This week we chat with Angela Nielson, owner of Aspiregenix, a unique arts and crafts business in East London.
Q: What service do you provide?
A: We have a variety of handmade unique gifts and souvenirs. We also provide personalised gifting for individuals and corporate.
Q: How and when did you decide to start offering your services?
A: I started making items for markets and fairs many years ago. This blossomed into a small business.
Q: Which type of gifts do you specialise in?
A: We specialise in all gifting; from the generic items that we make and sell at our markets to more personalised custom orders. We have something for everyone. Our list of items include microwave therapy bags, resin keyrings in different shapes, beautifully made denim pouches, pencil bags, book covers, and book bags. We also make custom mugs and other custom vinyl or sublimation items. We also have many little trinkets for small children.
Q: What skills or experience does one need to be able to do what you do?
A: I don’t believe one needs to have experience or any skill set in this industry, anyone can be creative. Anyone willing to learn and open their minds to what they can achieve, will be successful. I do recommend patience as a skill though.
Q: What is it about your work that you love so much?
A: I thoroughly enjoy networking with people and creating something that they have in mind, and combining that with little of my own flair to achieve an item they will love
Q: Do you work alone?
A: A creative person never works alone. We always have some young inspiring minds adding an opinion, in this case, my daughter is often assisting me.
Q: Where do you find your inspiration for the various pieces that you create?
A: Various sources inspire one to create a similar piece. For most of the unique or custom orders, the client will have what they want in mind. We work with that as a primary source, tweak it and at the end, the client must like it. The generic items we make and sell at markets often have some inspiration from social media platforms like Pinterest.
Q: Are there any challenges that you have encountered and how do you overcome them?
A: My biggest challenge is myself. I will often look at something and think what a mess this is, and that item would be the item that someone adores and sells out super-fast. Other challenges include making items in my favourite colours or choosing fabrics that catch my eye, and this is not necessarily what clients purchase. We have to keep this in mind at all times.
Q: Who is your target market?
A: My target market is easy, it’s everyone. We really do have something for everyone.
Q: What are the most popular items right now?
A: Our most popular items are the sea-theme keyrings, microwave therapy bags and custom orders.
Q: What are some of the goals or future plans that you have for your business?
A: Our goal is to interact more on social media, build a website, and eventually open in the retail space.
Q: What advice do you have for someone who is also interested in starting their own business?
A: Starting a little business sometimes is harder than a large, franchised business because most of the time it’s just you and you must rely on the sales and orders to get ahead. You need to stay dedicated and committed with little room for excuses. Action is the foundational key to success.
Q: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
A: Small local businesses really need your support.
Q: Where can our readers find you? (contact details/social media)
A: Readers can contact me on 082-799-0795 (call or WhatsApp). WhatsApp is preferred, as I can trace the calls and orders. Email address is aspiregenix@gmail.com and we are Aspiregenix on Facebook.
