Indie Illustrated Merchandise That Spreads Joy

What is your business about?

I run a small online business selling self-illustrated merchandise such as stickers, keychains and art prints/cards! I only hope that my art spreads joy to the people who see them or even buy or receive the merchandise as gifts.
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What made you decide to start your business? When did you start?

I have often gone to art cons and random pop up events since lower secondary school days, and have a huge collection of many indie artists' art prints and other merchandise. I was inspired to make merchandise for over 10 years ago but I only started in the recent few years as I got hold of a digital tablet which made drawing and sending for production of merchandise easier.

Why did you choose to take part in SEM?

SEM caught my eye and I thought that it is a great idea to have all the student entrepreneurs together. Since I sell some merchandise myself, why not be a part of it?

What are some of the challenges you face as a student entrepreneur?

Management of time is definitely a major challenge - a lot of time and effort is spent not only on designing, but sending the designs for production, ensuring they are of good quality, taking decent product photos, organizing orders and responding to enquiries all while holding other part time jobs and trying to pass modules.

What is one tip that has helped you in juggling your responsibilities as a student and entrepreneur well?

Honestly - you just have to do it. Everyone works differently and I don't impose a strict schedule on myself to follow, but I make sure that I get things done asap. I usually do whatever work when I feel like it so it doesn't feel too much like a chore, but that may be bad advice for others. I do save a lot of time by doing work (e.g crafting captions and sending messages about orders or even school work) on public transport on the way to school as it is a ~1.5 h journey!

What motivates you and keeps you going in your business?

I am quite self-motivated as I love drawing and seeing my designs on merchandise, but the customers who receive the merchandise or feedback that they liked the designs do make my day and keep me going! After all, without people to buy my merch I would just be making them for myself :C

Yiu is a Year 3 undergraduate student from NUS Faculty of Science. Her works are on sale at NUS Co-op@Central Forum under the Student Entrepreneur’s Market (SEM) programme.

Instagram: @whatdoyiuthink