Founder of Frenchic eco-friendly paint company Pam Gruhn shares her story of how her love of old furniture led her to become a successful entrepreneur and founder of the UK’s fastest growing chalk paint company:
Tell us a bit about your business Frenchic…
I founded Frenchic in December, 2014 and it has fast become a global haven for eco-friendly upcycling inspiration. I’m proud to have the fastest growing Chalk Paint Company in the UK, with over 370 independent stockists globally. The Frenchic Paint phenomenon has really made an impression and taken the home decor world by storm, loved by interior creatives and environmentally conscious DIY enthusiasts alike.
Frenchic Furniture Paint has no hidden nasties (ALL our ingredients are written on the can). An all-natural, eco-friendly paint that requires no stirring, shaking or the addition of water. I don’t add VOC’s, toxins or solvents and it has virtually no smell, so great for painting indoors! I stock independent retailers and adore how they embrace Frenchic and are as passionate as I am. It’s catching!
What inspired you to set up your business?
My passion for bringing old furniture back to life rather than see it go to landfill is what inspired my quest to create Frenchic. I REALLY wanted a paint that ticked all the eco-friendly boxes but also one that was easy for beginners yet also the choice of professionals. A successful product has to have authenticity and be born of a personal passion. Frenchic has both!
How do you see your business developing in the next 5 years?
We are already as far afield as Australia, America, Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong etc and as the world becomes more and more aware of sustainability issues and the importance of recycling I can only see us growing continent by continent.
As an independent business woman, what has been the biggest struggle you’ve faced?
To be totally honest, I haven’t really faced many struggles! I knew that Frenchic was always going to be welcomed into the world of chalk painters and it took off from Day 1. The biggest hurdle, I guess, has been to keep totally focused on spreading the Frenchic word and recruiting new stockists. I work pretty much every waking hour so my social life has gone for a burton!
Any advice/pearls of wisdom for entrepreneurs?
When I first launched Frenchic, I wasn’t thinking about huge success or being the biggest and best, I was thinking about creating a paint that was needed in the chalk paint world, a paint that wasn’t there before that simply ticked all the boxes. It was a personal desire that drove me to make this available to likeminded painters and to promote recycling of beautiful old furniture for everyone to paint. With this in mind, I stayed focused and on track with a positive attitude. With those three key ingredients, you’re already on the road to success.
Head over to Frenchic to see Pam’s full eco-friendly paint range.
Christine
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