My new business Mum on the blog this morning is Louise Jenkins owner of IllustratorLou - take a look at her interview below :)
Who are you?
Louise Jenkins
What do you do?
Artist & Illustrator
When did you establish your business?
August 2012
What made you start your own business?
I was a senior designer in the tableware industry for twelve years and worked for Royal Worcester. I left in 2008 when my first was born. Within a year of me leaving, not only they, but also Wedgwood Royal Doulton and Spode had all gone into receivership. So with the industry I worked in pretty much vanished, I had to decide what to do next. I had initially considered retraining, then I found myself pregnant again, so this wasn’t an option. While pregnant my husband persuaded me to start drawing again to build up a portfolio. Then when my second son was seven months old, my husband built me a website, created a work Facebook page and signed me up to Twitter. Louise Jenkins Illustration was launched and within a month I had my first job. Since then I have opened up my own Etsy shop – Illustratorlou, where I sell greetings cards and gift prints.
What do you love about working for yourself?
I love the fact that i can work to my own agenda and set my own briefs. It has also led me to be more experimental with my work. Which is something I rarely got to do while working for a large company with tight deadlines.
Is there anything you do not like about working for yourself?
It can be difficult when I need feedback from others, not only regarding my illustrations, but also about business ideas. I have found Twitter is great for this, as you don’t find many other budding illustrators at the local toddler group!
Is there anything you would go back and do differently if you could?
Only that I hadn’t waited until my second was born, though things seemed so much hectic when my first was small.
What advice would you give to a Mum considering starting her own business?
It is really hard work, especially if, like me, you only have evenings in which to do work. I always think that branding is really important. It has to be clear and will make your product stand out from the crowd. Also, read all the business advice you can and when you’ve read it, read some more.
I love the Love Struck chickens in mint and pink. Gorgeous colour and it would look really pretty in my kitchen
@caro_mad
Carolin recently posted..Silent Sunday – 27 January 2013
I would like to chose the my sunshine one, its sweet
I would choose Kissing, sooo lovely! Love the designs!
Kel recently posted..Silent Sunday
I really love the Kissing card
Sammie Hodges recently posted..Reward Chart with a difference
Handsome fox
Louise recently posted..Get Fit Feel Epic Competition
I adore the “My Sunshine” card, it’s gorgeous!
I love the heart flutter
Handsome Fox print. It’s lovely and would go perfectly in Harry’s room.
Lauren recently posted..My Week That Was {4}
The kissing one is so sweet
x
Karen Langridge recently posted..Interesting Fashions
Absolutely love your illustrations Louise. Good luck with your business x
I love them all to be honest but my favourite is probably the Kissing card
Maria @ Feisty Tapas recently posted..Why not buy Vaillant boilers, ecoTEC included
I love the two chickens defiantly my choice
Katrina Day-Reilly recently posted..Kats nail art designs competition
fox for me
ET Speaks From Home recently posted..Our Snowman
The Handome Fox print
Love Struck
Handsome fox.
Erica Price recently posted..Tesco Finest Cereals Review
heart flutter.. love personalised touch
Louise Edwards (@mygorgeousboys) recently posted..The Gallery: Bond
I really love the heart one at the bottom
Debbie recently posted..10 Uses for Squishy Bananas
It would have to be the Handsome Fox print, as my surname is Fox, I could give it to my husband, he is a handsome fox!
I like the Kissing print, so cute, I wondered does Louise do commisions, I love her style x
Kara Spencer recently posted..A Not So Typical Morning In Our House
Handsome Fox is seriously cute xx
Gemma Mills / Chamberlain (MyMillsBaby) recently posted..Things that seemed important before I had Dexter
The handsome fox print is so lovely! I also really like the kissing card
esther james recently posted..Smart ideas for Christmas from Morphy Richards
Oh the kissing one!!
becky recently posted..Valentine’s Day Craft: Recycled Heart Art
I like the chicken one.
Emma @mummymummymum recently posted..Drawing, shapes and counting
I like the kissing ones!!
Kara recently posted..Now is Good – Film Review
I would loveee one of the ‘You are my sunshine’ cards – it’s one of my favourite cards ever. So cute! :]
I really love the Love Struck print and the heart flutter cards! these designs are all stunning though! thankyou for the lovely giveaway!
I would choose My Sunshine. Love the design and colours.
I love the kissing one x
I love the Kissing card, very cute.
Love his one http://www.etsy.com/listing/120803866/love-struck
Love your work Louise! Your style is so unique and a pleasure to look at, I can definitely see you going far!
The birds of a feather print is lovely
Difficult choice, I like the folksy looks of the fox, but would probably choose Two birds of a feather (In Valentine’s variety of colours), they would make my kitchen look lovelier.
Galina V recently posted..Baking with Suzy: Love Heart Jam Biscuit Baking Kit
I’d love the My Sunshine card
TwoLittlePaines recently posted..It’s A Rocket!
I love the use of pattern in your work, my particular favourite is Handsome Fox
gorgeous!!