BUSINESS
Independence Day : Kent ’ s Small Businesses
THE SECRETS TO SUCCESS
OVER THE SUMMER OF 2020 , IN THE MIDST OF LOCKDOWN MADNESS MANY PEOPLE TOOK UP A FEW EXPERIMENTAL HOBBIES . MAYBE IT WAS BAKING BANANA BREAD , OR EXPERIMENTING WITH MACRAME , OR CULTIVATING YOUR VERY OWN VEGGIE PATCH . FOR SOME TALENTED FOLK THESE BOREDOM INDUCED WHIMS LED TO DISCOVERING REAL PASSIONS AND OTHERS EMERGED FROM LOCKDOWN , NOT WITH A SHAME INDUCING QUARANTINE HAIRCUT , BUT WITH A NEW FOUND TALENT THEY WERE ABLE TO MONETISE . IN HONOUR OF ALL THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE POPPING UP ALL OVER KENT WE SPOKE TO KENT INDIE TRADERS WHO ARE ON TOP OF THEIR BUSINESS GAME , AND ARE READY TO SHARE THEIR TIPS AND TRICKS . SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO LET ' S MEET THE LOCAL BUSINESSES AND LEARN ALL THEIR SUCCESS SECRETS THEY HAVE SO GRACIOUSLY SHARED . BY JESS MARSHALL
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Crafty Basketry
Marianne van Niekerken had a career as a reserved , stressed-out PA , but after taking up a basketry workshop and discovering her love for it , she is now a confident business woman on a mission to banish stress from our modern lives through this relaxing , methodical practice . In 2013 Crafty Basketry was born after Marianne decided to start selling the baskets she made at markets . ‘ At the markets and fairs , people started asking me if I ever organised workshops as they were interested in learning the age-old techniques as well .’ Jumping forward to 2020 , Marianne has turned her side-hustle into a full-time job , and offers her stunning weaving skills through commissions , repairs and teaching courses where people can challenge themselves and experience the joy and distinct sense of achievement basket weaving creates . ‘ In the very much serviceorientated world we live in today , creating something using your head , heart and hands is fulfilling . It ’ s like yin and yang ; everything in nature needs to be in balance . That means that you need a balanced existence as well , balancing out your senses , balancing your energy levels , and it is only then that you feel happier within yourself .’
Crafty Basketry has a basket for every occasion , do you want a woven dog bed - done , want a cute , rustic way to declutter your space - Marianne has you covered , want a sidecar for a 1911 Triumph - she has been there , done that and got the T-shirt . They also blend perfectly with any style of home , from indie chic to rustic , and traditional to contemporary and modern . When asked what advice she would give to anyone wanting to make a career out of a hobby , she has this to say ; ‘ If you have a hobby that you ’ d love to do all day , but you think it won ’ t make you a living , please think again ! If your hobby is your heart and soul , then you will be prepared to do anything to make it work , and people sense that from the quality of your work . Give everything your all and never think that it won ’ t work . Try it . You may fail from time to time , but at least you ’ re learning about what works for your business and what doesn ’ t .’ You can find Marianne ’ s commissions , along with her workshops and repair services via Crafty Basketry ’ s social media pages , as well as at local fairs and markets .
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