Laura Wellington - BA (Hons) Design

Laura Wellington is a contemporary lighting and furniture designer, who has recently seen major success with the launch of her product ‘Hula’, a large pendant light which was originally created from industrial waste from the plastics industry.

Hula has been taken on by Habitat but can also be seen in Zizzi's restaurant in Bluewater and New York Company ‘Transit Culture’. She says, “I’ve also recently produced a range of seating called Chipper which is created from a new type of shipping pallet. The pallets are created from damaged logs, wood waste and other wood by-products. I’ve taken these quirky little pallets and transformed them into an exuberant range of sustainable seating.“

Laura’s inspiration for her business came from the final year project of her degree, however she also took advantage of our Business Start-Up scheme, where she had access to business advisors and was able to attend a number of Entrepreneurs boot camps.

Laura has already been seen on BBC2 programme ‘Britain’s Next Big Thing’, presented by Theo Paphitis, while her next venture will see her launch Duke Studios in late autumn, which will provide co-working space, photography studio, meeting rooms, laser and vinyl cutting services as well as workshop facilities and courses for creatives in Leeds.

Visit Laura's webpage: www.duke-studios.com

Find out more about Starting a Business with help from Leeds Metropolitan.