A daughter, grand-daughter and great-granddaughter of printers, Jemima followed in her family’s footsteps by setting up her first print business last year aged 14.
Designing her t-shirts and hoodies herself, Jemima shops out printing to Uno Group UK where they are printed via a digital transfer process.
Her new pop-up shop opened at 12pm today at 340 Kings Road in Chelsea and an opening party will be held tonight.
Supported by friends, family, and some people coming in to do work experience over the course of its run, the shop will then be open daily all the way through to 1 September.
She is also featuring 16 up-and-coming brands in the shop over the course of the two weeks.
According to father Sam Neal, Jemima contacted each one and sold them space. She also created a marketing and branding package, which she sold to each brand to cover the costs of the shop fit out fairly, as well as handing out flyers at Sloane Square tube.
Posting on LinkedIn today, Neal – who lent her £500 for her first order – said Jemima’s first year had been a runaway success.
“To my surprise but not hers, she had orders on her first day in business and then has had orders every day since. Within four weeks she paid me back in full and she hasn't looked back.
“I had no idea 12 months later she would have achieved almost £50,000 sales revenue in her first year in business and had photoshoots in Chelsea and Notting Hill!
“I definitely didn't imagine that she would be brave enough to rent a retail space in Chelsea. She can't wait to meet her customers and sell face to face.”
He said that, over the past year Jemima has been interviewed on BizKids by Tash Courtenay-Smith, has attended influencer parties in London, organised a trip to Paris to a fashion exhibition, and sold and sent her products to every continent.
“Jemima has processed, created the shipping labels and packed the majority of the orders herself, supported by Granny and her two sisters, Phoebe and Ottilie.
“I would like to emphasise that Jemima has paid for everything. Since the loan for the first order was repaid, she has 100% used her own money, learning some accountancy and cashflow skills quickly.”
Speaking to Printweek last year, Jemima said she had been inspired by her mother’s launch of an interior design business. On LinkedIn today, Neal also praised his wife Charlotte’s support of Jemima’s venture.
“You have been a wonderful mummy and mentor, being patient, enthusiastic and full of energy.”
Talking to Printweek today, Sam Neal said his daughter was an entrepreneur from a young age.
“She started off by baking cakes and selling them on the roadside outside Granny's house, and then she went to a local church fête where she had a stand and a banner, and she sat there and sold cakes all day.”
Her younger sisters have also been inspired by Jemima’s business prowess.
“My younger two are very much following in her footsteps. They make bracelets, cakes, and they'll take a little stand and sit there and sell face to face, or at car boot sales where they’ll do negotiations on price. They’re learning from their sister.”
He added Jemima is “remarkably calm and committed” to the business.
“I'd kind of expected her to get bored, but her enthusiasm and her interest is growing and her imagination is growing with it and she has real ambition to push this further.”
Jemima will be sitting her GCSE exams next summer. Neal said she is diligent, focused, “and very aware of time – she’s remarkably grown up from that perspective”, although acknowledges she may need some support with packing orders – perhaps by enlisting a fulfilment house – to get some time back at a crucial stage of her education.
He added: “I don't know where it will go next, but I'm just delighted that she's learned so much, and that the younger two are inspired by it too. There’s a lot of fun to it.”
