By REBECCA DIXON

Published at 09:41, Friday, 29 January 2010

AFTER earning a name for herself as “the hat lady” Carol Forster is celebrating 10 years in the business at her Blanchland shop, Get Ahead Hats.

Carol launched her business after reading an article in the Hexham Courant about diversification.

Realising there was a niche in the market for a hat shop in Blanchland, she applied to become a franchisee of the Get Ahead Hats company and after an interview and assessment, was accepted.

Over the years Carol has undergone extensive training in how to give the immaculate customer service expected by the company, as well as keeping abreast of the latest millinery trends.

And although not a fully qualified milliner, Carol has basic training in the personalised finishing of hats.

She said: “We learn all about colour co-ordination and the different materials for trimming the hats, but a lot of this goes on instinct; you either have it or you don’t.

“We also learn how to stretch and clean the hats, as well as basic marketing skills.”

Now 10 years down the line, Carol is considered something of an expert in her trade.

Customers come from far and wide to find the perfect hat for a wedding or a day at the races and recently a customer arrived from Switzerland to buy a hat from Carol.

She said: “I was at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle one day recently and a nurse said ‘oh you’re the hat lady aren’t you!’

“It still surprises me that people know me as that, but you haven’t got to let it go to your head!”

Although the range of hats changes every season, Carol is careful to select a choice of styles and colours to suit a wide variety of tastes.

And she continues to stock a small line of complementary accessories including coordinating handbags, shoes and jewellery.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk