Tell us a little about the person behind the business? I’m a 45 year old mother of four who works at home, because I also care for my husband who underwent a double transplant in 2009. Due to frequent hospital visits over the past 5 years, I decided to work from home, doing something I enjoy and that is easily transportable.
The night of my husbands transplant, I sat at the hospital and created wedding invitations for a local couple – it helped keep my mind off what was happening two floors above us, at the time.
And now a little about the business itself? I make wedding, birthday, basically any type of invitations; as well as other stationery items.
The business was started about 18 months ago, and thankfully working occasionally at the local scrapbooking store has given me a place to start with advertising.
Inspired Invitations is a one woman operation, which means there are no Chinese Whispers. The client tells me what they want, and I come as close as possible to giving them their request, as I can.
Based in Mornington, I offer a shop at home service, as well as meeting at the local Scrapbooking shop – where the wealth of paper is only limited to the next new release.
How did you come up with your business name? Originally the business was going to be called Invitations by Kaysea, which was my Online moniker, but it didn’t sound ‘professional’ enough for a proper business name, so I asked my husband to come up with a few “I” words to choose from.
I almost chose Inspiring, until I tried to register the business name for a domain, and it had already been taken, so I settled on Inspired Invitations and added “& Stationery” when I registered the business name.
What made you want to begin a WAH business and how did you get started? My husband was diagnosed in 2005 with acute kidney failure, and while making Christmas Cards for relatives, while sitting through his dialysis with him, the nurses kept asking how much I charged.
I was making my daughters 21st invitations the following year and someone suggested I start a business. Because I was in and out of hospital with my husband, I would normally pack my scrapping bag with materials, and just work away while he was receiving treatment etc. I then started taking orders from customers at the local scrapbooking store, where I was also teaching card making by this time.
The business has grown in leaps and bounds in the past few months, eventually I hope to make this a full-time business, and employ my husband once he is fit enough to return to work. He already jokes that he is my secretary.
What motivates you to keep your business going? Finances mainly, but also I love the look on the faces of my clients when I deliver their boxed invitations.
The happiness on a brides face when she see’s her invitations ‘in the flesh’ – it seems to make the wedding that little bit more ‘real’.
I get funny looks from people if I am meeting the bride at the store, because nine times out of ten, I end up being hugged in thanks.
…oh, and I LOVE my job!!!
Do you have a current best-selling product or service? All of them! LOL
How do you advertise your business and which methods have proven more successful? My business cards are at a variety of stores around Mornington. I also have a website, and I advertise on the rear window of my car in letters large enough that no one could miss them. LOL
I have advertised in the local paper, which wasn’t as good as I hoped, and word of mouth. I hope to soon be able to start doing Expo’s soon, but until hubby is doing better I am unable to guarantee he won’t be in hospital.
How do you juggle your family and your WAH business? Any tips for other WAHP’s? During the school holidays, I work at night so that I can be with hubby and the kids during the day, but usually when the kids are at school I head to my office and knuckle down to work.
And finally, what advice would you give to anyone wanting to start a WAH business? If you have something you love to do, and that pleases others at the same time – JUST GET OUT AND DO IT! (Sorry plagiarism of Nike there, but its true.)
Do you offer any discounts to Support a WAHP fans? If someone wants to order invitations or cards – they will receive a 10% discount if they mention WAHP.
Website URL: http://www.inspiredinvitations.com.au
Facebook URL: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Inspired-Invitations/84564386022
Email Address: enquiries@inspiredinvitations.com.au
Location: Mornington, Vic Aus
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