At Wigoders we love creativity and passion! That's why we're here after all - to share our passion for interiors and help you create a beautiful home that you can enjoy year after year. 

As part of our Get Creative Campaign we've put together our In Focus section where we put our questions to creatives and designers from gardeners to painters, craftspeople to architects and more. If you'd like to get involved just get in touch and we'll get right back to you. 

Meet Rachel Dawson, Owner of Doodlebiz , Custom Made Gifts.

Tell us about a little bit about your business?
I make a wide range of frames and gifts for all occasions. Using a vinyl cutter I am able to personalise each piece to make it truly unique. All my pieces are made to order, so each is a little different depending on what the client is looking for. I love being able to work with my clients and bring their ideas to life. Whether it’s a gift for a birth, wedding, Christmas, anniversary, communion or even a little something for your own home, I’m sure I can come up with something really special. It’s so great to hear how happy people are when they have received something I have made especially for them.

What Inspires you?
My kids actually do. They are so proud of the fact that I have my own business and tell everyone how their mum has her own business and ‘makes stickers’!! They make me want to keep going and succeed.

What do you consider is your greatest achievement?
Doodlebiz is!!! 5 years ago I took a redundancy to be at home with my children. I have always worked and found it quite strange when that stopped. So to keep my mind busy I bought a cutter and started making wall decals which in time became Doodlebiz decals. I have taught myself everything from using software and machinery to the workings of social media. It’s not easy running a small business online, trying to be seen with social medias ever changing algorithms, but I am really proud of what I have achieved.

What is your greatest indulgence?
Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love the sun. So my greatest indulgence would be sitting in it all day everyday if I could. During the sunny weather last summer, I even took to working outside in the evenings just to feel the heat.

What piece of advice would you give someone interested in starting in this field?
Get your pricing right. Remember to charge for everything, including your own time!! Have a look at similar businesses and their price point. Don’t do your creativity a disservice by under charging for your work.

What was the most stressful part about setting up in business and how did you overcome it?
What I found most stressful was getting my name out there and trying to be seen on social media and locally. There is no point making all these lovely pieces if no one is seeing them. So I joined some networking groups online, which has been brilliant with the added bonus of making friends in the same situation all ‘work at home mums’ in a wide range of business’. I also advertised on the buy and sell pages in the surrounding counties.

Plans for the year ahead?
I am hoping to concentrate on my website this year and sell in some of my less bespoke pieces in local shops and markets.

Where can people find out more?
  /doodlebiz
  /doodlebizdecals