A young Teesside entrepreneur who battled anxiety and depression to launch her own watch business with just £80 and a laptop is expanding after securing investment.
Teri Ellington, 23, from Stockton, struggled with agoraphobia in her late teens, which left her struggling to leave the house.
After learning coping mechanisms and undergoing counselling, she focused her energy on creating her own business venture, inspired by her love of watches – and set up Ellington Timepiece from her bedroom, with little more than a computer and £80 in cash.
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She moved into a converted garage as her business grew, and her first collection of 300 unisex watches – called the Sheba Collection, after her German Shepherd therapy dog Sheba, who helped her through her depression – swiftly sold out through an online store, in House of Fraser and in Middlesbrough-based Hillier’s Independent Jewellers.
After speaking openly about her struggles with anxiety and agoraphobia, her range of inspirational bracelets bearing “messages of hope” – which she modelled herself to save money - were instant hits.
Three years on, thanks to an angel investor, Ms Ellington has moved Ellington Timepiece into new premises in Stockton and is taking on two members of staff, to help drive forward ambitious plans to grow her collections and expand the business.
The investment will also allow her to expand her watch collections and to buy glass tower display units to showcase her designer watches in shops.
Ms Ellington is also traveling to a trade show in Switzerland in May this year.
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North East law firm for businesses Muckle LLP acted on behalf of the angel investor.
Her latest range of premium watches, the 600-strong stainless-steel Amare Collection, is named after the Latin word for love, and her business continues to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues.
She said: “I’m so excited for the future of my business.
“This investment has enabled me to move into my own office for Ellington Timepiece, with more space for stock and room for four people. I’m also taking on a PA and employing someone with experience in the watch industry to help keep the momentum going.
“My customers are based mainly in the 海角视频, but my brand is really getting traction and I’m now getting enquiries and orders from Europe and America.
“To think when I was 16 that I was struggling to leave the house, and now I’m running my own business created around my love of watches and taking it to the next level.
“I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved so far, and I want to be able to inspire people and help them to chase their dreams and go for their goals.”