How Carla Edwards Turned a Beach Hut Into a Business Built on Sunshine, Sand, and Family Traditions

Carla Edwards, Founder of Beach Hut Hire Holland-on-Sea

What started as a spontaneous purchase became the beginning of something much bigger

Carla Edwards didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur - especially not one running a coastal business. But when she and her partner Phil spotted a small, weathered beach hut for sale in Holland-on-Sea, something shifted.

“We’d just had this amazing summer with the kids. I was ready to head back to my design work, but Phil said, ‘Why not?’ So we bought it. A mouldy little hut by the sea.”

They called her Stripey.

What began as a renovation project turned into something more: a place that families returned to every year. A business that grew from one hut into four. And a career built not in an office, but by the sea.

Creating a space that feels like a deep breath

Carla’s approach to beach hut hire isn’t about volume - it’s about experience. Each of the four huts (Stripey, Lily, Blue and Yellow) is designed to be more than just a place to sit.

“I wanted it to feel like a sanctuary. Somewhere you can show up, exhale, and just be.”

Each hut includes private changing rooms, stocked kitchenettes, comfy seating, board games, and beach essentials - the kind of small touches that make a seaside day effortless.

“We get so many returning guests,” she says. “Some families book the same week every summer. We’ve become part of their yearly rhythm - and that’s really special.”

From side project to lifestyle business

As a former graphic designer, Carla knew how to create a beautiful visual brand - but building a service-based business from the ground up required more than aesthetics.

“I had to learn everything else - how to manage bookings, streamline operations, and deliver a consistent guest experience. The behind-the-scenes is just as important as the Instagram grid.”

Speaking of which, Instagram became a surprisingly powerful tool. By sharing seaside views, customer testimonials, and glimpses of hut life, Carla grew an engaged audience that often turned into bookings.

“Our best marketing has always been word of mouth. That - and the kind of photos people want to send to their group chats.”

You can follow Carla’s journey on Instagram @beachhuthirehollandonsea or book one of her beautifully curated huts via www.beachhuthirehollandonsea.co.uk.

Why Holland-on-Sea?

Nestled quietly between Clacton and Frinton, Holland-on-Sea is one of Essex’s most peaceful stretches of coastline - and a key part of Carla’s brand story.

“It’s clean, calm, and unspoilt. After the regeneration in 2015, the beaches are wide and golden - and not overrun. It’s perfect for families.”

The huts offer people a chance to disconnect from busy schedules and reconnect with what matters: time, space, and sea air.

“We’ve thought about every detail, so guests don’t have to. They just show up - and everything’s there.”

“We didn’t plan to start a business - we just followed what felt right”

For any woman dreaming of a softer, slower, more intentional way to work - Carla’s story is a gentle reminder that business doesn’t have to start with a masterplan.

“We started with one hut. That’s it. We listened, improved, added another. You don’t need a five-year plan to get started - you just need to begin.”

“And stay close to the customer. That’s where all your answers are.”

Her vision for the future includes expansion - maybe more huts, maybe curated seaside experiences. But for now, she’s happy with what she’s built: a business that reflects the life she wants to live.

“That one hut changed everything. I’ll never regret saying yes to it.”