Sinead Vaughan-Tompson

The Leading Lady – Female in tech

Name	Sinead Vaughan-Tompson
Age	47
Country	Virginia, Co CAVAN
Education Experience (Secondary, Higher Level)	I completed my second level education at Mount Sackville Secondary School, Chapelizod – Dublin Then I progressed to complete a Foundation course in Art & Fashion Design Technology at The London College of Fashion.
Training (Business, Entrepreneurial)	I undertook an internship with Harriet Gubbins, Fashion Designer, London.
Employment History	I have had a pretty varied employment history, living in Copenhagen. Denmark (1 Year). Munich, Germany ( 2 Years) and London, UK (12 Years) I worked in IT sales, various other sales and administration positions and then returned to Ireland to work as General Office Manager for my Father’s companies which specialized in Energy Efficiency Products and building methods before deciding to pursue my original lifelong wish to be a professional artist.
Social Background	As a child I grew up in the countryside just outside Trim in Co. Meath. A rural upbringing in 1970’s Ireland was a mass of contradictions at times idyllic and full of freedom, at others difficult and conservative. After two years of studying in Maynooth I left to live abroad, before returning to a much-changed Ireland 15 years later. I currently live in Virginia with my husband and much-loved dog.
Personality Traits	I am an inherently creative, artistic and musical individual. Always approachable to friends and strangers alike. Enthusiastic about the things I love and loyal to the people I care about. I am modest about my talents, appreciative of others, polite and punctual. A deep love of nature permeates through everything I do, influencing not only my choices as an artist but my everyday decision making as an individual as well.

Their Tech Entrepreneurship Journey

Business Name

Síoda Art – Sinéad Vaughan-Tompson

What was the inspiration?

After years of working in offices there came a point where I realised, I had been neglecting my creative side for too long. The need to express myself in a way that was impossible to do in a conventional job had reached the point that it was impossible to ignore.

I love art and I love fashion and the idea of combining the two was incredibly appealing. “Síoda” is the Irish for silk and my original concept was to produce hand painted silk scarves (wearable art) and abstract paintings on silk fabric. This has evolved to include producing paintings on canvas/board and paper in acrylics and oils.

Why did they decide to set up their tech business?

I have always had a deep love of art and the desire since childhood to be a professional artist, so I decided to take the plunge and really pursue this. A huge decision to make and in the long run quite terrifying but utterly satisfying.

Once the decision was made it was really a case of all or nothing and whilst those early days were somewhat hampered by me fracturing my knee the enforced immobility meant that I was able to spend a lot of uninterrupted time online; using the internet to research artists that I liked and learning about the techniques and processes I would need to be able to achieve my goals. I taught myself how to paint on silk, building on what I was able to learn online and developing a style and body of work unique to me.

What does it do?

Products/services?

I create contemporary abstract and expressionist paintings on canvas, board and paper using a variety of mediums (mainly acrylics and oils).

In conjunction with this I also produce hand painted silk scarves (wearable art) using french dyes and framed abstract paintings on silk fabric.

I sell these through a small number of places in Ireland and online through a selected number of websites, whilst at the same time being available to take on commissions, both private and corporate, as the opportunities arise.

What makes it unique?

As a visual artist my work is entirely original. It is influenced by the artists work whose I love and by the world around me. As time goes by, my own distinct and recognisable style has slowly developed enabling me to offer a unique body of work that can be clearly differentiated from that of other artists’.

When did they decide to set it up?

I decided to set up the business nearly seven years ago. Though much of the first two years was spent researching and teaching myself the skills and techniques necessary to succeed.

What were the main challenges/struggles to setting up?

Social/financial/tech issues?

The main challenges were financial, art equipment is expensive and to produce high quality art and luxury silk apparel ones needs to use the best quality materials available.

Learning how to promote yourself in an entirely new industry was also a challenge. Finding your way around social media and keeping up with the advances in technology can be a struggle and an on-going learning experience.

How did they overcome these?

I overcame these challenges through “trial and error”. It’s amazing what you can learn by your mistakes.

For everything else, the internet is your friend. Instagram has been a great boon for both promoting my work and as a constant source of inspiration. The fact that you can get almost instant feedback on your work especially from your peers is an incredible boost.

For developing new techniques, I have always used Youtube, as a learning platform it has proved invaluable and has allowed me to develop and evolve as an artist in ways that would otherwise be impossible without expensive tuition.

In regard to social media, I keep active and interact online with people!

What were the main success factors?

My main success factors relate to networking, both on social media (especially Instagram) and in the community. I advise others to constantly take stock and that as long as you are moving forward, be it artistically or as a business then you are making progress. It is far too easy to become disheartened, but you have to believe in what you are doing and recognise that there are no shortcuts to success.

What are their future plans?

For their tech business?

For themselves?

I plan to continue to evolve and develop as an artist, introducing new methods, techniques and materials into my work.

The next step for me to develop a successful business is having my original artwork printed on silk scarves and other apparel, packaged beautifully and available for a larger market.

I would like to expand my available studio space in order to facilitate the painting of large abstract canvases for both corporate and private clients.

Going forward I plan to be more selective in the choice of exhibitions for my artwork, targeting and working towards those that I think will be of the most benefit to me including the selection of a small number of open competitions to enter each year.

My goal is to be financially successful enough in order to facilitate all of the above!

Top 2 tips for nascent women technology entrepreneurs

Stay true to your vision. and enjoy the experience.

Don’t compromise your aesthetic.

Further information:

Contact details

Instagram: sineadvaughantompson

Facebook: Sioda Art