It's getting quite interesting at the shop, events and for the Hippos in general. We seemed to have kicked up a gear, mainly because I actually got myself organised with the back office. Cannot believe how lovely some of our artists were in not chasing me for information - most of the responses to my humble apology were things like don't worry, figured you were busy. Without such a fab group around me think I would have gone nuts (no heckling from the back over that comment!).
So, next stage - friend told me about the Own Art scheme which is something I would love to achieve for us. It's basically a credit scheme backed by Arts Council England where customers can buy larger pieces on credit and the scheme allows us to be a broker. Win win :) The customer gets to buy larger pieces in stages, we get to sell more originals, artists get to be seen more so everyone's happy!
All the criteria is around having original work from living artists and the permission from the artist to sell them which we do. Just got to wait till August to apply because we will have been at the shop for 12 months then which is the other criteria. Can't believe that twelve months ago we were in a little garden shed on a really quiet site and now looking to Arts Council England to apply for their credit scheme - it's just such a positive progress marker.
We now have almost 60 local artists and makers in the shop, all fabulous people with amazing work and all so different. Truthfully I think that's why it works, because we celebrate that uniqueness, they all come from such different backgrounds and some have had a bumpier ride than others but they meet at the shop on an equal footing. Personally I don't give two hoots where (or if) you trained formally, some of our best artists have never sat through formal art training! The thing they all have in common is they like making what they do so it's all good. And the really lovely thing is we actually know them all to chat to and ask what mischief the dog got up to last week and other normal things so it really is like having a creative family that all trundle along together.
The other thing I didn't anticipate is how much button thumping I would do! This is my non technical speak for all things computer based such as blogging, twitter, websites etc. Someone kindly pointed out that actually it's only me that calls it button thumping, oops. Also, didn't anticipate the interest we would generate from other sources. The amount of customers and artists popping in or contacting me via a referral is awesome, and there's me thinking I just stick a purple Hippo on things.
As always, a huge thank you to everyone that has allowed this to happen - and to allow me to see the possibilities of where we could go next. Already in discussions about the next cunning plan with someone that sees opportunities the way I do, will share when there's something more definite to share but think it could be rather exciting.
See you all soon, Hippo xx
Sunday, May 12
Friday, May 10
Craft Fair survival kit!
This is not intended as an exhaustive list, especially if you have very specific needs or equipment to take to a fair but it should give you a starting point of some of the more useful things to remember to bring!
- Table - Are tables provided at the venue? If not you will need to make sure you have some way of displaying your work and a pasting table or similar is usually a standard size that's useful (and foldable!).
- PRODUCTS!!! might sound daft but you could spend ages checking your details and forget to actually take what you made!
- Covering for the table - either a table cloth, old duvet cover or door curtain - anything that is big enough to cover the entire table and hang over the edges. It's sometimes useful to have something that covers the front completely so that you can store boxes etc underneath without customers seeing them.
- Banner or poster to attach to the front of the table saying who you are - not essential but if you have one make sure you pack it! Also make sure you include the pins or string to attach it.
- Stall display material - height is a great way to make your display more inviting, rummage around charity shops or DIY shops for basic bits that you can use to your advantage.
- Baskets or containers for smaller items you are displaying - also useful if these come with lids so that packing up is made a whole lot easier later.
- Boxes to pack away with - where possible make them work as part of your display, cuts down on boxes under the table and makes storage and packing away much easier!
- Pricing labels - make sure your items are priced clearly, rounding up or down to make your change easier. We round everying to the nearest 50p which makes the float tin simple.
- Float - don't forget your change! And the tin/box to keep it in.
- Receipt book - probably only if you sell more expensive items, but some may ask so depending on your prices may be useful.
- Business cards or flyers - how can people find you later?
- Notepad and pen - you will need to record your sales somehow depending on your method of record keeping.
- Packaging - depending on what you are selling you may need tissue, newspaper or bubble wrap to keep your items safe and bags to sell them in.
- If you have insurances for food hygiene, CE proof or CRBs take a copy with you - chances are you will never get asked but better to have it with you just in case.
- Useful box - I use a small plastic toolbox just for fairs and keep the following in it:
- scissors
- string
- blutac
- drawing pins
- pens
- plasters
- post it notes
- cable ties - these end up being used for the most random uses!
- roll of stickers
- business cards
- count clicker - not everyone is bothered, but they are useful
- If you have small people with you make sure you have some sweets, drinks etc and toys or games to keep them occupied (easier said than done sometimes) and please make the organiser aware that they belong to you so can be returned if found wandering!
