Happily ever after.......

Two years ago Ling Warlow was disillusioned with her job, stressed and unable to conceive. Now on the eve of the birth of her twin girls she speaks to SAMANTHA PARKER about how taking the plunge and opening her own business has changed her life for good.

SURROUNDED by her stunning designs Ling Warlow relaxes on the sofa of her showroom.

Beaming from ear to ear she has a lot to be excited about; she is expecting her twin girls, who she affectionately calls Sugar and Spice, has a business which is growing daily and is married to her university sweetheart.

Life hasn't always been so rosy for Ling, 36, who owns Dragonfly Couture Stationery in Thornton Hough and her husband Mark Scullion who live in Hoylake.

Two years ago she had a promising career in management consultancy but behind closed doors felt unsettled, stressed and unable to have the baby she longed for.

She said: "The stress of the job was making me ill and I ended up having my gall bladder removed. I knew I wasn't happy but I had no idea the affect changing my job would have on my life.

"I now have three members of staff and a business that is defying the economic trend and growing. In my first year I kept myself going on only 17 weddings, last year I had 87 and so far this year we have 50 booked.

"The three of them are more than capable of looking after things while I take a couple of months maternity leave.

"Our busiest time is during the summer months and I hope to be back at work by then to pull my weight.

"The turning point for me was 2004. I was working for a management consultancy firm based in Liverpool and things were going very well with my career but something didn't feel right. I wasn't happy with what I was doing.

"I didn't know how to get out of it and I had low self esteem. Two things changed my perception of myself, I held my own at an international managers conference and I got married to Mark both of which gave me a massive confidence boost.

The final push for Ling came when she was running a course Real Women, Real Choices. The course was to check women were in the right jobs to increase their productivity.

Ling said: "I took the seminars myself and thought there must be a way out of this. I wanted to do something creative. Both of my parents were artists and I had always backed away from it as I had wanted to do something different.

"I came across card making and realised how many possibilities there were. I found someone who was getting married and asked if I could design her stationery.

"I knew this is was what I wanted to do so I went part time and spent my spare time researching as I wanted to offer something different.

"I then came across letter press stationery which was exactly what I was looking for to differentiate myself from the other stationers in the area.

"I was intrigued by it and thought it was gorgeous. Things then happened very quickly, I was offered the premises here in Thornton Hough in February 2007, gave up my job and started the business in June 2007."

Stroking her rounded tummy Ling excitedly talks about how she has been invited to exhibit at the prestigious Designer Wedding Show. Exhibiting is strictly by invitation only.

She added: "I couldn't believe it when they asked us to exhibit. It is THE wedding show and proves how far reaching the company is and how successful.

"We are up there with the high rollers. I am the only designer in the North West using letter press which gives me an edge and I have never been happier.

"I can't believe the difference owning my own business and doing something I love has made to my life. I am now happy, successful and having twins.

"I like having the freedom to do what I want rather than what I am told. I strive to be the best stationer and that drive keeps me going.

"A lot of my clients wouldn't have spent this money on bespoke stationery before and probably won't again but they really enjoy the experience.

"I am not qualified in graphic design but the passion was there so I went for it and have taught myself how to use all of the software. Passion is all you need to make it.

"It is all about being brave, taking risks and trying new things."