Recently the HMK team got to learn a bit more about Perth based Market Girl and here is what they had to say:
Tell us a little about YOU, the woman behind Market Girl?
We are the Market Girls, We are a œtalented duo, best buddies & busy mums , this is not our words but we like them, we feel it sums us up. Between us we have 6 children all girls aged 2 “ 7 years old. We, Teneille & Emma love cute, unique & handmade childrens products & also love that we are providing an avenue for local businesses to showcase their products in a boutique market atmosphere. We are just like all the other mums we live in the suburbs do the school drop off and pick up, the washing, food shopping, cleaning and cook dinner. Then in our spare time LOL we manage to run a very successful business called Market Girl. One day we decided that rather than just talking about it we were going to actually just do it and so that is how Market Girl came about. Market Girl is us we are the Market Girls.
How did Market Girl come to life?
We wanted unique handmade products for our girls and thought wouldnt it be great to be able to get everything you want in the one spot in a boutique atmosphere other than a crowded shopping centre. Then there is the whole believe about helping other mums do what they love and still be able to look after their little ones and let other know just how talented they really are. For too long us women have been too competitive its about time we all start helping each other out.
What is the most satisfying part of what you do?
The fact that we get to play with our children in between signing thousands of advertising contracts and deciding the strategic direction of Market Girl. We will right in the middle of something crucial and one of them has a meltdown or falls over and we are there to pick them up and give them a cuddle. Also we are helping many mums just like just do exactly the same thing every day, do what they love and still be there for the cuddles.
Photo by Crazy Love Photography
Is there anything that isnt so much fun?
(Bookwork is my pet hate!) Unfortunately we have learnt the hard way that sometimes you just got to say no. I hate saying no to someone but sometimes we just cant fit everything or everyone in.
Have you tried something in your business that didnt work out as you planned, or on the flip side “ worked out better than expected?
Well we had hoped that our first market would be a success, otherwise why would we be doing it, but we were over the moon with how successful our first market went. We expected that there would be teething problems but had been planning and planning for weeks and months, over planning according to our husbands. We were also like a party host hoping that the guest would arrive and they did we had over 800 people through which is amazing we could not wipe the smiles of our faces, customers were actually queuing to get in.
What would be your best tip for someone thinking about selling their handcrafted goodies?
It is all the little extra things that you do that will differentiate yourself from the mass-produced items, whether its offering personalised dolls that look like your child or just providing that really personalised old fashioned customer service. As far as selling at markets its all about the presentation. That is the presentation of your market stall, your presentation (smiley and happy), products that are beautifully wrap. It has to be inviting and make people come to have a look at your stall over the others.
Can you tell us your favourite (or top three if that is too hard!) handcrafted item you have brought?
Well with 6 little girls between us we would have to say we are a sucker for all things pretty but I think that it would have to be gorgeous headbands. But we do love the making little dresses and handbags that you can get
Can you pick a fave Aussie handmade item?
Oh thats too hard just to pick one with so many talented Aussie businesses to choose from.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, what hand-crafty thing would you want with you?
Needle and thread just imagine what cute little outfits you could whip up with all that time on your hands, are we pushing it if we ask for material too or would we have the weave it out of coconut fronds.
Photograph by Crazy Love Photography
