In first place believe in yourself and your product-Oly

Flowingevents started taking interview of small business owners. We always want to promote small business.For this we started this new interview section. Today our first small business organization is OlyArt. Main person of OlyArt, Oly talked with us about her business, future plan etc.

OlyArt on Volvo Ocean Race 2012, Craft Village

FlowingEvents: Tell something about you and your business.

OlyArt calendar

Oly:

Olyart was established in December 2011 in Galway by two Polish friends who were redundant during the Irish recession.Aleksandra an Joanna found the gap in the Irish card and tourist market and decided to fulfil it with colourful and funny designs. They started with creating a large portfolio of their designs printed on postcards and cards. Until now they created a wide range of products such as cards, postcards, mugs, bags, calendars etc. Also, for the past months, they’ve gained a great audience around Ireland. They stock in many shop around the country and on-line.

FlowingEvents: What big difficulties you faced or facing in this business?

OlyArt Mugs

Oly:

Tourist market is filled with products made outside the Europe - mostly in China, so its very difficult to
beat the competitnion and its pricing. People got used to poor quality but cheap products.

On the other hands, based on all that people are becoming more aware of the products made locally.
For us the most difficult thing was keeping the attractive price without giving up the quality.

FlowingEvents: Do you have website for your business? A Facebook page?

Yes, the website is www.olyart.ie

Facebook Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Olyart/124585997653708

FlowingEvents: Are you promoting your business in internet/online? What is the result?

Oly:

We are selling online (http://www.etsy.com/shop/OLYARTireland

http://www.thedesignbasket.com/olyart ),and promoting our business on face book. Also we’ve just started our blog http://olyart.ie/

Flowingevents: Which social site you prefer to promote your business? Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest?

Oly:

Facebook.

OlyArt

FlowingEvents: What is your future plan about this business?

Oly:

We would like to develop our online shop and sell more online to Ireland and abroad. Also we are planning to develop our designing branch (graphic designing for businesses and private people).

FlowingEvents: Do you think you as a successful small business owner? If yes then Why?

Oly:

We feel successful as since we started we got great feedback and support from various people. We’re getting new customers and orders, we were featured in couple of Irish magazines, going to exhibit on the Irish ShowCase in 2013.

FlowingEvents: Give some advice to new people who are trying to start a business?

Oly:

In first place believe in yourself and your product. Your education background is very important, so keep updated with courses and networking etc. Be open to new opportunities and solutions you’ve never heard or thought before. Be openminded.