What's your Creative Calling?
Having your own business is not just a platform to generate an income for you and/or your family. It is also an opportunity to fulfill what Chase Jarvis creator of ‘CreativeLive’ and author of the book calls your ‘Creative Calling’. He argues that the world is not split into ‘creative people’ verses ‘the rest of us’ and therefore unleashing your creativity is your highest calling that should not be ignored.
For:
Creativity is a natural, life-sustaining, human function that is essential to our health and well-being. It’s as natural as breathing. (Jarvis 2019 p7.)
During the career building years of your 20’s and 30’s you may spot an idea, see a gap in the market, take a new twist to a print or design in which your regular 9 to 5 may not be the vehicle in which to share this gift with the world. With full artistic control having your own business (whether it be a side hustle, freelance, boutique or full-time etc) allows you to what Madonna says in one of her songs ‘Express yourself’.
So, what do you need to do to show more of yourself to the world, be fully present in the work that you do and transform your life and that of others with your creative calling?
Daneika March, founder and owner unleashed her creativity with her homeware brand ‘March & Powell’. She then joined forces with her brother to take her business to the next level. This brother and sister duo are proof that you do not have to go it alone to develop your entrepreneurial journey.
Business Feature of the Week: March & Powell
1) Tell me about your business?
Formally a fashion and textiles designer that now applies my surface pattern design skills to build a homeware brand, March & Powell. The core of the business is to be a print led brand that supplies kitchenware, tableware and home textiles. The brand sells online, Esty and on eBay a partnership that started in October 2018. A year after starting the business by brother Taith Powell joined me.
2) When and why did you set it up?
I started a business in homeware 3 years ago. After working for a luxury fashion and homeware designer it inspired me to be confidant with my prints and be confident applying it to homeware as I am from a fashion background.
3) Where did you get your business idea from?
I always wanted my
own company in textiles and reaching this point in my life; gaining 10 years'
experience working for interior, fashion and retail companies, I knew it was
time to get it started.
4) How did you set up your business?
I first launched
March & Powell on Shopify which was recommended by a friend in the same
business. Shopify is a great platform to start with already built layouts to
work from but I wanted more allowance in the layout and build of my website so
I went over to wix.com which allows me to build the website from scratch and to
my own specification.
5) What problems did you encounter? How did you overcome them?
I think all ceramic sellers find it very hard
to understand how to ship their products safely and cost effectively. Early in
the start-up I was over protective, I bubble wrap the products heavily and that
was not good for cost of shipping nor the environment. After a lot of loses
with shipping cost, I sort out geami wrapping, simple eco-friendly wrapping
solution which helped a lot.
6) What 3 skills have you utilised and developed in setting up and running your business?
People skills/ Public speaking/ defining my art
I have worked as a freelancer, worked in retail worked for designers and I have not communicated and built relationships as I do now as an independent business owner. I have met so many people of all different backgrounds and business vocation that it has helped me so much to be more confident building a business and creating long friendships.
7) What 3 pieces of tech or resources could you not live without that help organise and manage your day/time?
iPhone calendar, is literally my go to for every planning and reminders.
My note taking notebook is next to nothing when it comes to resources, I could not live without it, I go everywhere with it.
8) What have been the benefits to you in running your own business?
The benefits of running my own business is getting credit for my textiles designs and prints and of course working from home.
9) What has been your proudest business achievement so far?
My proudest business achievement so far is gaining a partnership with eBay supported by the Prince’s Trust, to design 2 products exclusively for eBay 2018 charity Christmas campaign.
10) In hindsight, what one piece of advice do you wish someone gave you when you started out in business?
There will be high points and low points and the low points will surely bring you down but don’t give up, keep working at it and you will succeed.
Want to know more?
March & Powell is about creating bold surface pattern prints married with everyday homewares, producing something new, striking and an exciting fit for the home. www.marchandpowell.com
Follow March & Powell on:
Instagram: @marchandpowell
Facebook: /marchandpowell
Are you a woman in business? Do you have Start-Up Story to share?
Email me at: hellothebizoflife@gmail.com