The hardest part about working from home is sometimes trying to figure out what you’re good at. Often the answer is as simple as looking to your hobbies and what you do with you kiddies for fun. Why not consider turning your hobby or creative passion into a business? At least you know that you will have the drive to succeed, you just have to be smart enough to wrap a business model around your passion to make sure that you can monetize on your passion.

Creative Mum Nicky turned years of design into her current business and shows us that when you have a combination of your passion and clients, family time doesn’t have to be compromised.

What is your name and how many children do you have?
Hi, I’m Nicky Perry and I have one son, Leo, who is 16 months old.

What is your business and how long has it been running?
I own and run a company called Creative Current, which is effectively 2 different businesses under the Creative Current name.
Firstly Creative Current is a boutique design company, that is I offer creative services, mainly graphic design (print) but I am known to dabble in other areas like photography and web design. I have worked extensively in New Zealand, the UK and Australia for over 11 years in various design environments, including promotional literature, in-house marketing, direct mail, information design, publishing and magazine design.
Secondly I run an online shop @ www.creative-current.com where I sell my t-shirt designs. This came about after I did a screen printing course a couple of years ago and has really grown from a hobby. I have recently started designing kids tees, where I use a combination of sewing and printing to achieve unique “one of a kind” applique type designs for todays “unique” kiddies.

What was the light bulb moment when you decided that you had to start your business?
I started Creative Current in Oct 2006 while I was still working full-time for “someone else!” But at that stage it was just to setup my website to sell my t-shirts and hoodies. Then in March 2007 when I had just found out I was pregnant I was made redundant… so I picked myself up and found some clients and began working again, but for “myself!” Was the push I needed, apart from the stress of course!

How do you balance work and family?
Leo is now in care 2 days a week, so that gives me the “no distractions” time I need each week to get big projects out of the way, and I try to fit in as much as I can while he is sleeping, which also means some late nights. But I try to keep my family as my priority and I have a VERY supportive husband who allows me to do just that.

What is up ahead for your business in the future?
I’m looking into getting my tee’s out into the public eye more as I’d love for this side of the business to really take off. So in the short term I’m looking at some of the fabulous markets that are on around Auckland. But in the long term I’d love to get stuff into retail outlets.
The creative services side of the business certainly keeps me busy for now and I have some great clients, but I’d be happy to talk to anone who is interested in working with me.

How has your life changed from BC (before child)?
Life is ALOT busier and Leo is like a little inquisitive whirlwind, but a pure joy! I think I am more motivated now that I have more responsibility and a little being dependent on me, but I really enjoy being a mum so it certainly isn’t a drag. We were always quite careful with finances etc so life hasn’t changed too much and we still have “treats” when we want them! Life has changed definitely for the positive, we love being a family and try to do as much together as possible.

What have been your greatest accomplishments in business? And your greatest struggles?
Repeat business is always great, on both sides of the business! It’s great when a client keeps coming back for the pure reason that they find you fabulous to work with! Plus it’s a real buzz when the same people come back for more of my t-shirts and even better when you see them on the street!
Greatest struggles… sometimes motivation late at night! But I have a real pride in what I do and always strive to put in 110%. It was particularly hard when I was starting up, especially with the morning sickness, but it’s the dreams of how great things could be that keeps you getting out of bed in the morning!

How can people find out more about your products?
Go to www.creative-current.com to find out more about my creative services as well as browse through my online store. I am now taking orders for my kids tees so you can choose your design and get the size you want even if it’s not available online.

What is your favorite product from your shop?
Oh that’s a hard one. I love lots of different things! At the moment though it would have to be the kids stuff and I have made some really great merino/jersey blankets and what I call “romper rugs”. My mother-in-law made me one when Leo was born. I just can’t get by without them and just had to share!

Thanks, Nicky

Want to win a Creative Current Tee just for mum? Visit Creative Current and tell me in the comment section whether you would prefer the My Aotearoa or the Nature Chaos t-shirt. If you win, you get to choose one in either S, M or L.

For another chance to win, post a link to this competition in your Facebook profile (http://girlstoys.co.nz/2009/03/creative-teescreative-tees/). You’ll have to come back to this page and comment to let me know that you have posted it to Facebook.

Entries close Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 5pm
Open to NZ Residents only.
Winners will be picked at random from random.org

Good Luck!