What inspired you to start A Crafty Alternative?
I always loved art while growing up and decided as a 17 year old I wasn’t good enough to do it as my profession (someone should have hit me!) so after going into a corporate environment (banking), I found I really needed a creative outlet. I used to do arts and crafts as a hobby and then started to teach part time. I finally took the plunge last year and went full time.

What do you love most about running your own business?
Doing something I feel proud of and enjoy. I also love teaching and get a real buzz when people like the class and tag me in the pictures of their creations.

Tell me about your biggest challenge so far and how you got past it?
Having too many roles in my life and feeling like I’m not doing any of them very well. When you have your own business you work constantly but being a mum doesn’t stop because you need to send some emails. I’m not sure I have nailed it yet, I’ve accepted that you can’t run a full time business part time so we are increasing our childcare which I think will make a big difference. I’ve also become stricter with myself, forcing myself to do things that are just for me like going to yoga or meeting a friend for dinner so that I feel I have some balance.

What has made the biggest difference to your business?
Investing in the things that make you look like a bonafide real company not just a one man band. I spent money on my brand, website and search engine optimisation so that I felt I had a professional image to pitch to companies and as my “shop window” for customers. I also invested time in my business plan which has been invaluable in helping to focus my time and energy in the right places rather than spreading myself too thin.

How do you balance work and family life?
It’s very tough. I have a weekly planner which I do every Monday lunchtime where I write down everything that needs to happen that week (including family things) and allocate time slots for the different activities. That way I don’t waste time trying to figure out whats next (I used to panic the second my son fell asleep, feeling like I only have 2 hours and don’t know where to start) or feel like I should be working when I’m at the park with my son.

If you were to craft the perfect business success, what would be the 3 main elements?
1. Have a business plan & review it regularly — check where your business is coming from, understand the profitability of different streams and focus time on the right stuff

2. Accept you can’t be a fulltime mum, entrepreneur and housewife because you’ll have a nervous break down! Decide what needs to give and get agreement from people to support your decision.

3. Pay for specialists where it counts — you can spend an inordinate amount of time on things you aren’t good at and when you invest that same time in the things you are, you’ll be far more productive. Spend money on accounting software, web developers or even get admin help. These are time vacuums.

What tips do you have for other mums who want to start a business?
Read my blog post where I share the 10 things I wish I’d known! http://www.acraftyalternative.co.uk/mum-entrepreneur-10-things-wish-known-start/

What’s next for A Crafty Alternative?
Over the next 3 months my main focus areas are:

1. Building the awareness of my brand and classes locally

2. Changing my website to enhance my Search Engine Optimisation for key search terms

3. Building my press contacts and expert status through writing for publications and big brands as well as running press events

4. Expand my network of other business people to create a greater support infrastructure (a virtual team really)

5. Make money!!

Learn more about Tia and her crafty classes at A Crafty Alternative.