International Women's Day - Entrepreneurism

From helping in her parents antique shop as a teenager, to becoming a qualified nursery nurse Kate Dawson's experience throughout her life has enabled her to create a fun business model making a fun product. As a nanny, she learnt how to care for people; understand differences of opinion and how resolve blips in childhood friendships. Through her candid approach she not only made the children feel safe in her care but the parents too. Travelling and working in Europe taught self-reliance and independence, followed by 10 years working with her parents in business. ‘Inn Fillers’, based in Oxfordshire supplied an installed themed décor items to the leisure industry. A family business working for the national and regional breweries throughout the UK, here Kate gained the knowledge and know how of working with themes and customised products, working to budgets and for corporate companies, within the closeness of a family emporium. Having her own children lead her to start up a nanny agency in Oxfordshire in 1999. This gave Kate 7 years’ experience and a taste of running her own business, the real life issues of cash flow, accounts and reports. Sold as a going concern Kate relocated to Northumberland to live the dream by the sea. So, how did The All-in-One Company come to life? The idea began, as good ideas usually do, by needing to find a solution to a problem. Kate’s Dawson’s problem was sleepless nights and she needed a solution FAST. Henry, Kate’s son, was a peaceful sleeper but her daughter Lilly was quite the opposite – a little fidget, especially at night. Those covers would come off and Lilly would wake feeling cold. Good old mum would have to go up and tuck her back in each night, sometimes more than once, so that she could go, snuggly, off to sleep again. Trying to find a warm fleecy sleep suit for children over 18 months of age to keep Lilly warm at night seemed like an impossible ask. Kate searched up and down the High Street but not one single snuggly sleep suit could be found. Research lead her to making some prototypes and then on to designing a website where you can create your own all-in-one for babies, children and adults and on 19th October 2008 The All-in-One Company was born, bringing with it the birth of the Original All-in-One Onesie! Over the past 7 years The All-in-One Company has gone from strength to strength, winning multiple awards such as 'Best Small Business Award' ,The North-East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award'Northumberland Business Awards, and Winner 'New Business of the Year Award' Rio Tinto Alcan Awards, to name but a few.

Kate, who set up The All-in-One Company without any previous experience in the industry, inspired others when she shared the story of her journey from start up, through set-backs, to a 1.2 million turnover.

“Through high performing team building and support from our local MP and College, listening to our customers and working with celebrities has enabled us share our journey of success and The All-in-One Company brand.”

Meet the Manufacturer was an outstanding event – I’ve met so many fantastic people who I can relate to, and I no longer feel isolated in this industry.

“I feel so proud to have been a part of this landmark event and hope that I have inspired others to follow in my footsteps and make a commitment to British manufacturing – as together we can save the knowledge and skills that are vital to this industry before it is too late.” - Kate Dawson

As of January 2016, Kate has also been appointed member of the advisory board of Meet the Manufacturer!

“To be asked to join the advisory board is a great honour and I know that all the members are as keen as I am to do all we can to encourage and promote this country’s very talented designers and manufacturers. In the relatively short time we’ve been in business there’s been a real change. Customers are turning away from poor standard cheap imports and looking for quality – and there are more and more UK companies supplying just that.” - Kate Dawson

“We really wanted to get Kate Dawson onto our advisory board as she understands the textile industry from both a brand and manufacturers perspective. As a woman who has set up her own factory with no previous experience in garment manufacturing, she is a great inspiration, and her contribution to the board is highly valued.” - Kate Hills Make it British

Find your Future'Find Your Future is an exciting network of Northumberland Executive Women started in 2014 who have come together to offer a range of positive practical opportunities that can help young women and girls living in this beautiful county achieve their education and career goals.' Kate is also a founding member of NEW (Northumberland Executive Women) alongside Jacqui Henderson CBE. The network is made up of  over 40  successful women with members from a wide variety of backgrounds, ages and sectors who support young women to achieve their ambitions and goals. Their mission is to: • Help young women to build confidence and optimism • Encourage motivation and ambition • Highlight the impact of perseverance and determination • Promote respect, inclusion and honesty • Showcase success in many forms They aim to not only help young women find their future, but help their members achieve their ambitions too. Mumpreneurs Mumpreneurs was founded by Gemma Alexander after she decided to work from home instead of returning to work after her maternity leave. After being asked to co-host a coffee morning for Women Entrepreneurs, by her business coach Gillian Middleton, the group has grown to over 380 business women who support, nurture and encourage one another. Kate was approached by Gillian to speak at the coffee morning, as these women, just like Kate once was, were new mums with new ideas that could become successful businesses. Kate attended the very first Mumpreneur's meeting and has attended several ever since.

'I’ve met so many fantastic people who I can relate to, and I no longer feel isolated in this industry.' - Kate Dawson