Today we have the pleasure of getting to know Anita from Winnie&Clem a little bit better, so Anita¦.

Tell us about your business: 

Winnie&Clem is a handmade boutique specialising in accessories. Our key products are hats for the entire family and designer bags for the mums.

What inspired you to start your business?

There was no one definitive inspiration to start my business. My mother was a dressmaker, and I learnt her skills at an early age and often dreamt of having my own handmade business.
When I became a mother myself, commuting to Sydney for work became harder and I found myself looking for something I could do from home.
Having endured a long a tough drought on the farm, I was particularly inspired by my husbands motivation and work ethic. I think when you have been through something so heartbreaking, and survived you are then inspired, anything is possible.

Is there an interesting anecdote behind your business name?

Winnifred and Clement were my grandparents. I wanted to use a name that meant something to me.

What is the most satisfying part of what you do?

The creating. I get a buzz everytime I place the last stitch in one of my products, when I press it and pack it to send it out. I get a buzz everytime I finally master a new pattern. I never tire of creating.

Have you tried something in business that didnt work as planned, or on the flip side “ worked out better than expected?

I am stoked with the launch of my handmade bags. I had established myself as a brand of handmade hats and this was going very well, but my passion had always been to make and sell bags. I am so excited that I have now developed 5 different patterns that I love and my customers love. On the flip side I have tried blogging and I found it was just not for me, too many ramblings without direction perhaps!

What would be your best tip for someone thinking about selling their handcrafted goods?

My tips would be to start slowly and test the waters. I also think if you are setting it up as a business (not just a hobby) you need to work like you are paid for everything, give it your all and make yourself accountable.

What is your favourite item you make?

Well this is a tough question, I do love making my bags but I think my Grace Sunhat would be my all time favourite. I worked on this design for some time and everytime I make one of these hats it reminds me of how I can work things out and I can start with a scribble of ideas late at night and turn it into a product that I can make over and over.

Any personal or business highlights in the last year:

The lovely feedback I receive from my customers is always a major highlight. It has especially been an honour to have been nominated by a customer in the Ausmumpreneur Awards and to now have reached the top 5 finalist in the Favourite Handmade Business.

3 things about you (not business related) that people might not know:

• I love to sing Slim Dusty Songs in the car with my kids
• In my life before the handmade industry my job was to register and negotiate the use of Gardasil, the cervical cancer vaccine in both Australia and New Zealand.
• I dont like mangos.

Thank you Anita, it has been a pleasure meeting you, the maker!