In this chapter of the Creative Business Interviews - I got to chat to the lovely Holly Crow - a designer maker based just up the road from me in Cheddleton in Staffordshire. I first met Holly when she had her shop in Leek - she’s always smiling and makes beautiful clothes and I couldn’t wait to find out more about her and her business.
Tell us a bit about your business - what do you do?
Hi my names is Holly and I run Holly Crow Clothing & Gifts. I'm a designer maker by trade, specialising in women's and girl's clothing. I’m a one woman show at Holly Crow so I'm lucky that I get to see each garment through from the inspiration/design stage right through to me putting the finished touches to each handmade garment before they get sent out to my lovely customers.
I studied art at college on a general Btec course which I loved as I got to try out so many different mediums and processes. In the second year I specialised in Fashion and then went on to do a degree in Fashion Design at the University of Derby. I made the course into 4 years by taking a year out to go and work for designers and artists in Australia including Collette Dinnigan. I graduated with a First Class Honours which I'm still extremely proud of now (my husband says I'm a swot).
I got my first job working at an assistant garment technologist for a company specialising in Sleep wear. I think this is where I learnt the most to be honest though. Fabric testing, garment construction, deadlines, volume production, dealing with brands like M&S and Tesco. I worked in this industry for around 5 years and worked my way up to technical manager running my own department. The problem was I missed being creative. In industry, the different sections of a garments life are very separated. I missed the process of being involved at every stage. So after thinking about it a lot... I quit my job. I took a part time retail job and out of the spare room Holly Crow began. I did this for a year and a half and then I went full time self employed. That was 8 years ago.
What is your typical work day like?
My typical day starts with coffee, emails and social media. Then a walk with my lovely Labrador and personal assistant Alfie. I start in the studio about 9.30am.
I try to plan my week out - I'm a huge fan of a daily list I can tick off. I work well to praise, but working alone this doesn't happen, so my tick lists help me feel better. I try to have days when I will design and source fabrics, pattern cut all day, cut garments out and then days when I just sew all day.
Working for yourself means no one day is the same, problems always arise or I get distracted with ideas. I always have a lunch break... I'm a foodie and I find it does me good to have a break... I'm a book worm as well, so its nice to just have half an hour it refreshes me to then get back to work in the afternoon.
I had my shops for around 4 years and I loved seeing my customers face to face. The problem was the day to day running of the shop was stopping me making. I was buying more and more products in due to time. So I made another difficult decision to close my shop. I decided to work from home and sell just online. My business has been this way for just over 3 years now and I love it. It make me very flexible.
I sell through my main website http://www.hollycrow.co.uk and my Etsy shop too. My main marketing tools are instagram and facebook. I do find them challenging though. Its very competitive and I also think they make it very difficult for small business owners. I'm constantly learning though and always on the look out for tips!
I work from home. We recently moved and I inherited a beautiful garden Studio. I've put my own twist on it and I love working in there.
I got my first job working at an assistant garment technologist for a company specialising in Sleep wear. I think this is where I learnt the most to be honest though. Fabric testing, garment construction, deadlines, volume production, dealing with brands like M&S and Tesco. I worked in this industry for around 5 years and worked my way up to technical manager running my own department. The problem was I missed being creative. In industry, the different sections of a garments life are very separated. I missed the process of being involved at every stage. So after thinking about it a lot... I quit my job. I took a part time retail job and out of the spare room Holly Crow began. I did this for a year and a half and then I went full time self employed. That was 8 years ago.
What is your typical work day like?
My typical day starts with coffee, emails and social media. Then a walk with my lovely Labrador and personal assistant Alfie. I start in the studio about 9.30am.
I try to plan my week out - I'm a huge fan of a daily list I can tick off. I work well to praise, but working alone this doesn't happen, so my tick lists help me feel better. I try to have days when I will design and source fabrics, pattern cut all day, cut garments out and then days when I just sew all day.
Working for yourself means no one day is the same, problems always arise or I get distracted with ideas. I always have a lunch break... I'm a foodie and I find it does me good to have a break... I'm a book worm as well, so its nice to just have half an hour it refreshes me to then get back to work in the afternoon.
I had my shops for around 4 years and I loved seeing my customers face to face. The problem was the day to day running of the shop was stopping me making. I was buying more and more products in due to time. So I made another difficult decision to close my shop. I decided to work from home and sell just online. My business has been this way for just over 3 years now and I love it. It make me very flexible.
I sell through my main website http://www.hollycrow.co.uk and my Etsy shop too. My main marketing tools are instagram and facebook. I do find them challenging though. Its very competitive and I also think they make it very difficult for small business owners. I'm constantly learning though and always on the look out for tips!
I work from home. We recently moved and I inherited a beautiful garden Studio. I've put my own twist on it and I love working in there.
How do you market your business and what works best for you? do you use any good apps to help you?
This had developed with my business really. When I first started I used to do a lot of fairs and events and I had an Etsy shop (still do) this then developed into me having a real shop and then a slightly larger shop so I stopped doing the events as the shop was very demanding.
If you were starting your business again is there anything you would have done differently?
I wouldn't of tried to run before I could walk. When I first started if it was sewing I would do it... alterations, blinds, clothings, christening gowns... you name it. I wish I had taken the time to really think about what I wanted to do and develop a brand. I am more where I want to be now for sure. I think in the beginning it was the pressure to get my name out there and the pressure to earn a living, time is the most precious thing when running a small business and I think its the thing we all have the least of.
What’s the best thing about being a creative business owner?
Feeling like myself. Don't get me wrong there are days when I doubt what I can achieve and that I'm good enough. However I love that I can try new things, I can run with something when I'm really enjoying it or I can take a step back and re group when things are not going to plan.
What’s the toughest thing about being a creative business owner?
I've mentioned it in a previous question but without a doubt it's time. As a small business owner you are everything: accountant, designer, maker, promotion, product development, shipping etc etc, the list is endless. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. You just have to be kind to yourself and break it all down.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
Don't try to please others. Don't get me wrong this isn't about not listening to your customers and advice from others because thats important. However if you're making a product, if you like it, are proud of it and are confident in it, other people will get that and it really does radiate from your work.
What advice would you give other creative business starting out?
Do your research. Figure out exactly what you want from your business. Your ultimate goal. Then break it down into achievable steps. In other words plan plan plan.... it definitely helps and when you feel overwhelmed it gives you something to go back and reference to sort your head out.
Do you have any exciting plans for your business in the future?
I do... im expanding my current range with some great new styles and im planning a photoshoot to restyle my products and show them off to their current potential... these things all take time but im definitely excited about the way things are heading.
Where can people find out more about you? Do you have any selling events coming up that you want to tell people about?
The best place to find out about me is through my social media HollyCrow Clothing & Gifts on both insta and facebook. I regularly update and its the best place to see what's going on at HollyCrow HQ on a day to day basis and also find new products. Im really keen to add a few select events to my calendar too. Ive got a few in the pipeline which im visiting this year with a view to sell at in the future so watch this space.
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