Whimsy & Bloom One Year Anniversary

So, reminds us what do Whimsy & Bloom do?

At Whimsy & Bloom Designs we create laser engraved personalised gifts, wedding decor and keepsakes. Our best selling products include our baby and wedding countdowns, children’s hair accessory holders and wedding place settings.  

 

 How have you developed over the last 12 months since moving into Banks Mill?

Since moving into Banks Mill, I’ve developed significantly both in myself and with regards to my business. I’ve found that having a separate space to work has helped me be more organised, motivated and focused. Before the move to Banks Mill, I was trying to run a business out of my small family home, with three children. It became increasingly difficult, the busier we became. Having Banks Mill and being able to split home life and my work has been incredible in terms of productivity and keeping work and home life apart. 

 

Have you expanded the business or your services over the last 12 months?

Yes, I have added a range of different products over the past year including proposal puzzles, other wedding items and giftware. I have also taken on a lot more custom orders since moving to Banks Mill where I’ve created something more bespoke and personal to my customers. In February this year I had a lady reach out to see if we could create matching wedding decor for her beach wedding in the Seychelles. I really enjoyed this as it gave me a chance to be creative and really work alongside the customer to create something that she was extremely happy with. 

 

Have you engaged in any support/groups or networking in the last 12 months?

I engaged with some of the University of Derby PR & Social Media students before Christmas. This was really enjoyable and they created a social media campaign for my instagram. The girls were really lovely and it was interesting to ask them questions about social media (as I’m terrible at it). They were extremely knowledgeable and I gained useful information that I can use going forward in promoting Whimsy & Bloom. 

In addition to this, I took part in my first Banks Mill Open Studios event last year! The work that went into the event was incredible and it gave me a great opportunity to network with lots of different people. I even met a lady who had purchased something from Etsy off of me a couple of months before! 

 

 

How do you think your practice has changed since being at Banks Mill?

Since moving my working space into Banks Mill I’ve found that I’m a lot more organised, which is so helpful, especially on the busier weeks. I’ve also managed to increase the amount of orders I can do in a day. I have the space to store ready made boxes and materials so that as an order comes in I can get it sent out as quickly as possible. I believe that this quick turnaround along with the quality of the products I send out, has given the business a good reputation and I have a high amount of returning customers now because of this. 

 Before moving to Banks Mill I really struggled with splitting work and home life. Now that I have a designated, separate space to work, I can plan out my weeks better. I now have days specifically set out for creating, updating accounts, social media and for restocking and ordering boxes and materials etc. 

 

What have you been working on recently? 

I’ve recently been building on my wedding related products, adding different designs for place settings, specifically. I’ve found that I really enjoy doing wedding items as it’s more personal and it gives me a chance to communicate with the customer more. I enjoy hearing about their wedding planning and can’t help but feel excited for them myself! 

 

How has being based at Banks Mill helped your business?

In so many ways! As I’ve mentioned before, the big one for me is organisation and the space to stock materials, which, in turn helps me to increase the amount of orders I’m able to get out and the amount of new products I can release. I have set times where I’m able to think up and create new products. I love being able to solely focus on one thing without being interrupted by the kids or the postman knocking on the door! 

I also really enjoy the social aspect of working from Banks Mill and have met some really lovely people, who’re all so incredibly supportive of each other. The information given through meetings and the weekly emails is really useful and its things id have struggled to have found out, just working on my own from home. Even just coming to work and saying good morning to Karen and Abbie in the office is a nice way to start your day! 

 

What are your plans for your business for the next 12 months?

My top priority over the coming months is to get the website up and running soon as unfortunately, it got put on hold for a little while. I currently sell the majority of my products through Etsy. I’ve enjoyed it and it’s a good way to start out, however their customer service is pretty non existent and their fees seem to be increasing regularly. I’d like to take the leap with the website and build on my social media accounts more. 

 

What would you say to anyone who is thinking of starting their own creative business?

If its something you’ve always wanted to do just take the leap and give it a try. Its quite daunting and scary starting out, but there is a lot of help out there for creative businesses, like Banks Mill. You just have to look for it. 

I absolutely love coming to work, which i honestly don’t think I’ve ever said in my whole working life. Being able to do something that you enjoy is a game changer for me. For both my family life and for myself. 

It can be hard work running your own business and at times ive found things difficult (social media and Etsy customer service being my main struggles!) but receiving positive feedback from my customers really does bring me joy. It makes my day and is so worth it!