- Chair and cushion - if you suffer with back problems or need to sit for long periods take a fold up chair and cushion.
- Cardboard - if the place might be cold take an old piece of carpet or cardboard box to stand on.
- Bin bag - to clear away any food wrappers etc.
- Food! You may be there for a while without access to tea or food so go prepared :)
Tuesday, April 30
Some thoughts on twitter
Another rambling that may be helpful, may not! As always tweak to your own needs, disregard what you disagree with and have fun in your own way :)
Twitter is a fantastic meeting and melting point for the small business owner, you get to chat to like minded, network, find customers, find suppliers and get loads of advice all from merrily clicking away. I only asked the other day how did small businesses cope without twitter? And genuinely meant it because I have met (on line and then in real life) some fantastic people. So many of our newer sellers are because of it, I found a helpful solicitor when I needed one, someone to help me with some branding issues and so so many more that the list would be stupidly long.
Why does it work for us? Because I use it - and that is the simplicity of it. To get the most out of it you need to play with it, engage with people, chat, share and generally be visible.
Try to imagine you walk into a party where you vaguely know one or two but the rest are strangers, who are you drawn to? Who do you continue to chat with and meet later? Is it the one that just says 'did you know I sold 3 cars yesterday, I can tell you all about it ...' and then drones on with tedious detail about the engine size etc etc all of which you have absolutely no interest in whatsoever. Is it the person that every time you say something they've been there, done it better and got the T shirt? Or is it the person that says 'hello, don't think we've met before - how are you?' and then actually has a conversation and a giggle with you?
Hmm not exactly rocket science is it, and that's exactly what twitter is. There's a mix of car sellers, T shirt wearers and chatters and you can follow or be any or all 3 of these types. If you are the one who only ever says 'I just listed 3 items on etsy' you're not likely to gain that many followers, let's face it that's quite dull. Likewise if someone you tweet with just says 'oh no, another disaster why did I bother' they tend to bring you down. We all have moans, just like in real life but again we have enough misery of our own without hearing other people's all the time!
I try to work on a 1/3 basis of tweets - 1/3 is information such as 'we've just got our lastest offers going'; 1/3 sharing - re-tweeting people, or talking about someone else and 1/3 random drivel - usually about the stupidity of my cat to be honest, but it works for me. Not saying I'm an expert but that balance seems to work for me and a basic rule of thumb it's probably a good starting point.
Dont't be frightened of it, and just remember that in exactly the same way you wouldn't announce to a room full of strangers about something really intimate and personal don't do it on twitter! When you tweet, try to imagine that at the party everyone can hear exactly what you say for good and for bad. So, thinking you're whispering to the woman next to you 'flip, does she really think she can wear that?' is heard by everyone, including the woman in the wrong outfit!
Gradually, as you would in real life you start conversations with folk and find some utter gems of people that become friends. I have twitter buddies around the world, and it's great to catch up with them, it's sort of like when you had pen pals at school and talk to people you've not met yet. Equally I have met some trolls, and if in doubt block and report them - use your instinct about people, don't engage just report. It's their choice what they put and not up to you to police them, but often if enough report a person they are suspended by twitter so use that facility if necessary. Please don't say 'you all need to unfollow @bibble-twit' because all you do is give them exposure which is often what they wanted.
You are not obligated to follow anyone, but use your common sense. Again, the party scenario - and also try and remember that just because you get annoyed by seeing stuff about for example Britain's Got Talent but love tennis there will be followers on your timeline going yuk tennis again. We can have different interests so don't be rude about others, just go do something else or ignore them for an hour till it's finished! As in real life your friends will do or like stuff that you just think is odd, they're still your friend just with a different take on things - exactly the same on twitter.
Hope that helps and have fun, Hippo x
Twitter is a fantastic meeting and melting point for the small business owner, you get to chat to like minded, network, find customers, find suppliers and get loads of advice all from merrily clicking away. I only asked the other day how did small businesses cope without twitter? And genuinely meant it because I have met (on line and then in real life) some fantastic people. So many of our newer sellers are because of it, I found a helpful solicitor when I needed one, someone to help me with some branding issues and so so many more that the list would be stupidly long.
Why does it work for us? Because I use it - and that is the simplicity of it. To get the most out of it you need to play with it, engage with people, chat, share and generally be visible.
