Business in Profile

Oli B Designs

1. Briefly describe your business.

Oli B Designs started as a hobby back in 2004 after the birth of my first child Olivia, hence the name Oli B Designs. Whilst on holidays I purchased my daughter a pair of chenille pants at a market. Upon returning I started hunting for Chenille Bedspreads at garage sales and op shops and once I had a few my mother and I started to create our own designs.

Since then the collecting of Vintage Chenille Bedspreads has become and obsession. We expanded our range to include Little Shift dresses, Caftans, Shorts, Singlet tops, Bloomers sets and Funky bibs.

Most recently we have had a new range of our Funky Bibs made overseas to make them cost competitive for our wholesale customers. Oli B Designs can be purchased online through our website www.olibdesigns.com.au or at Perth Upmarket (which I also run) (www.perthupmarket.com.au) on the West Coast of Australia or Maitland Fair or Warners Bay Markets on the East Coast.

2. Why did you start your business?

The business was started as a hobby to create a little bit of money for Christmas and as a past time. Sewing is a common interest that my mother and I share and we have a fun day out at the markets. Like most WAFM’s it provides flexibility and creativity.

3. Has starting your own business lived up to expectations?

This business has started as a hobby and our initial expectations have been exceeded. We are now looking to build up a wholesale side of the business.

4. What have you enjoyed the most about running your own business?

Flexibility, own hours, creativity, challenging myself, meeting new people.

5. What is the biggest challenge for you in running your own business?

Balancing workloads, priorities and children/family needs.

6. How do you manage the juggle of running your own business with family?

Having 2 set work days, working when children go to bed, a supportive husband that is an excellent cook!

7. Do you have a favourite networking opportunity or event?

I also run Perth Upmarket which brings together over 70 of Perth’s talented designers each quarter. I have met many talented people who have helped me run this business as well as my Oli B Designs Business.

8. Do you have any advice for anyone out there who may be thinking about starting their own business?

Choose something that you are passionate about. If you believe in something enough it will happen.