A couple who had successful careers in accounting traded spreadsheets for jigsaws as they launched a puzzle business which is going from strength to strength.
Mark and Denise Carter, from Brighton, launched their online jigsaw shop Puzzle Bored after working in accounting for a combined total of more than 40 years.
They said lockdown made them "think again".
“We both found it very difficult mentally during lockdown, coping with the isolation and worry of what was happening in the world,” said Mark.
Denise had two young children to care for, then aged two and five.
“Like many mothers during the pandemic, I found it difficult to juggle parenting my young children, home schooling and my self-employed work,” said Denise.
She designed a website for a company in that time. She said: “I think it was more about creating something and keeping myself busy during a time of extreme stress, it helped me through it and I enjoyed the process.
“I think this as well as Mark’s expertise in running his own firm has helped us to reach the point we are at now, creating our new business Puzzle Bored.”
Denise was diagnosed with ADHD shortly after lockdown and the pair decided it was time to re-evaluate their careers.
The began thinking about ideas and Puzzle Bored was born.
“The idea came about when we were searching for jigsaw puzzles online over the Christmas period and we couldn’t find many quirky or fun styles to purchase,” said Mark.
Denise said: “We both enjoy puzzling and see it as an escapism from the stresses of daily life and use it as a way to focus the mind.”
Their range of puzzles is inspired by Brighton and the “cool and quirky events” in the city, including the annual naked bike ride which the couple take part in.
“We have always loved the urban style artwork here in Brighton and think we are lucky to have such a wide range of styles and interesting people to work with,” said Denise.
“The artistic community has been so welcoming and helpful, we feel really lucky and are excited for the road ahead.”
Following the success of their online shop, the couple decided to take the next step and get out into the city.
Their Puzzle Peace Café, in New Road, is set to open later this summer.
The coffee shop will have a quiet space for people to make puzzles and a room for regular exhibitions by Brighton artists.
As well as ADHD, Denise has some autistic traits including sensory sensitivity, so needs peaceful spaces to quieten her mind
“We will not be using noisy coffee machines, we will only offer feature filter coffees and herbal teas served alongside cake and pastries,” she said.
The first floor Puzzle Peace Café will be decorated with muted tones and will have noise cancelling headphones, small puzzles, origami, colouring and books so that customers can get away from the bustle of the city.
The top floor will host exhibitions for local artists, puzzling events and offer a further quiet space.
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