A unique way to honour lost loved ones has been created by a South Warwickshire businesswoman with the launch of a new venture.
Spiritual Designs aims to design unique hand-painted memorials to celebrate the life of people and animals who have passed away.
The company was launched by Ruth Davies in September after a year of hard work and research to make sure that everything was right and with support from the start-up team at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
The support came via the CW Business: Start, Grow and Scale Programme, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Warwickshire County Council and the District & Borough councils.
Based in Southam, Ruth has ten years of experience in the creative backgrounds of fine art, graphic design, videography and photography.
After experiencing loss herself, Ruth decided to use her artistic skills in a meaningful way and so launched Spiritual Designs.
Ruth’s work is unique as she mixes the ashes of the loved one in with the paint to create a piece of artwork that can be a lasting tribute. She has templated designs or can come up with something that is completely bespoke for the individual.
“What I do is something completely different and unique and after doing research there are no services out there like this,” said Ruth.
“Because there was nothing out there like Spiritual Designs, a service that creates something so personal so you can remember a loved one.
“I can work with people to come up with a design, whether that’s a silhouette or mural, but something that is right for them.”
Ruth worked with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce to help launch her business and came across the organisation when she went freelance as a graphic designer.
She added: “I was a bit unsure of where to start when it came to launching Spiritual Designs, so I thought it would be good to get some advice.
“I worked very closely with the Chamber to make sure that we got everything right and I could not be happier with the help, advice and support that I got. The team have been so amazing and supportive.
“I worked with a mentor who acted as a sounding board for thoughts and ideas and provided me with a huge amount of advice.
“The courses that the Chamber offer cover essential parts of starting and running a business. I completed the ones about websites, SEO and social media. I’ve learnt a lot of useful skills and gave me an understanding of how to run a business online.”
Keely Hancox, Operations Manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Ruth had an idea that was completely different and very much a market for.
“With her artistic background, she had the basis to do the work that was needed, just the help and advice to make her idea for a business a reality and it is fantastic to see that she has achieved that.”
The Chamber has a range of start-up workshops to support people to build sustainable businesses.
