A balanced life! Greatest achievement/s: Not giving up on my dream to be my own boss.

K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Stupid) principle. It really works!

To have my own premises for Elves at Work that will comprise sewing services, a school and shop.

After studying Interior Decorating at the College of Cape Town and completing various part time courses, Abigail Florence (Abby) worked as an Interior Decorator/Project Manager for OKHA Interiors, a division of Stephan Antoni, for two years. During this period Abby saw a gap and started making scatter cushions and throws for the interior decorating industry on a part time basis. She called her new venture “Elves at Work”. She then moved on to freelance as a Business Development Manager for Interactive Africa, assisting with various projects including the successful completion of three Design Indaba Expos. When Abby saw an advertisement for applications to the Raymond Ackerman Academy of Entrepreneurship she decided the course was what she needed to take her business to the next level. She parted with Interactive Africa after two and a half years. Six months later Abby graduated from the Academy and was determined to combine her new knowledge with her experience to grow her business full time. The Shanduka Black Umbrellas incubation programme has provided her with the perfect platform for her business’ growth and development.

“Elves at Work” uses a network of experienced self-employed and previously unemployed seamstresses from the struggling textile industry, to make custom made soft furnishing items for the interior decorating and design industry. The company has expanded into training and runs basic sewing workshops on a monthly basis. The goal is to grow the workshops into a fully-fledged sewing and craft school.

Allow yourself to dream big! Do a little every day to grow your passion. Surround yourself with like-minded people. Keep yourself informed and educated. Never stop learning. Promote your ideas every chance you get. Never give up – just keep on keeping on. Remember that where your energy flows, things grow - so invest your time and energy into your ideas if you want them to prosper. And don’t forget to have fun doing it.

079 036 4346 or 021 425 8416 or info@elvesatwork.co.za
http://www.elvesatwork.co.za/