Hello Kirsty! Good to see you, the kettle’s just boiled –
what would you like to drink?
A cup of good old Yorkshire Tea please!
So, tell us a bit
about yourself and your business.
My name is Kirsty Devine, I’m 27 years old and run my
business Simply Divine Things, from Haworth in West Yorkshire. Pretty much
everything that I sell is handcrafted by me, and I love coming up with new
ideas, and learning new crafts. I am proud to say that I am the only company to
make ceramic wall tiles and light switch plates in Cath Kidston designs
(amongst many others).
What inspired you to
start your creative business? How did it all begin?
My business began in October 2011 really after a fall
earlier in the year had resulted in a disability called osteitis pubis, meaning
I could barely walk, and outside the home I was confined to a wheelchair. At
the time I was doing all my Christmas shopping because I had all this time on
my hands, so I could really look for meaningful presents. I wanted a picture
for my four year old son’s bedroom in Thomas the Tank Engine, but I was
struggling to find anything nice, so I decided to buy in the things to make my
own. With a lot of help from my boyfriend, a canvas picture was made with the
famous train on. At that point, I decided that as I couldn't find anyone really specialised in
children’s art that was affordable, then I could do it myself, and my business was born. I
also started making personalised bookmarks for children at that point as I had
made one for my son and his interest in learning to read took off!
light switch covers
How has your business
changed and developed since it started?
My product base has changed massively. At first I only
catered for children, and now I cater for everyone, and I no longer make
bookmarks. I released my wall tiles in January, and shortly after a whole load
of new shabby chic things for the home like pan stands and magnets. Very
recently I released my light switch plates.
I have learned so much, and my skills have developed hugely,
for instance, I can now hand sew quickly and neatly, which I had to learn as I
can’t always sit to use a sewing machine. I also have a website now, and don’t
just trade on Ebay!
canvases
What are the main
ways you promote your business? Which
methods have been the most successful for you?
I started at first on eBay as I was already very familiar
with the site due to having run home based businesses before through there. I
still sell a lot of things there, and despite the fees, I still find they
provide a good flow of customers. I will look to move away from them eventually
though as I think they treat small business owners poorly.
I love spending time on Facebook, using networking pages such
as Mums Who Make and Supermums’ Craft Fair, in order to meet like minded people
and showcase my wares. I am now at the 600 “likers” mark and spending hours
trawling through as many pages as I can to advertise on, it is finally starting
to pay off and I got my first sale a few days ago! Like most others, I expected
instant sales through Facebook, but it doesn’t work like that. Just like when
you first get a website, it is really hard work driving people to it, and it
takes time.
Other places I go to are forums for crafters where I don’t
directly advertise, but instead have my website address visible to other users
and I just like to help and share knowledge. I like Money Saving Expert too and
go on their Up Your Income and Small Business forums regularly in order to help
out those looking to start up their own business.
On top of that I have just got into Pinterest, which I use
not only to show some of the things I make, but the things I want to make, or
buy, or wear.
I started a blog to share more of my personal crafting, but
I do include links to my shop and sometimes share new products. I’m always trying
to find ways to use up my fabric scrap stash, so I share tried and tested
guides this way too.
I also spend a bit on advertising. I have a set budget every
month that I spend on Google Adwords. I don’t spend much, so I always put my
ads up during the last weekend of every month as I find this to be my busiest
time. Then last but not least, whenever I go out I talk to people. I will talk
to literally anyone, and I always tell them what I do and have a business card
on hand!
start them young!
What’s your workspace
like? Can we have a sneak peek? And do you have any workspace organisation
tips for the rest of us?
My workspace is my lounge, with a little table, and a sofa.
I bought a storage unit from Ikea earlier in the year that has eight very large
boxes. Four of them are rammed with fabric, and four are for my son’s toys.
Then I have two further boxes, one rammed with scraps and another with other
accessories in, like ribbon, appliqués etc. Trust me, my organisation leaves a
lot to be desired! In the next year we are planning on moving and getting a
house big enough for me to have a room all to myself, but for now I just have
to make do.
What are the best and
worst bits of running your business?
The worst bit has to be the hours I work. I start at 9:30
and finish anywhere between 10-11:30pm. I spend a lot of time networking, as
well as fitting in research, and of course orders to fulfil! I never stop,
pretty much seven days a week, and on the days when I do go out with the
family, my mobile phone is permanently attached to my hand so I can carry on
working while travelling. I drive my partner crazy!
The best bit though is that I love what I do. I may work
every hour but I get to work in the same room as my partner and son, and despite
my disability, I have never been happier!
collection of wall tiles
What other small (or
not-so-small) creative businesses do you admire?
Cath Kidston is the business I admire the most. Cath started
with very little and look at her now! It just shows that if you want to be successful
you can, even when you start small.
What tips can you
give to others who run (or hope to run) a small creative business?
Research, network and tell every single person you meet
about your business, never under value your work, continue learning, be
prepared to work very long hours and don’t rush as Rome wasn’t built in a day,
and building a business takes a very long time.
What are your hopes,
plans or ambitions for the future?
I am hoping to have recovered from my disability in a few
months, and plan to start up local craft lessons for adults and children, and
also work on my offline presence. I am aiming high and my ultimate goal is to
be a known brand one day.
Finally, where are
the places we can find you online if we want to partake in a little friendly cyber
stalking?
Thanks so much for
stopping by – it was so nice to be able to take the time to chat with you!
It is nice to be able to share my story with your readers
and inspire (hopefully!) others to get/keep going with their business. If I can
do it, anyone can. Running a business is really difficult, but I absolutely
adore doing what I’m doing, and wouldn’t change it for the world. My partner is
extremely supportive and I couldn’t do it without him (he helps with packaging
and does the Post Office run every day), and I think that a supportive family
is a definite requirement. Just don’t take them for granted and make time to
spend with them, away from your business.
2 comments:
Very inspiring and going to have a look at Kirsty's web. Agree with the hours! I am having my first free weekend and cannot wait.
Just been over to the web for another look at the light switch plates. It's something so very different and I bet they sell well.
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