How good are your observation skills? Good enough to be capable of turning your life around? Do you know good observation skills can take you places?
If you weren’t quite aware of the fact, hear us out. The tiniest details in your surroundings can be the start of something big. Sometimes, all it takes is a second, a minute detail which can give birth to a thriving idea. You just got to observe.
For our next conversation with a small business, we bring to you Olena from My Bookmark, who used her exemplary observation skills to bring about one of the most creative ideas we’ve ever seen. Let’s find out what!
WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR UNUSUAL BOOKMARKS! OH AND WITH THAT NUMBER OF SALES, KUDOS TO YOU! WE’RE CURIOUS TO KNOW, WHAT MADE YOU START YOUR SHOP?
The idea for the leggy bookmarks came to me in a very visual way. I was at my friend’s home when in the middle of the mess in the kids’ room, I saw a doll lying in a book with its legs sticking out of it.
Instead of asking anyone their opinion about this concept, I decided to check whether they would buy it or not. The only effective way to see if the product will bring money as “simply talking about it is all theoretical”.
By the time I made my first bookmark, I have already had a shop on Etsy, where I had been selling handmade jewelry, which I eventually stopped doing as it was more time-consuming yet less popular than the bookmark project.
SO HOW IS IT COMING ALONG, OF LATE? ARE YOU HAPPY WITH WHERE YOU ARE?
Yes, I can say I’m satisfied with my project. But I always think of making some more interesting crazy products, like bracelets, brooches, and magnets. I have many creative ideas.
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE BEHIND YOUR SHOP! WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THEY ALL ARE.
In 2011, I used to sculpt the bookmarks individually, but soon I realized that it was impossible to handle everything myself. The sales grew and I needed more helpers.
In 2013 there were 5 of us and at the present moment, our team consists of 15 people. I still invent the designs and control the process of sculpturing, but my team makes all the process – modeling, painting, packing, doing marketing, providing customer support, do the bookkeeping and so on.
I’ve surrounded myself with happy, warm and genuine people, and we all work like a perfect machine. And one of the best things – we all are really passionate about our work.
HOW DOES YOUR FAMILY SUPPORT YOU IN WHAT YOU DO? PLEASE TELL US ABOUT THEM.
Despite my parents never being fond of visual arts, they supported me and encourage me to keep doing what makes me happy. My husband also says that I have to stay true to myself and not give up on my dreams.
And when my two daughters of 2 and 3 years’ old come to my office and tell me that their mom’s workplace... Read more