Lisa has academic success sewn up

Lisa Halligan, who returned to education to help with the running of her family’s Stockton business Elizabeths Embroidery, now graduates with a MBA.

Elizabeths Embroidery supply embroidered and screen printed products to clients across the UK and Europe. Along with schools, colleges, nurseries and universities, they provide garments with logos or corporate branding for a range of sports and retail companies.

Although as a youngster Lisa helped out with the family firm after school and at weekends, she went on to get a full-time job after leaving school. But a few years later Lisa sought a new direction, which led her to return to the family business – and education.

Lisa, 33, of Stockton, said: 'My parents started Elizabeths Embroidery in 1990 from the front room of their house and during busy periods I helped out.

'The firm continued to grow over the years and we now employ 12 people on a permanent basis and recruit additional people during our peak period, especially during the back to school rush.

'Although I’d helped out after school and on weekends, I’d gone on to find myself stuck in a job where I felt I was going nowhere, so I made a joint decision with my parents to return to the family business to help out. It was the best decision we made and I’ve not looked back.

'It was my sister and her husband who convinced me to return to education too, as I was reluctant at first. I hadn’t enjoyed school or earlier studies at college.” But after visiting Middlesbrough College her fears were quashed and she joined the ILM Leadership and Management level 5. Lisa added: “I went on to complete level 7, which enabled me to progress to the second year of the MBA.

'I studied for the MBA on a part-time basis and although it was extremely hard combining study with full-time work, I would not have changed a thing.

'Looking back, if anyone had told me that one day I would have an MBA, I would not have believed them. I did not set out to achieve such a high accreditation, but it’s helped me develop personally and professionally through the business.

'While completing the course I loved the fact that my preconceived ideas about how management and leaders should act was challenged and I enjoyed learning how and why I act the way I do in my role.

'All my assignments were based on the family business and each assignment looked at an in-depth aspect, dissecting it and changing it if necessary first in theory, then if the theory worked, implementing the changes into practice.

'Although looking back it caused me so much stress at the time, I really enjoyed completing my dissertation. I found it fascinating and eye opening.

'If I was to offer advice to anyone it would be to base their dissertation on something they enjoy. I really enjoyed the whole course and learned a lot. I would not hesitate in recommending Teesside University to anyone.'

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