Coker and Clarke
Karen Clarke’s Journey from Hobbyist to Business Owner: How the Her Biz Program Empowered the Launch of Coker and Clarke Fabric Store
For Karen Clarke, launching Coker and Clarke, her online fabric store, was a dream that seemed just within reach after she lost her corporate job in early 2024. A self-described hobbyist who dabbled in everything from pottery to sugarcraft, Karen’s love for sewing blossomed into a passion that she decided to turn into a business. But to go from sewing in her spare time to a fabric business owner, she needed a foundation in entrepreneurship. Enter Her Biz, an inspiring and empowering business program for women, which provided Karen with the tools and confidence to start her business journey.
From Corporate Analyst to Small Business Owner
Before she joined Her Biz, Karen had worked as a business analyst for over two decades, where she honed skills in data analysis, customer service, and operational processes. When she lost her job, she found herself at a crossroads: should she seek another corporate position, or take the risk of building something new around her creative passions?
For Karen, sewing always brought her joy and mindfulness. Like many sewers, she finds that sewing’s concentration and hands-on nature offers a much-needed break from the endless scrolling and divided attention that dominate daily life. During the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 sewing became her happy place, and a source of continuous growth and learning. Recognising how many others may also feel this way, she considered how she could turn this joy into a career that to her would never feel like work.
With Her Biz supporting her, Karen decided to take the leap.
“I wanted to seize the opportunity to do something different with my life.”
The Her Biz Program: Empowering Female Entrepreneurs
For Karen, Her Biz was more than just a business course; it was an invaluable stepping stone that transformed her business concept into a fully realized plan. The Her Biz program is designed specifically for women in East Sussex and Kent who are looking to start their own businesses, offering free practical and strategic guidance in key areas of entrepreneurship across 4 structured online sessions. Karen describes Her Biz as one of the most well-designed programs she attended, highlighting its blend of essential start-up knowledge, hands-on exercises, and high-quality presentations.
“The Her Biz program was probably one of the best ones that I went on. It was perfectly pitched—not too basic, not too complex—and covered all the foundational areas you need to know as a start-up.
The program’s presenter, Lisa was also fantastic and incredibly confident in what she was delivering. I genuinely go back to relook at all the content when I need to revisit calculations or review strategy.”
The Launch of Coker and Clarke: A Business Rooted in Inclusivity and Sustainability
Armed with new insights from Her Biz, Karen has recently launched her business Coker and Clarke with a mission to serve the sewing and crafting community in a more inclusive and sustainable way. The store offers a wide variety of fabrics in small increments—a rare feature in the industry—allowing customers to purchase fabric in 10-centimeter increments instead of the traditional half or whole meters. This practice minimises waste, making sewing projects more affordable and environmentally friendly.
“Sewing can be a costly hobby when you’re forced to buy extra fabric just to meet a pattern’s requirements. At Coker and Clarke, you can buy precisely what you need, which saves both money and materials.”
Karen Clarke, Owner of Coker and Clarke and previous Her Biz Attendee
In addition to reducing waste, Coker and Clarke emphasises inclusivity. Karen carefully curates fabrics that appeal to a broad audience, from classic masculine tones to vibrant prints, so that everyone—from beginners to seasoned sewers, and from young enthusiasts to seniors—feels represented and welcome.
Looking Forward: Coker and Clarke as a Community Hub
Now that her website has been officially launched, Karen has plans to expand Coker and Clarke beyond fabric sales by creating a community hub for sewing enthusiasts. She offers sewing essentials like buttons, zips, and interfacing, making the shop a one-stop resource for creatives. Additionally, Karen is set to launch a series of workshops in Sussex in 2025, starting with lampshade-making courses, which reflect her commitment to empowering others in their sewing journeys.
With the support of Her Biz and her personal dedication, Karen has prepared Coker and Clarke to be a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable business that serves a diverse community of sewing enthusiasts. Her journey stands as an inspiring example of how supportive programs like Her Biz can enable women to turn their passions into successful enterprises, creating not only a business but a brand with purpose and heart.
Visit the Coker and Clarke website to see what it has to offer.