Try to imagine you walk into a party where you vaguely know one or two but the rest are strangers, who are you drawn to? Who do you continue to chat with and meet later? Is it the one that just says 'did you know I sold 3 cars yesterday, I can tell you all about it ...' and then drones on with tedious detail about the engine size etc etc all of which you have absolutely no interest in whatsoever. Is it the person that every time you say something they've been there, done it better and got the T shirt? Or is it the person that says 'hello, don't think we've met before - how are you?' and then actually has a conversation and a giggle with you?
Hmm not exactly rocket science is it, and that's exactly what twitter is. There's a mix of car sellers, T shirt wearers and chatters and you can follow or be any or all 3 of these types. If you are the one who only ever says 'I just listed 3 items on etsy' you're not likely to gain that many followers, let's face it that's quite dull. Likewise if someone you tweet with just says 'oh no, another disaster why did I bother' they tend to bring you down. We all have moans, just like in real life but again we have enough misery of our own without hearing other people's all the time!
I try to work on a 1/3 basis of tweets - 1/3 is information such as 'we've just got our lastest offers going'; 1/3 sharing - re-tweeting people, or talking about someone else and 1/3 random drivel - usually about the stupidity of my cat to be honest, but it works for me. Not saying I'm an expert but that balance seems to work for me and a basic rule of thumb it's probably a good starting point.
Dont't be frightened of it, and just remember that in exactly the same way you wouldn't announce to a room full of strangers about something really intimate and personal don't do it on twitter! When you tweet, try to imagine that at the party everyone can hear exactly what you say for good and for bad. So, thinking you're whispering to the woman next to you 'flip, does she really think she can wear that?' is heard by everyone, including the woman in the wrong outfit!
Gradually, as you would in real life you start conversations with folk and find some utter gems of people that become friends. I have twitter buddies around the world, and it's great to catch up with them, it's sort of like when you had pen pals at school and talk to people you've not met yet. Equally I have met some trolls, and if in doubt block and report them - use your instinct about people, don't engage just report. It's their choice what they put and not up to you to police them, but often if enough report a person they are suspended by twitter so use that facility if necessary. Please don't say 'you all need to unfollow @bibble-twit' because all you do is give them exposure which is often what they wanted.
You are not obligated to follow anyone, but use your common sense. Again, the party scenario - and also try and remember that just because you get annoyed by seeing stuff about for example Britain's Got Talent but love tennis there will be followers on your timeline going yuk tennis again. We can have different interests so don't be rude about others, just go do something else or ignore them for an hour till it's finished! As in real life your friends will do or like stuff that you just think is odd, they're still your friend just with a different take on things - exactly the same on twitter.
Hope that helps and have fun, Hippo x
Sunday, April 28
so you want to set up a shop?
We get asked quite often about setting up a craft shop, what advice would we give etc so figured it might be helpful to put a few things on the blog. As always, not saying this is a foolproof plan or even that what we did would work for you but if nothing else it might get you thinking about what you need to consider - and most of all, good luck! If you don't try you never know what you might have achieved :)
Business plan - ok so this sounds a little formal when all you want to do is knit, natter and enjoy creating. It doesn't have to be a formal document, but there does need to be some sort of plan. Even if it's a really basic diagram of what you want to do, ideas of how to get there, what you will sell, who will help out and a rough idea of what you would like to see in 5 years. Then get the most negative person you know to pick holes in it!! If you can answer and stomach being picked apart and still be determined with a sound idea chances are it will work. If however you end up sobbing going 'but I just want a pretty shop' then you may to re-think some bits. Start again, re-write it, go back to grumpy guts and stand your ground. It may take a few goes, but believe me if you can get past grumpy guts you will have had to consider all the things that might not work and come up with a cunning plan to get round them. We all need cunning plans to succeed.
Location - this is absolutely critical. Easier said than done when rents etc are high these days, but would urge you to do some research. Just because you walk past an empty shop and think 'that would be great as a craft cafe' consider why it's empty? Did the previous tenant struggle with footfall, did they move, did they close because of ill health? There are tons of reasons why people close up, just make sure it's not something that might affect you such as footfall. Do not rush into long term contracts until you know it works - always go for short term where possible, or even blag a corner of someone else's shop till you figure out your stock and customers and know it's working. Empty shops are often available to start ups for peanuts because they would rather something than nothing - be cheeky and ask! Be aware where your limit is, if you really can't afford it then walk away as there will be other opportunities. Think of it like buying a house and what you would look for and then replace personal with customers' needs. If most of your crafters are in a wheelchair a second floor shop is not going to work well. Try to see venues as a customer not a business owner first.
