At the time of writing, 36% of the brands on CREOATE are female-founded. As a brand co-founded by our very own inspiring female entrepreneur, Ashley Horn, we're more than a little bit passionate about highlighting women-owned businesses.
For this reason, besides wanting to showcase these two amazing CREOATE brands, we're interviewing the female entrepreneurs who founded them. Read on to learn more about their inspiring business stories.
The women in question
Kayleigh Bowles founded the pet supplies brand Fetched with the view that every dog and its owner deserves access to high-quality, stylish grooming products to use at home and on the go. She has since expanded its range of fun, fashionable products to offer just that. Supplying everything from combs and brushes, to towels and accessories — Fetched's products are high-quality and built to last, with versatility and practicality front of mind. All products have been carefully selected so there is something for every dog, no matter their size or breed.
Meanwhile, Priscilla Fernandes is the founder of Slow Moon, a lifestyle brand specialising in gifts in the realm of colourful stationery, beauty, and homeware products. A pattern textile designer by trade, Priscilla first created eye pillows for herself and friends from scraps of her own designed patterned fabric, and they were a hit! With her passion for yoga and all things eco, Priscilla was determined to make her products organic. So, Slow Moon's organic cotton eye pillows were born!
With this year's International Women's Day 2024 just around the corner, we're asking these two inspiring female entrepreneurs about the role of all things digital in their founders' journeys, amidst the many challenges and wins they've faced along the way.
Has technology played a big role throughout your business journey? If so, how?
Kayleigh: Yes, without technology, Fetched wouldn't have been able to gain the reach it has so far. Social media especially has played a huge part, along with online platforms like CREOATE. This has allowed us to connect with customers all over the world.
Priscilla: I am a print pattern designer, and while at university I screen printed a lot by hand. As soon as I started working in the industry, I pretty much designed everything digitally. I use design tools by Adobe and am always finding ways to make things easier. I've recently bought a tablet to design on the go. It's so important for me not to be at my desk all the time, so I can feel inspired to bring new ideas and designs to the business. I use notes on my phone to jot down all my ideas. Not just product and design ideas, but also ideas for marketing, collaborations, newsletters and more.
As an independent business owner, what challenges have you faced —digital or otherwise— and how have you navigated them?
K: There are always challenges, each and every day. The key is to put everything into perspective and decide which challenges are going to hugely impact the business, and which ones won't. That way you can prevent yourself from being overworked and ensure you're directing your energy to areas that will positively impact the business. Cost is a huge challenge we always face. To stand out in a hugely saturated market, it often seems you have to spend a lot of money on SEO and other areas. In the absence of a huge marketing budget or campaign, we have relied on the amazing support of our social media followers, customers and supporters to help with positive word-of-mouth recommendations and advertisements.
P: I guess it depends on where your strengths lie. For example, I don’t find that creating content and posting on social media comes naturally. I have got better, and I would say that preparing content and photos and keeping them in a folder has helped me with this. Another challenge I have found is navigating the world of SEO for my website. I am still learning as I grow, and this is an area that I may hire some help with in the future.
Which are your favourite tools for making your life as an independent business owner that little bit more manageable?
K: I would say it's important to be strict on your time. Set boundaries and stick to them. I'm a big fan of organisation, and setting out my goals on a daily and weekly basis keeps me focused. If I'm not being productive, it's important to walk away for the day and come back tomorrow. Rome wasn't built in a day, and adding huge pressures to achieve the impossible will only slow you down. Making time for home life and separating the two is also really important.
P: My online calendar is great. I do have a paper one too, but I find that I use the online one more because I can add things to it at any time. Later is a great app for planning social media. I don’t plan all my social media on it, but it’s particularly great for keeping posts consistent. I also love using the Todoist app to keep my tasks organised, and I have a physical desktop timer. It helps me keep track of how long I spend on a task and encourages me to take regular short breaks.
In terms of digital platforms for ecommerce, when did you decide to start selling wholesale, and how has CREOATE helped in your B2B journey?
K: B2B was always one of my main focuses. It was important for me that the products were ready for wholesale from the start. It's already an area I'm comfortable in since I have previously been a buyer within wholesale. This background has helped when it comes to knowing what a customer would expect from a company, and what was needed to support and work with retailers of all sizes. CREOATE has been a fantastic platform for me to showcase my products to independent retailers. The process of sale is smooth and straightforward meaning more potential customers are likely to use the platform to find us.
P: I started selling wholesale in this way right from the start. I saw how as a new business, joining CREOATE could only help more eyes get on my brand. And, as I am a small business there is only so much outreach I can do on my own. Even if I do gain stockists on my own, it’s great to direct them to CREOATE because it makes shipping a lot easier.
What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
K: All the dogs of course! Being a huge dog lover and dog mum myself, I just love being surrounded by them. I love meeting new people, and nothing beats the feeling you get when you see people and pooches enjoying your products. This is by far what makes it most enjoyable.
P: I really enjoy hearing when my products have helped people. It is nice to know that I can play a part in helping people to feel calm and well-balanced. Since introducing the wellness stationery to the brand, I have received so many compliments from stockists and customers. This really inspires me to design and introduce new products to the range.
Which women inspire you the most, both in business and your personal life?
K: I am very fortunate to be surrounded by so many inspiring women within my family and friendship group. Especially those who are working for themselves and raising a family too. My husband and I have just had our first child and it definitely comes with its own additional challenges. I am so inspired by all the working mums out there who are juggling mum life, work life and home life.
P: There are so many women I see and admire because they have set up a business of their own like me. Seeing their growth journey is always inspiring. Cody from Cai & Jo and Eniko Katalin Eged are two such people. I am also a huge fan of two influential women who through their podcasts have been a great help to me: Mel Robins who hosts The Mel Robins Podcast, and Zoe Blaskey who hosts Motherkind. Both are women and mothers in business. I started Slow Moon soon after having my first child. It was from listening to them and the other women they interviewed that I felt encouraged to start a business. And, in my personal life, I am lucky enough to have many friends that continue to inspire me. It is important to surround yourself with people who uplift you and support your growth and we do this for each other.
Do you have any advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs and business owners?
K: If you believe in an idea, definitely go for it. Use others as inspiration and surround yourself with like-minded people, but don't directly compare yourself. We all have to make our own paths and goals, people will always be at different stages, but it doesn't mean you won't get there, too. I sometimes regret not starting my own business earlier in life, launching Fetched at 34 years old. However, all my experiences along the way helped me build the confidence and skills to launch Fetched so it was definitely the right time for me. So, don't put too much pressure on yourself, you will know when the time is right and absolutely smash it.
P: It is not an easy ride but don’t be discouraged. It’s best to get started with where you are and what you have right now. You will grow so much faster if you action your ideas and learn from them. You don’t need to wait until everything is in place. I will also say, join a community of like-minded business owners. It’s invaluable for feeling supported, because these people will understand your wins and struggles more than your friends and family. I love Small Business Collaborative and The Resilient Retail Club.
Thank you ladies! Shop both Fetched and Slow Moon wholesale on CREOATE and support these two fantastic female-founded businesses today.
Looking to support more female founded businesses? Be sure to use our 'Values' filter and choose 'women-owned' to narrow down your search.
Not registered with CREOATE yet? Sign up now and shop wholesale with us today.
Browse Popular Categories at CREOATE: Wholesale Jewelry | Wholesale Gifts | Wholesale Stationery | Wholesale Beauty Products | Wholesale Mugs | Wholesale Homeware | Wholesale Pet Supplies | Wholesale Gourmet Food | Wholesale Garden & Outdoor | Wholesale Baby & Kids Products
