As part of the Creativity Pays campaign, we have been speaking to local businesses, artists and designers in Chesterfield who are where they are because of their love for art and design.
Lisa from Shop Indie told us about her incredible maker’s shop and her own creative business.
Describe your business
“We have two parts, Altered Chic which opened in 2009, selling personalised gifts, cards, ribbons and wooden wall art. Then in 2019 we decided to open Shop Indie. We have done a lot of craft fairs and we just wanted to celebrate all the British makers out there. It’s nice to get individual gifts and to get something more unique.”
What inspired you to start a creative business?
“I have always been creative, I made gifts for family and friends and my parents owned a craft shop when I was younger. My partner persuaded me to do a craft stall at Bakewell, selling cards and personalised wooden letters. It all started from there.”
Are you self-taught or did you take any courses?
“All self-taught, I set up everything myself and now have hired 3 other employees that help with the businesses.”
Why do you like being a creative business?
“It’s always something I wanted to do. I had a couple of jobs working for others but it wasn’t for me. I like being busy, being creative and working my job around my lifestyle with 2 young children.
I enjoy designing products, seeing them develop from start to finish and then the customer buying the product at the end.”
Do you enjoy stalls and talking to customers?
“I worked mostly online at first until I opened the shop, so it’s been really nice seeing the returning customers and having feedback. I’ve seen the community of makers build, met people at craft fairs and in the shop, and seen these makers develop and advise one another.”
How do you stay creative?
“Every day talking to customers. They ask for something that I haven’t thought of before. When I lose creative flow it’s great working in the shop, as I speak to lots of other creatives, and I love a bit of Pinterest.”
Is there an increase in the demand for shopping small and locally in Chesterfield?
“The council has helped a lot with the ‘shop small’ message, and more and more people are. Slowly but surely, we will get there.
Spending a pound more goes towards those creatives’ wages. We sell over 100 makers in the shop, supporting 5 employees’ wages. The money goes so much further, a lot more goes into that initial design, it’s not mass produced so it costs more to make.”
How do you think things will change as we come out of lockdown?
“Shop local, shop small, ethically, environmentally: it will go back to that ethos. Shopping with a small local maker is more ethical – this is appealing to every age.
People are being wary at the moment due to the pandemic and worrying about finances. All the fairs have been online and hopefully, they’ll return to normal later in the year. “
Have you got any advice for students starting a business or wanting to be in the creative industry?
“I did art and textiles at A-Level and I think students should be studying creative subjects.
In terms of starting a business, just go for it! Everybody in business needs to start somewhere. Your skills or business will develop into loads of ideas. Etsy is a great place to start if you want to get into the business side of thing. There’s a local Etsy team in Sheffield that are great for help and advice.
If you have an idea and you think people will like it, give it a go. If you are passionate and confident and have a good drive, you’ll do it. I’m 12 years on and still doing this as a living.”
Have a look at Shop Indie’s incredible range of local makers
The Love Chesterfield Awards
Nominate Shop Indie for the Love Chesterfield Awards! The awards celebrate the town’s favourite food and drink and retail businesses, entrepreneurs, regeneration, contribution to the local community, apprenticeships and sustainability.
Find out more and nominate your favourite Chesterfield businesses today
