Today we have the pleasure of getting to know Sarah from Mimsey a little bit better, so Sarah¦
Tell us about your business:
Mimsey is a children’s range, embracing imagination, empowerment & fantasy. Bringing the dreams of childhood to life …
What inspired you to start your business?
I wanted to create a business opportunity that would allow me to spend lots of time with my two gorgeous children, would afford me the luxury of working with my passion of creating everyday and would allow a particular lifestyle that my previous corporate job had provided.
Is there an interesting anecdote behind your business name?
I wish I had something fabulously funny to share here but I don’t. Mimsey came from playing around with the many nicknames I have for my daughter Millie, who was my only little person at the time.
What is the most satisfying part of what you do?
I absolutely love and will never tire of seeing Millie’s face beam when I show her new pieces I have been working on (Jonah is still too young to appreciate the magic but loves the custom artwork I create and squeals with delight when new images or styles are displayed). The reaction of children who have seen, touched or experienced Mimsey in any way is so rewarding, just knowing I have contributed to re-igniting the magic of fantasy and fun is extremely satisfying.
Of course working from my studio at home is the ultimate luxury as I get to be a mum, creator and business owner, all-in-one, and that is particularly empowering.
Have you tried something in business that didnt work as planned, or on the flip side “ worked out better than expected?
I have booked Mimsey into artisan and handmade markets well before having enough stock ready to sell, setting up a well displayed ‘sample of work’ stall. Lots of business cards are now in circulation, lots of prospective customers are eager to see what’s coming in the weeks leading up to Christmas and beyond, and have therefore joined our mailing list, which is a good way to build a database, so I believe it proved to be a good “branding” exercise as well as a way to test the marketplace with the unique and distinctive Mimsey products.
What would be your best tip for someone thinking about selling their handcrafted goods?
Do it, Do it, DO IT! There is so much mass produced product for our children, individuality gets lost and uniqueness is a thing of the past. Anything you are passionate enough to create with your own hands, deserves the right to be loved by many!
What is your favourite item you make?
This is Mimsey’s Fairy Tree and it is home to Mimsey’s ‘My Fairy Friend’s’ range.
Each ‘My Fairy Friend’ is unique and original, made from hand dyed wool felt, tie dyed cotton which is hand-threaded through silver chain, silk cotton cord, Swarovski crystal detail, cotton and silk tassels and more divine detail to come as more ‘My Fairy Friends’ are born. There will never be another matching fairy, so every little girl will know her fairy is unique to her and will be a friend forever.
Any personal or business highlights in the last year:
It might sound silly, but my highlight so far was when I sold my first piece, the spotty dotty headband wrap.
It was such a great feeling to know that my design and idea for a product was loved by someone enough to buy it.
3 things about you (not business related) that people might not know:
1: I am a singer/songwriter/author and have written a book and recorded a couple of CDs
2: I attended theatre school in London and would have loved a career in musical theatre.
3: I am a closet scrabble fan!
Thank you Sarah, it has been a pleasure meeting you, the maker!
