On this overcast Monday morning (well in WA), we are lucky enough to spend 5 minutes with Rebekah from My Friend Matilda and here is what she had to say:
Tell us a little about how your business came to life.
I always wanted to start my own business, it was a dream since I was a little girl but this did not come about until this last year. My son Kayden (now 15 months) was a surprise baby… One sunny day after some routine blood tests I got a call from the doctor telling me I was in fact 5 months pregnant! (for the complete story visit my blog HERE – it will make a lot more sense).
With non existent maternity leave and a lack of savings we knew that we were about to battle with one income and a new mortgage. This is probably what kick started my brainstorming for a business I could run from home part time while I am a mum.
I also got given a lot of things when Kayden was born. The most memorable by far were the handmade gifts. They were full of love, took time to make and were unique!
Can you remember your first sale? What was it? How did you feel?
My first sale was from a lady named Carla in Chicago of all places! My little website was getting global customers! She purchased a Trailing Cherry Blossom Tree Decal . It felt AMAZING, I was filled with excitement and called my husband straight away screaming down the phone that “Chicago purchased a decal, just now, tree with flowers!!!!!”. I will never forget that feeling!
Is there an interesting anecdote behind your business name?
There sure is..I have a Cavoodle (Poodle cross King Charles Cavalier) named Matilda. She was our œfirst born. I thought name sounded better than “My Friend Kayden” and I liked that the word Matilda is associated with Australia too. I also picture our son Kayden one day saying “This is My Friend Matilda” when referring to his dog.
Where does most of your creating take place? Show us … if you want.
The good thing about My Friend Matilda is the work can pretty much take place anywhere that I have access to my laptop… This can sometimes be a bad thing as it is hard to detach my every day life from work – I was completing orders on my wedding day!
I do have a lovely office that I work from with amazing natural night, I can look outside into the garden and watch my husband play with Kayden or admire my veggie patch and lemon tree!
What is your favourite item that you make? Show and tell!
I love so many of my decals but the most popular and the one that got my customers attention when I first opened My Friend Matilda is the Trailing Cherry Blossom Tree. I also love the Safari Playground decal and the Flower Wall Paper look decal.
What is your most favourite handcrafted item you have brought?
Probably the nappy covers from Stacy Bayless . I use them ALL the time on my son when its too hot for anything but a nappy and a singlet. They are adorable!!
What handcrafty thing couldn’t you live without?
Ooo thats tough..probably my Lunch Skins. They are reusable, environmentally friendly snack and sandwich bags. I use these every day for carrying around snacks for myself and my son in my nappy bag or work lunch box!
Just gorgeous! But ooooh, that is a great “surprise baby” story!!