Customers - without them you are pretty much sunk! Sorry to sound brutal but unless you do all your sales via the internet you are going to need customers. Don't rely on all your friends and family who are so so supportive in your front room, they have lives too and unless it's something they want to buy or have the time chances are you probably won't see them much. Again do some research, it doesn't need to be vastly high tech just sit on a bench near where you're thinking of opening up and ask yourself 'this person walking past, would they come to my shop?' If you're brave enough, take some flyers and stop and ask them. You're going to need a skin like a rhino later so just bite the bullet and stop folk! The worst they will say is no thank you, the best they will say is wow that's just what I was looking for, when do you open?
Time - the evil thief of creativity! There is going to be tons of work in the background when you are setting up and do you have the time to do it all? Can you go into partnership with people and share the workload? If you have small people to collect from school you're not going to be able to open till 5 unless you get some help. It's fun to help at the beginning when it's all new and full of possibilities but you will need the help in month 3 onwards when the slog kicks in.
Systems - sounds deathly dull but you're going to need them! Think about how you work best and play to your strengths. Some are experts on excel some love pencils - doesn't matter, just make sure you know what's going on and can show this. You will need some way of tracking people's stock, who they are and keep records because the tax man is going to want to talk to you later - and trust me they always find you!
Change - things change, constantly so accept and embrace it. You have a unique position in that you can change quickly, you can respond to customers and sellers easily - you are not a high street giant with a chain of command to work through. Use this to your advantage, it's your massive plus point. What works for Martha next door may not work for you, but equally you will have several donut brain moments where you go 'ahh that needs to be done like this' so go with it. Concentrate on the changes that keeps you going, if you are struggling to get customers in the door change your window display, change your marketing. Try to be as self aware as possible, if you are great at the customer service concentrate on that first and get folk to help with the bits you struggle with.
Money - ahh the sordid topic of coin! Get as much for free as you can, including time. Time is the biggest cost to any business, and not just paying people. If you are doing one thing you can't do something else - work out if you were to pay yourself for a task where is that best spent? Back to working out your strengths and weaknesses, ask friends what they consider your best points. Always start with free, then barter, then pay for things. Ask people if they can lend you display items - you'll be surprised what's lurking in garages and attics. We work on buttons, barter and borrow! But, and this is quite critical - you do not want to look like a messy throw together, upcycle where possible by using pretty fabrics as covers for units that don't match or ribbon to hold up signage. Be gently critical and think 'would I walk in here? What is my eye drawn to?' Again, if you're brave enough ask grumpy guts to pick holes and work on the things you can easily and cheaply first. Things take time, don't expect it to look superb from day one.
Failure - be realistic, because it is sadly an option. Apologies for sounding negative but once you accept this possibility somehow the risk seems so much smaller. If the worst that happens is you tried but had to give the keys back then what could be the best? The best could be you working with your creative friends in an environment you love and making it work for and around you.
Instinct - don't be fooled, this is a massive asset to the small business - especially a creative one. You will get a gut feel for people, customers, trends, what might work so use it. And be yourself, always. You have to sustain this, you have to drive it forward with your vision so pretending you love pink and dressing the shop in pink because you saw it in a magazine will not work unless you really do love pink. Falsehood is quickly exposed, and you do not want to be considered false. Kooky, ecclectic, slightly bonkers but lovely is all fine and to be honest partly expected but false never.
Above all, have fun! You chose to do this, you stuck your neck out so try to enjoy the bumpy ride and with tenacity, hard work and using your strengths you could be the next big thing! Hope it helps, Hippo xx
Business plan - ok so this sounds a little formal when all you want to do is knit, natter and enjoy creating. It doesn't have to be a formal document, but there does need to be some sort of plan. Even if it's a really basic diagram of what you want to do, ideas of how to get there, what you will sell, who will help out and a rough idea of what you would like to see in 5 years. Then get the most negative person you know to pick holes in it!! If you can answer and stomach being picked apart and still be determined with a sound idea chances are it will work. If however you end up sobbing going 'but I just want a pretty shop' then you may to re-think some bits. Start again, re-write it, go back to grumpy guts and stand your ground. It may take a few goes, but believe me if you can get past grumpy guts you will have had to consider all the things that might not work and come up with a cunning plan to get round them. We all need cunning plans to succeed.
