Find out more about running your own creative business - Creative Business Interview with the Happy Colour Shop
I've been admiring the Happy Colour Shop products for a while, and finally had a good excuse to order some for Christmas Gifts, except I like them so much, I may have kept them! Anyway - I was super pleased when Fanni agreed to be featured on my blog, and to give us an idea of what its like to run her business.
Tell us a bit about your business - what do you do?
The Happy Colour Shop designs colourful stationery that puts a smile on your desk and makes the task of getting organised a more joyful experience. I also curate a selection of products from other businesses that compliment my brand aesthetic so I can offer my customers a wider range of related products that makes their workspace a happier place to be.
The Happy Colour Shop designs colourful stationery that puts a smile on your desk and makes the task of getting organised a more joyful experience. I also curate a selection of products from other businesses that compliment my brand aesthetic so I can offer my customers a wider range of related products that makes their workspace a happier place to be.
What’s your background?
I am a freelance graphic designer and photographer by trade, working with colourful clients from around the world through my other business (which I run simultaneously) called The Happy Colour Studio. I spent 4 enjoyable years studying toward my bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication, in Auckland, New Zealand. Whilst there I fell in love with typography, colour and all things ‘print’. After graduating with Honours, I went on to specialise in editorial design and moved to the UK to work on multiple national magazine publications in London.
I am a freelance graphic designer and photographer by trade, working with colourful clients from around the world through my other business (which I run simultaneously) called The Happy Colour Studio. I spent 4 enjoyable years studying toward my bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication, in Auckland, New Zealand. Whilst there I fell in love with typography, colour and all things ‘print’. After graduating with Honours, I went on to specialise in editorial design and moved to the UK to work on multiple national magazine publications in London.
Why did you decide to set up your creative business?
After 16 successful years in magazine publishing, my career took a different path around the time I became a first-time mum. I needed to pivot my existing business as a freelancer and find work that I could do solely from home whilst looking after my new bundle of joy. I connected with small independent business owners in my community and helped them level up their brand visuals all whilst juggling multiple projects, kissing boo boos and wiping smashed broccoli off tables and walls. Having to set up this new way of working meant I needed to be super organised. I searched for days for stationery that would not only help me achieve my goals but also get me excited to actually sit down and do the work in my shattered new mum state. But my search didn’t yield any exciting results. All I could find was either super corporate looking or just plain boring…so I set out to create my own! It wasn’t till a few years later when I decided to share my work on social media, that I started getting multiple enquiries about where my planner could be purchased...and so The Happy Colour Shop was born!
After 16 successful years in magazine publishing, my career took a different path around the time I became a first-time mum. I needed to pivot my existing business as a freelancer and find work that I could do solely from home whilst looking after my new bundle of joy. I connected with small independent business owners in my community and helped them level up their brand visuals all whilst juggling multiple projects, kissing boo boos and wiping smashed broccoli off tables and walls. Having to set up this new way of working meant I needed to be super organised. I searched for days for stationery that would not only help me achieve my goals but also get me excited to actually sit down and do the work in my shattered new mum state. But my search didn’t yield any exciting results. All I could find was either super corporate looking or just plain boring…so I set out to create my own! It wasn’t till a few years later when I decided to share my work on social media, that I started getting multiple enquiries about where my planner could be purchased...and so The Happy Colour Shop was born!
How long has it been going?
The Happy Colour Shop actually celebrated its 2nd Business Birthday this month. (12th Nov). HOORAY!!
What is your typical workday like and where do you do your design work?
I get into the studio most mornings around 9.15am after the school run. I make myself a nice cuppa tea and sit down with my weekly planner to go through what I have coming up for the day and week ahead. I usually process shop orders first on Tuesdays and Fridays so I can get them out and posted later on the way home. I then check my emails and catchup with clients and projects I am working on for the rest of the day until it’s time to do the school run again. Wednesdays and Thursdays are my two blissful days in the studio where I get to work from 9am-9pm and I use this time to do all the other admin tasks of running two businesses, create new products and come up with future plans.
I get into the studio most mornings around 9.15am after the school run. I make myself a nice cuppa tea and sit down with my weekly planner to go through what I have coming up for the day and week ahead. I usually process shop orders first on Tuesdays and Fridays so I can get them out and posted later on the way home. I then check my emails and catchup with clients and projects I am working on for the rest of the day until it’s time to do the school run again. Wednesdays and Thursdays are my two blissful days in the studio where I get to work from 9am-9pm and I use this time to do all the other admin tasks of running two businesses, create new products and come up with future plans.
How do you create your designs and illustrations - do you have a favourite tool?
All my work is created on my trusty laptop using industry standard programmes such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator, however I am still old school in the sense that I prefer to start my ideas by putting pen to paper. I use a notebook to sketch out my ideas and iron out the finer details before moving over to the laptop to digitise my designs. My favourite tool to work with is my portable Bluetooth Wacom tablet which makes designing on the computer so much easier. I could never go back to using a mouse!
What’s the best thing about being a creative business owner?
I love that I get to make my own decisions and choose which direction I want to take my business. I love that I don’t have to say yes to every project that knocks on my door and that I get to create products that are helpful and make people feel happy.
I love that I get to make my own decisions and choose which direction I want to take my business. I love that I don’t have to say yes to every project that knocks on my door and that I get to create products that are helpful and make people feel happy.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
Comparison is the thief of joy so keep your eyes on your own lane and do what you do to the best of YOUR ability. Always be learning, never settle of what you already know. If you can outsource tasks you don’t enjoy doing - do it, it will free you up to do what you do best so you can grow your business and live a happier, more joyful life.
Comparison is the thief of joy so keep your eyes on your own lane and do what you do to the best of YOUR ability. Always be learning, never settle of what you already know. If you can outsource tasks you don’t enjoy doing - do it, it will free you up to do what you do best so you can grow your business and live a happier, more joyful life.
What advice would you give other creative business starting out?
Do your research find something you’re passionate about before investing too much time and money into something you don’t enjoy doing. Find a job/career you’re excited to get out of bed for and if you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.
Do your research find something you’re passionate about before investing too much time and money into something you don’t enjoy doing. Find a job/career you’re excited to get out of bed for and if you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.
Do you have any exciting plans for your business in the future?
I definitely have a few exciting ideas floating around on ways to expand The Happy Colour Shop, I don’t want to give anything away just yet but there sure are fun times ahead.
I definitely have a few exciting ideas floating around on ways to expand The Happy Colour Shop, I don’t want to give anything away just yet but there sure are fun times ahead.
Where can people find out more about you?
Shop: https://www.thehappycolourshop.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehappycolourshop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehappycolourshop
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thehappycolourshop
Website: https://www.thehappycolourstudio.com
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