Aug 26, 20203 min read

Willow Wednesday Women - Daisycat Designs

This week's wonder woman is the lovely Tori Dunning from Daisycat Designs.

Tori has been a supplier of Willow for about 1.5 years now and her stunning cards continue to be a bestseller. You see, they are so much more than cards. Some come with beautiful wooden hanging decorations, wooden magnets or even seeds to plant. I'm so excited for you to see her new Christmas range arriving end of September! Here's Tori's story...

1. How did your business come about?

I was made redundant whilst 7 months pregnant and the size of a whale, I could barely move! My brother gave me some graphic design software to pass the time and I just started tinkering. Months later a chance encounter with a lady selling baby legging at my local playgroup led to me agreeing to have a stall at a craft market that she was setting up. She would later become one of the most wonderful friends I have ever known! I almost cried when my first customer bought 10 cards!

2. What advice would you give someone wanting to start their own business?

Do what you love, that way work will never be a chore… until it’s time to do your tax return!

3. What's the best thing about being your own boss? What's the worst?

The best thing is being able to manage my own time and work in my pj’s without anyone knowing.

The worst thing is other people assuming you are always available, I’m not sure everyone sees it as a real job when you work from home. Could be my fault for never setting any boundaries?

Also, being so close to the fridge and the kettle is a bit too tempting, I’ve developed bad grazing habits!

4. How has lockdown been for you? What coping mechanism works for you? Have you had to adapt your business to fit in with the 'new normal'?

I wanted to be the person who has it all under control, perfectly juggling work and home-school and living the blissful Instagram worthy life. At the start I had this idea that this would be the perfect time to do all the jobs that I don’t usually find enough time for, but actually I have never felt more time poor. Plus my parent guilt has been off the chart!

On the plus side I converted what was a messy outhouse in a new studio in the garden! This dream has been a long time coming!

5. Where's your 'Happy Place'?

Anywhere by the sea looking for treasure, but not in the sea, I’m a land animal!

6.What's your favourite song?

Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder, you can never go wrong with Stevie Wonder

7. Who would play you in a movie?

That’s hard for me as I’m not a big film watcher, I asked my partner and he said he wasn’t sure, probably someone a bit ditsy, but if I could arrange for it to be Scarlett Johannsson he would be extremely happy about that. What a cheek!!

8. What did you want to be when you were younger?

Anything to do with animals, I love all the creatures. My dad wanted me to be a jockey, I’m definitely small enough.

9. What advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t be afraid of change, I have to remind myself of this all the time

It’s good to be different… something I am always saying to Daisy,

Study subjects that you love, not necessarily the ones the get the best grades in.