BUSINESS
Kent
SMALL BUSINESSES
FROM MEMORIES TO MACRAME , WITH A SIDE ORDER OF UPCYCLING , JESS MARSHALL INTRODUCES THREE SMALL BUSINESSES WITH AN ARTISTIC EDGE
Moonlit Mango
In 2020 , Frankie Power started a new chapter of her life , taking redundancy from her 9- 5 , she set up a small online business selling prints and greeting cards . In little over a year , Frankie was feeling dissatisfied ; what had started as a creative outlet had morphed into drudgery . So to feed her artistic soul she picked up a new hobby : knitting . Knitting quickly snowballed into crochet , and then macrame , and as Frankie explored this newfound love , she found herself unknowingly growing a cohesive product line . So in March 2022 , after months of research into sustainable materials Moonlit Mango was launched , selling handmade eco-friendly products inspired by the jungles of her Filipino roots to the people of Kent and beyond . It is not just her heritage that inspires her designs either , Frankie has taken inspiration from many cultures in her new business venture including the Danish concept of hygge , and the Japanese approach of making things well . We asked Frankie what it is she loves about owning her small business , she happily replied : “ I love the tangibility of making something with my hands and I love finding and trying new things to make all the time .”
moonlitmango . com moonlitmango moonlitmango
Webb & Gray
Having been a successful interior designer for over 10 years , Carrie Webb had always had an eye for potential . So when she found a worn French side table she decided to try her hand at upcycling . A bit of sanding and some grey chalk paint later , Carrie had a suspicion she had something special on her hands , a suspicion that was confirmed when the piece was put on Etsy and sold in record time . So that , as they say , was that . Six years on , Carrie owns Webb & Gray , a thriving furniture upcycling business that gives her the creative freedom she yearned for in her day job . In terms of inspiration for her exciting designs , Carrie explained that genius can strike at any time , but usually does so while flipping through interior magazines , scrolling Instagram or when browsing paint and wallpaper samples : “ To be honest I have so many ideas for pieces and am constantly frustrated that I don ’ t have time to create them all !” With aspirations to expand her Margate-based upcycling workshops , as well as to build an exclusive range to come out just in time for Christmas , Carrie is planning to make the last few months of 2022 her busiest and best so far !
webbandgray . com
Webb & Gray Furniture and Accessories webbandgray
Sojustmade
Sojustmade sprang to life when , while pregnant with her second child , Sophie Jane decided to memorialise her first son ' s childhood clothes in memory blankets and pillows . Having picked up her sewing skills and passion from her own mother , Sophie soon had people begging her to make their own personal keepsakes , some to remember the early years of childhood , some to remember previous lives lost . It was in August 2021 that Sophie took the real plunge , quitting her day job and putting all her time and energy into creating memory bears , pillows and blankets for both grieving families and proud parents . When we asked Sophie Jane to describe her passion for her business she said : “ It ’ s honestly my heart and soul .” With goals to get more involved with the creative Kentish community , Sophie intends to sign up for more craft fairs in the coming months , she also has plans to one day open her very own Crafty Café . In terms of tips and tricks for other budding business owners Sophie had this advice to give : “ I say to anyone out there wanting to start their own little business , DO IT ! You live once and you should spend it doing something you love .”
www . sojustmade . com sojustmade
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