small business

Why do you do what you do? I’m a natural problem-solver – if your problem is aesthetic or communication-based! I get a thrill from helping people say and display what is in their head, in a way that helps them get their message to their community with confidence. What advice would you give someone starting out in your field?

Self-initiate projects, and tell everyone you know what you’re doing. Not only do you learn a lot by doing your own thing and putting it out into the world, but it’s also a great way to experiment, meet new people, and just be active in the space you want to be in. What are the best ways to connect

with like-minded creative types? Most creatives are in the habit of connecting online, but it’s the in-person connections that really make a lasting impact. Go to events run by your industry and related industries – it can feel awkward at first to strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you, but that’s what everyone is there for. How do

you know when a project is finished? Sometimes it’s a gut feeling of satisfaction – other times, it’s a feeling of just wanting to be done with it, at which point I walk away for a bit and come back. Then it’s clear whether it’s truly finished, or what the pathway to completion actually looks like! Also, asking someone for feedback helps – a fresh set of eyes can be so useful. What are you looking for in this year’s Good Stuff awards? Small businesses with values that are clearly built into the ‘why’ of the business, or those that offer an alternative in a stale or established industry framework. Businesses that consider how and where products are made and their consumption lifecycle, and that service another group or cause aside from the end consumer. Any final words for Good Stuff entrants?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained!