We caught up with Ali Gillum when she was a recent graduate, working in social media as an Account Manager. In this video, she explains how a sewing project turned into a business at university.

Unable to find a laptop case she liked, she set about making one, then more for friends, and fellow students… and so Macaw Designs was born – a company with a cause, which worked with a local charity, and stood for British manufacturing and female entrepreneurship.

She tells us how she got started, about the rewards and challenges of juggling a business with studying, how she coped with the inevitable knockbacks, how her experience helped with subsequent work, and just what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

About Ali

Ali studied Geography with Theology at Exeter University.
 

Whilst there, she founded her business Macaw Designs, making tech cases and accessories, and then worked in increasingly senior roles for social media agency, Born Social. Ali is also a wedding planner and is currently exploring work in company culture and events.
 

Ali Gillum – LinkedIn

Student Enterprise Support – Exeter University