A CREATIVE entrepreneur has started a business in High Wycombe town centre working with other female-led start-ups in the area.

Jessica Thatcher, the business owner of ZV Textiles, makes handmade garments for local businesses, from t-shirts, and hoodies to horse riding skirts and jackets.

The 41-year-old from High Wycombe invested in sewing machines for her first business Eqco, which makes clothing products for horses and dogs.

Having machine-sewed snoods, running belts, horse riding jackets and more she, realised there was a demand for products made in the UK.

She said: "I became a bit of a machine addict and have about 20 now and more on the list. I realised there was a demand for products made in the UK and had a ton of machines often not being used all the time so decided to branch out.

"I love and have always loved making things. I find there are few things so satisfying as taking fabric from a roll and transforming it into a garment.

"Even after all these years, it fills me with joy and I can’t stop smiling."

Her latest business located in Vernon Building on Westbourne Street, manufactures garments for athleisure such as t-shirts, hoodies and leggings.

She is currently sampling lingerie items for a local business and helping a pilates company with a product they're developing.

She said: "I also want to help other businesses out – especially small businesses. When I started my first business, I quickly learned how hard it is to find somebody to help you realise your dreams of getting products made in the UK because of costs and minimum order quantities."

Jessica has always worked in the retail industry, in fashion, interiors, gifting, eyewear and beauty marketing.

She first started in direct marketing working for agencies in London then went to work for Boden, Graham and Green, Habitat and Jigsaw.

"I always envied buyers, merchandisers and designers their jobs but couldn’t afford to start again at a graduate level," she said.

"After four redundancies and relocating to the countryside from London with my now ex-husband, I started my first business, Eqco, with two industrial sewing machines in my living room and things grew from there."

Jessica is a machinist at her business, working alongside other freelance machinists, freelance pattern makers and fashion designers.

The Wycombe entrepreneur is hoping to hire an apprentice and bring a local student on board to help out with digital marketing (mainly social media) and to learn to sew.

She added: "It’s really hard to find skilled local machinists."

Visit www.zvtextiles.com for more details.