Jemima Neal, daughter of Sam Neal, CEO of the family-run Geoff Neal Group, launched her apparel business, Mima Rose, in early August.

Designing her t-shirts and hoodies herself, the younger Neal then shops out printing to Uno Group UK, where they are printed via a digital transfer process to provide a wide array of design and size options on short runs.

Jemima told Printweek she had been inspired by her mother’s recent launch of an interior design business, adding that she had learned a lot in the past 18 months.

She said: “It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve really enjoyed it.

“Sampling involves a lot more work than I was expecting, but I have been really lucky because I had already learned about Shopify and Instagram Shops, for instance, from my mum.

“Dad has been great too, when it came to the printing – but not the design!”

While she has managed almost all of the business on her own so far, Jemima admitted needing a hand on getting the colours of her designs right for print, which she called “the hardest part” of the process.

Jemima, due to start her GCSE courses in September, has already managed to drive sales after marketing the clothes over social media.

“Sales have been good so far, and are improving as I create more content,” she said.

“It’s really important, as all my friends are on Instagram and TikTok, and they have helped me grow my followers to 800.”

In order to set up the business, she also had to enter into negotiations for a business development loan with her father.

“He pretends to be tough – but he isn’t really,” she said.

Sam Neal told Printweek: “Jemima has a real desire to succeed and is already very entrepreneurial. I am excited that she isn’t afraid to try things.”

As for what it’s like for Neal senior to go into business with his daughter, he said: “She has me wrapped around her little finger!”