Today we have the pleasure of getting to know Ilja from Em & Femme Designs a little bit better, so Ilja¦.
Tell us about your business:
I am the owner and creator of the girls clothing label ˜em&femme designs. Im all about bright and fun clothing that can be played in. I often hear ˜but they cant wear THAT in the sandpit!. Why not, I think, my kids do. Dont be afraid to play is my motto! All the items I make are one of a kind-that means while I make the same styles again, or use the same fabrics again, never in the same combination. So when people purchase, they know its the only one like that!
What inspired you to start your business?
My background is in ˜childrens mental health, and finding it hard to find the right balance between work away and time at home, I started considering my other options. ˜em&femme designs happened completely by accident, but it proved to be an fantastic outlet for my creativity.
Is there an interesting anecdote behind your business name?
I am afraid not. My daughters names are Emma and Femke, so you can see where ˜em&femme designs comes from. I do like the fact that ˜femme is the French word for woman and ˜Femke is a derivative and means peaceful little girl. We just got the peaceful wrong……
What is the most satisfying part of what you do?
This is me, all ME, and its nice to be my own boss, and know that MY hard work got me this far.
Have you tried something in business that didnt work as planned, or on the flip side “ worked out better than expected?
As much as I loved doing custom orders, it got to the point where my business ran me, instead of the other way around. I stayed home so I could spend more time with my girls, and ended up being almost burned out. After 2 years I seem to have found a better balance.
What would be your best tip for someone thinking about selling their handcrafted goods?
Stay true to yourself, stay original, and make sure its worth it. Its great to stay at home with your kids, but if they never see you, or you dont reap the benefits from it, its not worth it. It is a job after all, and you do need to make money!
What is your favourite item you make?
I think my twirly skirts at the moment, they can be worn for ages! It changes though, I think it depends on the fabrics. I have favourite fabrics, not so much a style.
Any personal or business highlights in the last year:
My yearly holidays to Europe. They complete me! I get inspired by all the colors there and cant wait to create again each I get back.
On a business front, it was being featured in my local paper, and to see my clothes in a printed magazine.
3 things about you (not business related) that people might not know:
- Since giving birth I have developed a fear of heights
- I am a sucker for cheesy pop music
- I speak Dutch, English, German and French. In that order…….
Thank you Ilja, it has been a pleasure meeting you, the maker!
