Love Paper Scissors

www.lovepaperscissors.bigcartel.com

1. Tell us about your business

I create paper miniture 3D art works specialising in personalising and custom made wall art. My focus are the wedding and remembrance ranges.

2. When and why did you start your business?

I started doing something I love without even the thought of a business. I actually made some art work for myself and people who saw them suggested I should be selling them - the rest is history, I walked into a few shops with some samples and it has grown from there.

3. On a personal level, what have you achieved with your business?

Being able to work from home with the kids, however it has taken up a lot more of my time that I expected. Creating something people want to have in their home, particularly the remembrance art work and wedding vows, give me a great sense of achievement and enjoyment. I don't think there is anything else out there like what I do. I love it when someones sees my art and says, "Wow, what a great idea".

4. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?

Time management with the kids!! Being isolated by location - I'm in Echuca, Northen Victoria, so travelling to Melbourne etc takes time. Becoming more computer literate has been beneficial. There are a number of people framing butterflies now so I have branched into more meaningful art incorporating poems, readings, wedding vows etc to have something a bit different. I have also began offering to laser cut shapes of any object the customer requires - cats, dogs, fish, antique bath tubs - I can do it!

5. What activities have been successful in promoting your business?

Facebook is great, wholesaling a range to boutique stores, word of mouth. Having a marketing manger - Bambi Gordon from The Woo has been fantastic to bounce ideas off and offer advice. I'm hoping to secure an agreement with a well known childrens charity shortly with my remembrance range.

6. What activities were less successful for marketing your business?

I'm a sucker for kids charities and have donated several art works for auctions to raise funds. The feel good factor is there but I'm not convinced the numbers of people seeing my art at little events is worth it financially. However I will no doubt keep donating them!

7. Name your favourite thing about your business

Creating something people enjoy and the sense of pride that gives me.

8. Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?

I think the team at Jimmy Possum in Bendigo have created a gorgeous business that is well known. I love their marketing and the fact they are a family business that has done so well. Anyone that has started up a small successful business deserves acknowledgement as the first few months are real eye openers in terms of learning how best to relate to customers, securing sales and of course the money involved to continue growing.

9. What are your plans for the future of your business?

I would love to employ a few stay at home parents to assemble art works if i get busy enough. I'm not there yet but hope to be. I also like the fact that my large frames are made locally in Echuca from Australian timber. The small ones are just too expensive to have made locally so unfortunetely they are from China at this point but I am working on that.

10. Share your best business tip with our readers.

Have a product people actually want!

Visit us at: www.lovepaperscissors.bigcartel.com