Skills for Work students launch the Happy Colouring Company
A group of young entrepreneurs are hoping to cash in on the latest trend – adult colouring books.
The 15 Skills for Work students at National Star College have launched the Happy Colouring Company.
They realised that they may be on to a winner when they sold 20 of their 25 copies in just a few hours at a Gloucestershire Young Enterprise trade show.
Now they are gearing up for production and ready to launch the book which features the work of artists at National Star – and the intricate drawing for people to colour in.
The idea was the brainchild of 19-year-old Ashleigh Burlinson, from Stonehouse and MD of the Happy Colouring Company.
‘I find colouring relaxing. When I am stressed I colour and it seems to help,’ said Ashleigh.
‘So when we thought about ideas for the business I suggested we do our own colouring book.
‘We only made 25 books for the Young Enterprise show because we never thought they would sell. We were amazed and it feels really good that we have made a good product and one that will sell.’
The team came second in the Dragon’s Den competition at the recent Young Enterprise Trade Show at Pittville Pump Room. They go to the county finals next month.
For Ashleigh it is proof of how much her confidence and skills have developed since joining the Skills for Work programme.
Bullied at mainstream school Ashleigh said she was so shy that she wouldn’t even go to the shop on her own.
‘When I started at National Star I didn’t speak. I wouldn’t even go to a shop by myself or if I went to the doctors I always left it to my mum and dad to talk.’
‘Now I am one who goes to the shops and talk for my sisters because they are the shy ones. I’ve changed a lot since coming to National Star and my confidence has grown loads.’
‘At National Star you feel like you can be yourself because no one judges you and it is all about what you can do.’
The colouring books which feature art by National Star students are printed by students at our social enterprise company StarPrint.
The colouring books, which sell for £5, can be ordered from our online shop at www.starshop.org.uk and they are also available at the National Star shop on our Ullenwood campus.
