After co-founding lingerie company Myla, Charlotte Semler now runs her own company Charlotte and Co (www.charlotteandco.co.uk), selling loungewear, nightwear and lingerie.
We caught up with her to talk inspiration and her experiences of mentoring ahead of our 2011 campaign.
What fired your ambition to start your own business?
I wanted to create a different brand with a new proposition to anything that was out there. There had never been a brand like Myla before, looking at sex in a classy way. Raising money was a major obstacle for us. Dealing with sex-related merchandise made it difficult to convince potential investors to come on board. It was much easier second time around!
MEET THE REST OF THE 2011 MENTORS HERE
What’s the best careers advice that you’ve been given?
Try and try again. There’s no substitute for hard work, but you also need a little bit of luck. When things start to go wrong, pick yourself up and start again.
What makes a good mentor?
Someone who makes you believe you can do it. A mentor needs to be able to give practical and constructive advice, as an entrepreneur.
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OR JOIN THE CAMPAIGN AND BECOME A MARIE CLAIRE MENTOR, HERE
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Charlotte Semler - 2011 Mentor
By Jane McFarland - Tuesday 4 January 2011
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