Location - this is absolutely critical. Easier said than done when rents etc are high these days, but would urge you to do some research. Just because you walk past an empty shop and think 'that would be great as a craft cafe' consider why it's empty? Did the previous tenant struggle with footfall, did they move, did they close because of ill health? There are tons of reasons why people close up, just make sure it's not something that might affect you such as footfall. Do not rush into long term contracts until you know it works - always go for short term where possible, or even blag a corner of someone else's shop till you figure out your stock and customers and know it's working. Empty shops are often available to start ups for peanuts because they would rather something than nothing - be cheeky and ask! Be aware where your limit is, if you really can't afford it then walk away as there will be other opportunities. Think of it like buying a house and what you would look for and then replace personal with customers' needs. If most of your crafters are in a wheelchair a second floor shop is not going to work well. Try to see venues as a customer not a business owner first.
Customers - without them you are pretty much sunk! Sorry to sound brutal but unless you do all your sales via the internet you are going to need customers. Don't rely on all your friends and family who are so so supportive in your front room, they have lives too and unless it's something they want to buy or have the time chances are you probably won't see them much. Again do some research, it doesn't need to be vastly high tech just sit on a bench near where you're thinking of opening up and ask yourself 'this person walking past, would they come to my shop?' If you're brave enough, take some flyers and stop and ask them. You're going to need a skin like a rhino later so just bite the bullet and stop folk! The worst they will say is no thank you, the best they will say is wow that's just what I was looking for, when do you open?
Time - the evil thief of creativity! There is going to be tons of work in the background when you are setting up and do you have the time to do it all? Can you go into partnership with people and share the workload? If you have small people to collect from school you're not going to be able to open till 5 unless you get some help. It's fun to help at the beginning when it's all new and full of possibilities but you will need the help in month 3 onwards when the slog kicks in.
Systems - sounds deathly dull but you're going to need them! Think about how you work best and play to your strengths. Some are experts on excel some love pencils - doesn't matter, just make sure you know what's going on and can show this. You will need some way of tracking people's stock, who they are and keep records because the tax man is going to want to talk to you later - and trust me they always find you!
Change - things change, constantly so accept and embrace it. You have a unique position in that you can change quickly, you can respond to customers and sellers easily - you are not a high street giant with a chain of command to work through. Use this to your advantage, it's your massive plus point. What works for Martha next door may not work for you, but equally you will have several donut brain moments where you go 'ahh that needs to be done like this' so go with it. Concentrate on the changes that keeps you going, if you are struggling to get customers in the door change your window display, change your marketing. Try to be as self aware as possible, if you are great at the customer service concentrate on that first and get folk to help with the bits you struggle with.
Money - ahh the sordid topic of coin! Get as much for free as you can, including time. Time is the biggest cost to any business, and not just paying people. If you are doing one thing you can't do something else - work out if you were to pay yourself for a task where is that best spent? Back to working out your strengths and weaknesses, ask friends what they consider your best points. Always start with free, then barter, then pay for things. Ask people if they can lend you display items - you'll be surprised what's lurking in garages and attics. We work on buttons, barter and borrow! But, and this is quite critical - you do not want to look like a messy throw together, upcycle where possible by using pretty fabrics as covers for units that don't match or ribbon to hold up signage. Be gently critical and think 'would I walk in here? What is my eye drawn to?' Again, if you're brave enough ask grumpy guts to pick holes and work on the things you can easily and cheaply first. Things take time, don't expect it to look superb from day one.
Failure - be realistic, because it is sadly an option. Apologies for sounding negative but once you accept this possibility somehow the risk seems so much smaller. If the worst that happens is you tried but had to give the keys back then what could be the best? The best could be you working with your creative friends in an environment you love and making it work for and around you.
Instinct - don't be fooled, this is a massive asset to the small business - especially a creative one. You will get a gut feel for people, customers, trends, what might work so use it. And be yourself, always. You have to sustain this, you have to drive it forward with your vision so pretending you love pink and dressing the shop in pink because you saw it in a magazine will not work unless you really do love pink. Falsehood is quickly exposed, and you do not want to be considered false. Kooky, ecclectic, slightly bonkers but lovely is all fine and to be honest partly expected but false never.
Above all, have fun! You chose to do this, you stuck your neck out so try to enjoy the bumpy ride and with tenacity, hard work and using your strengths you could be the next big thing! Hope it helps, Hippo xx
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