How I Made It: Angela Flowers, founder of Angela Flowers Gallery
"RECESSIONS don't frighten Angela Flowers. Since opening her first art gallery in 1970, she has survived five downturns and expanded overseas. "Art is a robust industry," she said. "Buying and collecting is more popular than ever."
Today the 80-year-old owns two galleries in London and one in New York. She also runs a summer show at her holiday home in Ireland. Her British sites posted sales of £4m in 2011 and profits of £2m, while New York had sales of £1.3m. The company is based at her gallery in Shoreditch and has 24 staff.
Profit is not her main motivation. "It's about helping the artists achieve their goals, and holding their hands the whole way through," she said. "The idea was always to establish something that championed young artists - they work hard and live lonely lives." "
Kiki Loizou