If you're thinking of starting your own company I hope that this week has helped you gain an insight into what it takes. As you know, Ginger Sky is still in the setting up phase so I wanted to end the week with a different perspective. I got together with my friends at Owl & Pussycat Creative, a growing business based in Hull, and asked them a few questions about their experiences.
Owl & Pussycat Creative was born out of a mutual love for both great design and original prints on t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags and other garments. Taking some money and plenty of honey we decided to sail our pea green boat into setting up our very own design and printing studio – in order to bring our designs to the masses... well…a few individuals with a passion for great tees at least!
Where do you get the ideas for your products?
Nature, animals and music (see MC Grizzly!).
We love putting our own spin on fashion styles, for example 1960’s peter-pan style collars printed with our unique illustrations (see our Daschund and Space Invasion Collar t-shirts), and creating new styles such as our pretty Damask Wings t-shirts, which are patterned only on the back and therefore ideal for wearing with a printed scarf.
How long have you been running it for?
We started working on illustrations, ideas and a website in February 2012, printed our first t-shirts in May and the website went live June 2012.
What inspired you to start your own business?
The opportunity to showcase our design work and ideas and test them on the willing public!
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| Nature's Owl Sweater |
Did you undertake any business training before starting your company?
James’ background is in Fine Art and he is a self-taught user of Illustrator.
Anna is currently studying a Web Design course at Hull School of Art & Design.
What's the most effective advertising you use?
We’ve found social media network sites such as Facebook and Twitter useful, however word of mouth and forming relationships with other small businesses in the area is proving the most fruitful for us.
What's the best thing about running your own business?
What's the best thing about running your own business?
Working together towards a hopefully bright future, seeing our designs in print and doing as much as we can ourselves.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced so far with Owl and Pussycat Creative? And how did you beat it?
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced so far with Owl and Pussycat Creative? And how did you beat it?
Finding the right garments to print on and also trying (and sometimes failing) to print as much as we could ourselves have been our biggest challenges. We have overcome these issues by narrowing down our product choice and deciding to outsource most of the printing.
What are your plans for the future of Owl and Pussycat Creative?
We’re currently busy designing a new line in men’s t-shirts as well as some super cute baby sleepsuits. We hope to improve our website, continue to create new designs and keep expanding the business by engaging with our growing number of followers.
How can people get hold of O&P products?
How can people get hold of O&P products?
Products can be bought online through our website http://www.owlandpussycatcreative.co.uk
A selection of our items are also available to buy directly from Tide All Gallery and Shop, The Union Mash-Up, Princes Avenue, Hull.
We will also be selling our products at three upcoming events:
- Humber Street Market, at Fruit Hull – Sunday 18th November 2012, 11am-4pm
- Christmas Fayre, Kinderland, Priory Park, Hull – Friday 30th November 2012, 9:30am-6pm
- Humber Street Market, at Fruit Hull – Sunday 16th December 2012, 11am-4pm
If you could pass on only one piece of advice to prospective entrepreneurs, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to change and adapt your business plans and ideas as you progress – sometimes difficult decisions need to be made in order to move forward.
If you would like to know more about Owl and Pussycat Creative you can follow them on twitter @oandp_creative or check out thier facebook page here creativepeagreenboat
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