Tey Pei Hwa, 36, bagmaker/seamworker, Rags to Peaches
“Simply put, I make things. I transform textiles into bags that – I hope – liven up people’s wardrobes and add a touch of beauty to their lives. But the essence of Rags to Peaches is really a belief in the labour of love, and the quiet desire to slow down.
Each bag is conceptualised and made from scratch. In every product you’ll probably find resonance of ‘omotenashi’, a deep-rooted Japanese culture that is loosely translated as ‘anticipatory hospitality’. It is about paying close attention to details and being thoughtful about the needs of the customer. My work is deeply influenced and inspired by my travels around Japan, and I hope to infuse what I’ve learnt into the bags that I make.”
How did she get into it?
Rags to Peaches started in 2017 when Pei and her husband relocated to London. He was pursuing his Master’s degree and she took a sabbatical from her teaching job. She had time on her hands and it was the first time she could truly sit down and think about what she really loved and wanted to do.
“Sewing and crafting came naturally to mind because I’ve always loved textiles, and there is something about working with them that forces you to slow down. Both my parents were tailors and artisans in their own right. They came from an era of make do and mend, where things were made from scratch, rather than bought off the shelf. Watching them at the treadle from a young age sowed a seed in me that has flourished into a passion for making, creating and imagining.
“It helped that we were in London, the perfect place for seamworkers. There was no lack of sewing schools, haberdasheries and like-minded craftspeople to connect with. I built my expertise from the workshops I attended around the UK, consulted my parents whenever I felt like I was coming apart at the seams (no pun intended), and slowly built my business right out of our tiny apartment, which explains why our logo is a house. It was tough, but those were my happiest times.”
What satisfaction does she derive from it?
Having total control and oversight of every detail, from the crafting to marketing to packaging. “In a way, Rags to Peaches is really a brainchild I nurtured from its birth, which is why there is such immense satisfaction when customers appreciate my work. It’s more than just a compliment; it’s an affirmation of my being and a powerful source of motivation.”
Tips for anyone looking to start a similar side hustle?
Recognise that having total oversight also acts as a doubleedged sword. “The control we have over our business can be empowering but also exhausting, because there is such vested interest. It can be difficult to put the brakes on ourselves because we want every aspect of the business to be perfect.”
It is absolutely all right – necessary, even – to take breaks, and to be compassionate with yourself, because you want to be in this for the long haul. “When I first started out, I’d sew late into the night, have a few hours of sleep, then wake up at dawn to resume my work. I hardly ate. I’d overthink every negative feedback and beat myself up over it. Over time, it became debilitating and took an unhealthy toll on all fronts of my life.”
Find a community of mumpreneurs whom you can regularly check in with. “We have a Whatsapp chat group and we use that platform to commiserate, share ideas, egg each other on, or simply rant. Earlier this year, when I set up a store at a craft market, these mumpreneur friends were the ones who helped to spread the word. The support you get might be intangible, but it is so important.”
Any savings/investment tips for SAHMs?
Spend wisely by recognising what is considered a frill and what is an essential. “It is tempting to tell yourself that you need the best gadgets, camera, packaging etc. for your business to take off and stand out, but that is not true. Many business owners I know use recycled packaging these days, and that does not detract from the quality of their products. Others, like myself, still use our phones for product photography, and that is totally okay.”
Spend on quality raw materials, because they are going to be part of your finished products, which will eventually be in your customers’ hands. When your customers are happy, they’re going to keep coming back, which is the end goal for all businesses.