IT'S a change of pace that took some getting used to but Laura Lambert is really glad she made the move!

The 30-year-old mother-of-two enjoyed a hectic career as a project manager working for drinks brand Bacardi until moving to Huddersfield because of her husband Richard's job.

She worked unhappily, she admits as a secretary with the NHS for almost four years before going on maternity leave and deciding that she wouldnt be coming back!

Now she has discovered how to put her creative talents to good use running her own business, Small & Gifted, making and supplying personalised wooden and fabric products for children and the home. The handmade items include door plaques, wall letters, photo frames, clocks and items for weddings, christenings and other special occasions.

"The NHS job was only a stop-gap," says Laura. "I suppose it was a bit of a backward step after my previous job and I certainly didn't like working in the public sector.

"When I went on maternity leave I didn't want to come back because I wasnt enjoying it."

Initially, she took up a franchise opportunity providing 3D castings of childrens feet and hands as a keepsake for parents.

But she says: "It was a lot of work for very little money. I was living and breathing it 24-7, so I cut my losses and looked for something else.

"We know several people with unusual names, who were saying how difficult it was to buy personalised gifts. I thought: "I could do this." I would be working for myself from home and I could work around my children.

"I started researching suppliers online. I knew what I wanted to make, but it was a case of finding the materials.

"I set up on Facebook, selling to my friends and within a couple of weeks it was obvious it was going to be successful."

Since its launch in March last year, the business has trebled its turnover and now employs two part-time staff to help keep up with the orders an average of 400 are sent out each month.

Says Laura: "I've always been artistic, although I'm no good at drawing! I used to do cross-stitching and making my own cards. As a child, I was always making things."

Laura's working day starts at 9am after she has dropped off oldest son Jacob at the nursery and continues until 3pm when she goes to collect him.

The evenings involve dealing with email and orders.

Weekends are strictly family time to be spent with husband Richard, who is the professional at nearby Crosland Heath Golf Club, and the boys not forgetting family cat, Sinbad.

"I have always said that the business shouldnt be to the detriment of the children," says Laura.

Laura works in a small studio amid paint pots and artists' materials.

"You also have to very disciplined working from home," she says. "I dont do any housework during working hours although I'll play some music when I'm working on my own. It's quite therapeutic."

Working at the family's Linthwaite home has taken some getting used to, Laura admits. "I worked for a full marketing agency managing the Bacardi account," she says. "I worked on things like the Bacardi Christmas drive, setting up displays in supermarkets and taking charge of temporary staff recruitment for promotions. I was part of a team working with a lot of other people.

"When I set up Small & Gifted in March last year I worked on my own for a long time. I found it quite lonely and it was difficult to adapt, but now I have two staff. We get the work done, but we also have a giggle.

Laura has plans to develop the business by selling her items in local independent gift shops as well as expanding online sales, but she adds: "I need to keep it under control.

"If you get too big the danger is that customer service suffers. I don't want to lose the personal touch.

"A lot of the reason my customers buy from me is because they know me," she says. "They can ring me or call round to see what I'm doing. People know I am a working mum and they can relate to that."

Facebook has proved a great way to do business. Customers use it to keep in touch with Laura and other online friends not just about their orders, but to share gossip, family news and pictures.

Says Laura: "It's fabulous making money and being your own boss, but a work-life balance is hard to maintain."

She says: "Our lead time for orders is three weeks. I want to reduce that, but it is difficult.

"In a corporate environment, there is always someone to pick up the slack.

"Customer service is important, so we always keep customers informed about progress.

"Christmas and Mothers Day are the busiest times.

"Last year, demand for Christmas gifts took us completely by surprise. We had between 1,200 and 1,500 orders. This year, we will shut our Christmas order book in November."

Laura was born in Grimsby before moving to Lincolnshire. "I didnt want to go to university," she says. "I didnt know what I wanted to do when I was at school. I aced all my grades at A-level, but university was not for me."

Now she thinks it would be difficult to return to her former career. "If I wanted to go back to project management, I would have to have a degree," she says.

"But people without degrees are often better candidates because they have experience. At 18, I was already working and getting that experience. Now I would have to be at university."

She adds: "I do sometimes miss the structure of working in an office but I don't miss the office politics. I love having my own business."