Victoria Ajoku | Fan The Glory With Tori
Victoria Ajoku is a passionate and dedicated businesswoman with a Master of Arts in Performance & Creative Research. She is a UK fan maker and serves as the country’s ambassador for fan making. As the founder of the award-winning business ‘Fan The Glory With Tori,’ she has worked tirelessly to revive the critically endangered craft of fan making in the UK. Her journey began in 2017 when the Heritage Crafts Association of Great Britain published the Red List of Endangered Crafts, highlighting the decline of fan making. Recognizing the urgent need to preserve this heritage, she took action by establishing a company that not only produces handmade fans but also provides workshops to educate and inspire others. At EliteX, we are proud to have Victoria Ajoku as part of the edition: Prominent Businesswomen in UK, 2025.
Her love for hand fans developed through her travels across Europe and her studies of fans as theatrical props. Combining her passion for sustainability, fashion, and expressive arts, she founded ‘Fan The Glory With Tori’ to rekindle public interest in handcrafted items. Through her business, she offers both in-person and online fan-making workshops, catering to individuals and groups. Additionally, she sells handmade fans and accessories at art fairs, craft markets, and through her online boutique.
“The art of fan crafting is in all of us.”
As a black female entrepreneur in a traditionally male-dominated field, Victoria has faced unique challenges. The practical aspect of fan making has long been associated with male artisans, while women have primarily been involved in decoration and trading. Another challenge is the mass production of low-cost fans, which has reduced the demand for handcrafted alternatives. Despite these obstacles, she remains committed to reviving the craft and ensuring diversity within the industry. She believes that fan making should be accessible to all, regardless of one’s background, and she aims to lead by example, encouraging others to embrace leadership roles in creative fields.
Victoria attributes her success to key traits such as patience, resilience, and strategic planning. She emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision, a strong support network, and a consistent approach to work. For her, passion and compassion go hand in hand, and she believes that openness to collaboration is essential for growth. Fan making requires a deep appreciation for materials such as paper, wood, and textiles, and she encourages aspiring artisans to explore various techniques to develop their skills. Her biggest inspirations are the unnamed fan makers around the world who work under challenging conditions without recognition. However, she also admires historical figures like Sarah Ashton and Martha Gamble, who revolutionized the fan-making industry in the 18th century by making printed paper fans more widely available. Their contributions paved the way for a more inclusive and accessible fan market, and she seeks to carry on their legacy by expanding the craft’s reach.
What sets ‘Fan The Glory With Tori’ apart from other businesses is its mobile approach. Victoria travels across the UK to provide workshops, making fan making accessible to a wider audience. Her sessions cater to diverse groups, including corporate teams, schools, and private events. As a qualified art therapist, she integrates well-being into her workshops, using fan making as a creative tool for relaxation and self-expression. She has even received certification from the European Reminiscence Network, allowing her to use fans as a therapeutic medium for individuals with Alzheimer’s. Her business extends beyond traditional crafting by incorporating fan movement, dancing, and fitness classes, further enhancing its uniqueness.
Balancing work and personal life is crucial for Victoria, and she prioritizes self-care. She acknowledges that while work is a significant part of her identity, other aspects of her life need nurturing as well. Taking time to relax, socialize, and connect with nature helps her stay grounded. She believes that maintaining this balance is key to sustaining long-term success in any industry. To stay competitive, Victoria ensures that her business remains relevant and relatable. She distinguishes herself as one of the last professional fan makers in the UK who offers hands-on workshops. Her ability to adapt and innovate has allowed her to expand her reach internationally, teaching abroad and curating exhibitions of her work. In 2024, she introduced a new dimension to her craft by combining fan making with paper marbling, another endangered art form in the UK.
Supporting other women in business is something Victoria values deeply. She actively promotes female-led organizations and shares resources to help others succeed. In her workshops, she displays business cards and leaflets from other entrepreneurs, fostering a sense of collaboration within the creative community. Innovation plays a significant role in Victoria’s business, particularly through online workshops. The lockdown period highlighted the potential of virtual platforms like Zoom, which she now uses to offer fan-making experiences to corporate groups and individuals worldwide. She has also incorporated branding opportunities, allowing businesses to design fans featuring their logos, making her workshops even more appealing to professional organizations.
For young women aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Victoria advises them to take things one step at a time and continuously educate themselves in all areas of business. She encourages risk-taking, as stepping out of one’s comfort zone can lead to new opportunities. Mastering various aspects of business, from finance to marketing, enables entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and build sustainable ventures. During tough times, Victoria finds motivation through music and dance, as well as by learning new crafts. Exploring different artistic techniques inspires her to incorporate fresh ideas into her fan-making practice, keeping her passion alive. Her ability to adapt and remain creative has been instrumental in overcoming challenges and staying engaged in her work.
Looking ahead, Victoria has ambitious goals for her business and career. She hopes to own a dedicated space for her workshops and is excited to launch the ‘Greenwich Fan-Making Craft Tour’ in 2025. This initiative will combine fan making with tourism, offering visitors a unique hands-on experience while learning about history, design, and architecture. She also aspires to expand her presence in the media, participating in more television demonstrations and interviews. Additionally, she dreams of hosting her own podcast or TV show, inviting guests from the arts and crafts sectors to engage in meaningful discussions. Beyond fan making, she is eager to explore other creative disciplines such as calligraphy, printmaking, and embroidery.
“Fan making should be accessible to all, regardless of one’s background.”
Victoria’s ultimate goal is to leave a lasting legacy as an innovative and groundbreaking fan maker. She envisions fan making regaining its place on the cultural map and hopes to establish fan crafting café hubs across England. More importantly, she wants to instill the belief that fan making is for everyone, not just a select few. By encouraging young people to engage with the craft, she hopes to ensure its survival for future generations. Her passion for fan making is evident in every aspect of her work, and she remains committed to sharing this beautiful art form with the world.
