How this Irish artist fulfilled her dream of publishing a childrens' book.

From altering jeans for classmates in the '80s to now just fulfilled the dream of writing and illustrating a children's book. Dreams do come true.

Let's look at how Felicia of Felicia Thomas Artist navigated her Creative journey from sewing jeans in high school to recently fulfilling her dream of publishing a children's book.

Pre-order Felicias' gorgeous book here.

Q: Tell me your first memory of Creating and when did you decide to build a business around your work?

I can't remember my first memory of creating - it has always been something I've done. In Secondary school in the mid 80's I took in jeans for people, it was pocket money, the rule was, if you could sit down they weren't tight enough!

I went on to make beaded jewellery for weddings and then taught classes in paper crafting.

When I started painting Polly Dollies I went from craft fairs to supplying gift shops. I could tell you the whole story but it would go on for ages and might not be so interesting!

Q: Was there something you discovered about yourself once you started to run your business?

Yes, the great big ' I'm proud of my work, I'm a real artist' voice in my head hid behind the sofa when it came up against anything scary - which was very often!

Also, I was the queen of lowering the price as soon as someone showed interest - I had to learn the value of my work and my time.

Q: How did you grow your business from the kitchen table to now, was there one thing that really changed everything?

Well, I went from Christmas fairs to monthly fairs, then at one of them, I was asked by a woman who had a gift shop if I would supply her. That was a big moment. Then at another (disastrous) fair, another stallholder told me I needed to join Bite the Biscuit. I did, I learned loads and grew to supply several more shops. I'd say joining that group was the first step in really taking this seriously.

Q: What was or IS the biggest struggle with running your Creative business?

There are two for me.

One is ignoring the voice of Imposter Syndrome, the second is consistency. I get great bursts of enthusiasm to promote my work, to do the recommended steps, find my ideal customer, etc, then I just seem to run out of energy and stop. So it was two steps forward and one step back all the time.

Surrounding myself with my Biccie shaped tribe inside The Biscuit Factory has really helped with my confidence, and I suppose I care less about what others think as I get older.

The second is by listening to Tara, it's all there in the Factory. This is what you need to do, this is when you need to do it, sort yourself out, and get it done!
My current struggle is writing promotional text for my children's book that will be published in September.

Q: Why Did You Choose To Use and Join The Biscuit Factory?

When I first joined Bite the Biscuit I heard about the Factory, but that was for the elite group, the 'real' artists - or so I thought. I didn't think I had any business joining. Then I realised that if I joined then I was taking this seriously and maybe I wasn't really ready for that (even though a successful business was my goal.)

Tara always says 'people buy from people' there is a personal connection.

One day Tara told her story. It was very real, it let us into her life, it was so personal, so emotional. I watched it and clicked on 'Join the Factory' within seconds.

Telling her story wasn't a marketing ploy but it was proof that forming a connection with your ideal customer works - and I wanted to understand that and learn how to do it.

Q: Have you had any reservations about entering the Biscuit Factory?

Totally! The people in the Factory were proper artists, the successful incredibly talented ones. I thought they might be judgemental. I was wrong. The Factory members are fantastic! They are so supportive, they share so much information, they give feedback, there is always someone to answer a question no matter how silly it seems.

Q: What Measurable Benefits Have You Seen?

I have gone from supplying one shop to having the confidence to approach several more. That is because there is a step-by-step plan for everything in the Factory.

During Covid everyone had to rethink the way they sell, I used the LEO to build a website and set up an online shop - again on the advice from the Factory.

During my one-to-one with Tara when I first joined I told her about a book I had started writing when I was recovering from a hand injury. After many re-writes, that book is to be published next month!

I have learned that wanting to do something and believing you can do it is the start of a project, but having proper creative business support from someone who has many years of experience - makes it happen.

Thanks, Felicia for sharing your journey, and I look forward to our next one-to-one session to get that sales copy sorted for your fantastic children's book which was published by Child's Eye publishing.

If you are an ambitious Creative wanting support on your business journey then CLICK HERE to hop on our waitlist.

The Biscuit Factory will open September 13th - 17th for the last time this year.

Categories: Case Study