you on your toes — and I seem to be living proof.

By day, I’m the manager at Leominster Meeting Centre, where we work with people living with mild to moderate dementia, supporting them through social and cognitive activities. It’s a role I love deeply; the people, the laughter, the projects (yes, even the paperwork) all make it worthwhile.

By night — and often early mornings, lunch breaks, and weekends — I’m pouring my heart into my up-and-coming business, Lugg Country & Co. What started as a creative outlet using tweed, pheasant feathers, and spent cartridges has blossomed into a family affair. Everyone gets stuck in — from our grandkids helping to pack orders to our parents lending their wisdom (and occasionally their tea-making skills).

This year has been particularly exciting as we’ve been nominated for the Hereford Creative Business of the Year Award. Just seeing our name in that list felt like a victory in itself. It’s validation that the long hours, the craft fairs, the late-night stock checks, and the mad dashes to post office counters have all been worth it.

But here’s the reality: running a small creative business alongside full-time work is a bit like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle… uphill. There’s the constant push to keep up with orders from recent shows, stock for the shops, and the daunting task of finally getting our website up and running. I’m learning that website design is a whole other skill set — one that demands patience, persistence, and a steady supply of tea and biscuits.

And yet, I wouldn’t change it for the world. The joy of seeing our handmade pieces find new homes, the pride of working alongside my family, and the thrill of watching Lugg Country & Co grow — these moments make the juggling act worth it.

So if you see me out and about, looking slightly windswept with a notebook in one hand and a feather in the other, just know I’m probably heading from a meeting about dementia-friendly activities straight into a conversation about cartridge art. It’s a busy life, but it’s a beautiful one.

Here’s to balancing dreams, family, and the work we love — even if the circus never stops.