No Angel Boutique on Clinton Arms Court, Newark celebrates 20 years of trading

A Newark business owner who gave up on a safe good job to follow her dream is celebrating 20 years of a dream come true.

Mandy Jemson, the owner of No Angel Boutique on Clinton Arms Court, first opened doors on August 3, 2004.

Despite ups and downs in the retail business, with vandalism, footfall, rents, customers, and a global pandemic, Mandy remembers the dream and passion that led her to open the business.

She said: “I have encountered the ups and downs and the “I just can’t cope” moments of having your own business, but you’ve just got to push through, giving up is not an option.

“If you work hard, love what you do and remain humble, it’s worth it all.”

Mandy’s initial bug to work in fashion retail started at the age of 16 when she did a week’s work experience at John Lewis in the ladies’ clothing section.

She then followed on to study Business and Finance at Huddersfield University and joined the NEXT graduate programme training to fast-track into store management.

She worked at NEXT for 15 years, however, when her two sons — Charlie and Max — were young, she had a strong desire to open her own ladies’ clothes shop.

Her sister Amy Wainwright, who used to own a ladies’ clothes shop in Manchester, helped her set up the business in Newark.

Mandy added: “I gave up a great job with a fantastic salary, shares and pension to follow a dream.

“My mum, being cautious said “don’t do it”, and being reckless my dad inspired me.

“Living in Nottingham, I decided to open a shop in Newark as I thought there was a niche in the market for the type of clothes I wanted to sell.

“Looking back, I don’t even think I’d still be here after 20 years.”

Over the last 20 years, Mandy admits that the business has changed tremendously, from a mainly physical shop to a need of having a hybrid business with a strong online presence and online shop.

“Unfortunately if can’t put yourself in front of the camera, someone else will and you will get left behind,” she said.

The business will celebrate 20 years of trading on Saturday (August 3) from 9am to 4pm, with cake, fizz, goody bags and discounts to thank its customers for all the years of loyal custom.

“The best part of my business is definitely all the wonderful customers and staff who have become friends along the way,” Mandy added.

“It feels absolutely incredible to reach a 20 year landmark, I feel so very grateful to all my amazing customers old and new for getting me there.

“They have made it all worth it.”