Elaine Scholtz has managed to turn her passion for creativity and working with her hands into a business, Creative Textiles Designs.
She initially worked out of her house but has recently opened a shop in Gonubie.
An embroiderer for many years, Scholtz decided to dabble in designing duvets and screen printing.
“I designed a duvet and I put a picture up on social media and it turned out to be a hit.
“After that, I went on a course,” she said.
Starting the business from her garage, she gradually grew it and moved to a showroom in Gonubie.
“I had no capital to start the business and received a lot of assistance, a lot of it from Percy Shaw at Brands Furnishers.
“My husband also helped a lot with the set-up by making some of the tables and chairs,” she said.
All the items are designed in-house and include comforters, duvets, cushions, table cloths and serviettes.
“The unique thing is that when you order with us in a particular colour, you will still find it next time you order so you can buy in bulk,” Scholtz said.
She hopes to expand her customer base as a lot of her clientele is outside the metro area.
Ugie resident Elaine Knoetze said her daughter, who owns a guest house in Bloemfontein, saw Scholtz’s linen on Facebook and put through an order.
“I love the décor and how unique it is.
“The items here are things you will not find in any of the shops, and it really is a lovely space,” Knoetze said.
Scholtz saw another opportunity to use the space for something different and included a milkshake bar.
“As an entrepreneur, you have to improvise and do something different,” she said.
“I have 29 milkshakes available, and I saw that my daughter makes fantastic churros, so we decided to add that to business as well,” she said.
Scholtz also employees Stian Van Heerden and Lourens Lottering as sales and printing managers respectively.
For more information, contact Scholtz on 082-493-2530 or e-mail chel@polka.co.za
