Tell us a bit about you?
Hello, I am Katie, I am a mum of an 18 month old little girl, living in Brisbane with my daughter, hubby and our beautiful dog.
Tell me a bit about what you were doing before you got in contact with Business Jump?
I am a graphic designer, I was on maternity leave and due back at work when I first heard about Business Jump. We really struggled to get full time daycare when I was due back, so I extended my leave for an extra year and decided to try something new.
Why did you want to start your own business, what is your why?
When we were growing up my Mum had her own business, she was able to come to our sports days, do tuckshop duty, help out in the classroom. I want to be able to do this for my kids, I want the flexibility to be able to be there when they are sick, and not feel guilty for letting a boss down for wanting to be with my sick daughter when she needs me more. I want the freedom and I want to do something that I am passionate about that will contribute to me and my family, not the bottom line of someone else’s business.
How long had you wanted to start a business before you actually took action and took the jump?
I had always toyed with the idea of starting something of my own, and I have always had freelance clients being a graphic designer. But it is hard work doing freelance design, so I wasn’t completely sold on starting up a design business.
If you hadn’t started your own business what do you think you’d be doing right now?
Probably doing full time design work.
What have you done differently because of Business Jump that you wouldn’t have done if DIY’ing?
I have learnt so much, I think the best thing I have learnt is planning for the future and trying to set everything up now so that it can be automated. So I will be able to put in less work and reap more reward.
Tell us about your business?
My Business is called Modern Stationery Co. It is a carefully curated directory of beautiful stationery from all over the world. It is a unique setup that allows you to shop for exactly what you are looking for in one place. The perfect birthday card, a new notebook, planners and journals, wrapping paper, invitations or prints. It makes me so happy and it is what I am passionate about. I have always been attracted to beautiful stationery, there is something so special about a brand new notebook, it is full of new beginnings and opportunities. There are so many amazing stationery designers out there, and I get to celebrate them all.
How did it feel when you got the reins to your business to take out into the world?
Haha, it was very daunting. I have done a bit of web design before, but getting my website handed over was petrifying! I think I spent a week looking through everything, and then I just decided to go with it. Posted my first instagram post and started contacting businesses to see if they would like to list. I asked Nat and the girls so many stupid questions, but everyone was so lovely and more than willing to help with anything.
How many hours a week do you work on your business?
It differs every week, but the more hours I can put in the more smoothly things seem to run. I can dedicate 10-15 hrs most weeks, and then little bits here and there in between toddler sleeps and when hubby gets home from work.
What are 3 of your most special ‘business wins’ you’ve had to date?
In one day I had three people approach me to list on the site. Might not seem like much, but it was after a bad week business wise and illness wise at home and it was the little push I needed. Growing my social media accounts and people loving what I am doing also.
And hitting 50 vendors on the site.
Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Tropical island, cocktail in hand relaxing after a busy few weeks skiing in Colorado! Haha. That is probably too far fetched, but I would love to have built my business up to at least be matching what I would have earned in my full time job.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone thinking about starting their business?
Do the research, invest a little bit of money in training and learn everything you can about SEO!
Where can we find you?
www.modernstationeryco.com
www.instagram.com/mode
www.facebook.com/moder
