When did you set up your business and why?

I have been looking for a business idea for years. I remember sitting in a field with my brother as primary school kids making a list of business ideas for the field. It wasn’t even our field. But it could have had a bright future if only we had the cash flow… and ownership.

It wasn’t until I took up fine liner drawing and illustration as a hobby during lockdown in 2020 that I figured out what my business would be. It was like a switch in my brain. I haven’t stopped working on it since and I couldn’t be happier.

I launched a small range of illustrated Christmas cards for Christmas 2021 to test the waters and opened officially at the end of January this year.

Can you explain your process?

More often than not, I don’t start a drawing until I have the finished design in my head first, so I could be mulling over a new card or print for a while.

I always start with a pencil sketch first and play around with that before adding the pen for the final drawing. I scan the finished drawing in and clean it up digitally so I can print copies.

My style has always been very intricate, detailed and leafy, so each design takes a long time to come together, especially my art prints, as they’re bigger and more elaborate than my cards.

What is your best seller?

For cards, it’s the birthdays and thank-you cards, followed closely by my colour-it-in cards for kids.

As for art prints, 'Seedling', 'Grá', and 'Baile' are all top sellers at the moment, but my newest addition 'Ireland' is creeping up the charts.

For Christmas this year, I am doing a collection of woodland animal cards - I did just one of them last year and it was my best seller for that season, so I can’t wait to see how they do this year.

What is it about your business that brings you joy?

Running my business includes three of my most favourite activities: planning, problem solving and being creative.

I love that no two days are the same. I love that there are endless possibilities to my dreams and schemes and I love the sense of mindfulness that comes with sitting with a sketchbook for 20 minutes after a busy day working and mammy-ing.

What are your hopes for the coming months?

I’m really giving this year everything. I’m kind of throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks, because I feel this is my chance.

I’ve been planning some new homewares products that will carry my leafy style and the first of those is very close to being ready to launch.

What advice would you give to another start-up business?

I’d say be open to learning every day. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

I’ve probably made mistakes every single day since my business journey began and, if anything, it has made the process quicker, because I’ve been able to figure out quickly what works and what doesn’t.

Under-promise and over-deliver is another good one. I also did the Galway LEO start your own business course and found that fantastic, so I’d recommend doing one of those in your local area.

Lastly, if you really want it, put the head down and work for it.

Visit www.unaheaneyart.ie.