Wonderful Women Wednesday-The Interview: Entrepreneur Jessica Huie MBE

Jessica Huie is an award winning entrepreneur (Daily Mail’s Enterprising Young Brit Award, Evening Standard’s Most Inspirational Entrepreneur, Glamour Magazine’s Power List… the list goes on) and she is founder of multi racial greeting card and gift brand Color blind Cards www.colorblindcards.com and JH Public Relations.

Until recently my working days were split between managing my PR clients which ranged from celebrities (everyone from Kelly Rowland to Strictly Come Dancing’s Robin Windsor) to business and lifestyle clients like Nooshin, Savile row’s youngest female designer/tailor. Earlier this year I made a decision to focus on my greeting card and gift range Color blind Cards.

I have a strong vision for the brand to become the world’s largest independent multi racial card publisher. The business was born out of a desire for my daughter Monet (who was aged 7 when we launched) to have access to greeting cards which reflected her identity as a black child. The high street was devoid of cards which reflected the fact that London is the most multicultural city in the world. Intuitively I felt it was my responsibility to change this.

Today the cards are available in the UK, South Africa, Bermuda, Barbados, Nigeria and 2013 is a hugel exciting year for us with a US launch planned for the second quarter.

Unquestionably my children. My 14 year old daughter has grown up with me as I was a very young mum, she was born when I was 18. I am so proud of the beautiful young lady she is becoming. Kind, sensible and supremely driven.

My baby Jensen is 13 months and never stops smiling. When he joined our family I became more driven than ever and they motivate me to be the best that I can be. Professionally, being invited to No.10 Downing street to consult on a round table about enterprise was a pretty incredible moment when I reflect on the challenging start of my adult life.
I’m really just getting started in terms of acheivements.

Bare minerals make up, Color blind Cards, Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat  to cover up the broken sleep, business cards and a Christmas card from champion boxer Ashley Theophane…Ashley participated  in our Color blind Card photoshoot recently. The pics were amazing-I can’t wait to see the finished cards.

To realise my vision for Color blind Cards and use it as a platform to leave a legacy and inspire and support young women to recognise their incredible capacity as human beings. Regardless of obstacles and circumstances, I believe we can create our ideal life through hard work, dedication and self confidence.

Living somewhere hot and close to the sea! I haven’t decided where as yet. Less hands on in the day to day running of Color blind Cards, but overseeing the creative process and exercising the philanthropic side of the business. Spending spa and shopping days with my daughter who’ll be 19 then (!) and playing on the beach with my baby boy who’ll be 6 then.

Finally, happiness is… the moment when baby Jensen cuddles me, pats my back with his litttle hand and says “aaaah”.

For more information:
www.colorblindcards.com

Twitter: @colorblindcards

Photograph ©Jessica Huie

Updated post.