We caught up with Camille Johnson from Pink Ribbon Lingerie and asked her a few questions about her business. 
What made you start your business?
I decided to set up Pink Ribbon Lingerie with the help of my mum Hilary because of my mum’s experiences of buying lingerie following her breast cancer surgery 17 years ago. I have a back ground in buying and merchandising.
The basic principals in merchandising is to have the right product, as the right price, in the right place at the right time. I saw that this wasn’t happening for ladies needing lingerie follow breast cancer surgery from my mother’s experiences and decided to do something about it. Pink Ribbon Lingerie is a ‘one stop online shop’ selling, lingerie, sleepwear, swimwear, clothing, accessories and books for women following breast cancer surgery. http://www.pinkribbonlingerie.co.uk
Have you been entrepreneurial from a young age?
Yes I have, I have had natural business ideas from a young age and didn’t do anything about it, and seen other people go on to make them into businesses. I think it was always going to happen at some point as my mum, granddad and great uncle all had their own businesses.
How much effort was it to launch the business?
I decided I really wanted to get things right first time and especially as I cater to such a delicate market so I decided to take a year out and develop the business plan and research, research, research. Starting, launching and the 1st year has been the hardest and best thing I have ever done. It is better to have tried then always wonder what if.
Did you need money to start the business or were you able to boot strap yourself?
I tried to get funding from a banks as I didn’t want a business angel. But was unsuccessful, the lingerie business is stock intensive and banks don’t like money tied up in stock. So myself and my family self funded the business, it meant that we had to start up slower and introduce products as we go along, but I am glad now that we went down this route.
How important is a long term vision of your business (and sticking to it)?
Very important, our aim is to help women feel beautiful and this comes first in everything we do. Because we are a small business we can respond to customer requests and feedback quickly, listening to your customers needs is important.
Why should students start a business right now?
I think its the best time to start a business because:
· You learn so many skills so quickly.
· Being young means you can/will adapt to change with ease.
· You can get loads of free business support if you are under the age of 30.
· If you can make it through a recession you can make it through anything.