Please tell us a bit about the nature of your business...
Positive, realistic affirmations around meaningful subjects.
What inspired you to start your business?
I had PND and felt the power of affirmations after my best friend sent me a card saying 'you are stronger than you think and braver than you feel.' I used to look and re-sight that affirmation to myself every morning, and really felt a shift in my mindset. I then searched for and devoured other affirmations. But found some of them unrealistic and too cheesy, so I decided to do affirmations around mental health and other subjects, and develop them with people that had been through the same situations etc.
What was the most challenging aspect of building your business in the beginning?
Working out who your audience are and finding your tribe. Having a belief in your business and idea and not comparing your self to other brands was difficult too.
If you were to launch your business again, would you do anything differently?
I would take more time to get the design of the product exactly right, rather than launching and perfecting later!
What keeps you motivated?
My lovely customers and the messages I get. Plus my friends that have always been my cheerleaders and like and share everything I do. Plus the obvious ones are my two children that always make me want to talk about mental health and change the stigma attached to it, especially as I have two boys. My little business has allowed me to be able to pick them up from school every day and work around my commitments as a single mother.
How do you balance work and family life?
Not very well, but I learnt quite early on to not beat myself up about answering emails and working whilst they are around. As usually parents would be at a physical office etc. However, I am strict on having time slots where we all have an agreement, so if I work for half an hour and then I can dedicate more time to being a mum. Rather than checking emails five minutes here and there throughout the day/ evening.
What’s your proudest business moment?
I think when someone stopped me in the street and said that they had used my cards and that they had made a real difference to them. I actually loved that and will always remember that woman.
What’s been your most successful form of marketing and/ or brand awareness?
Instagram is the biggest for me as I'm able to interact so much on there and provide a look and feel of my brand on my grid, plus I am able to show behind the scenes in stories, and chat a lot on there.
Do you have any positive habits or routines that you feel have attributed to your success?
I use good old fashioned note pads. I set 3 priorities for the day and I always make sure that I work from home on a Monday, have comfy clothes on and book yoga as well. It feels a much nicer way to start the week, and I'm always really productive on a Monday!
What's your favourite business app/ tool/ book/ podcast etc?
I also run a podcast called Positive People Podcast with Fiona Thomas (@fionalikestoblog) where we talk about meaningful subjects but in a positive and proactive way with great guests. BUT I also love Alice Benham's podcast for business and could not live without Canva, Boomerang (which helps you schedule emails and pause your inbox) and 1tap tax for accountancy.
What advice would you give to new entrepreneurs just starting out?
Don't think too much about starting, just get started. One of my fav quotes is by Einstein where is says; 'Life is like a bicycle in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.' You will make mistakes, but you will learn from those and keep moving forward with the learning from those.
If you want to get in touch or see more of Amy's adventures, head over to her website or social media:
https://www.icancards.co.uk/
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