Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Wendy M. Bailye, owner of The Felt Studio, located in Samford, QLD, Australia.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am a professional feltmaker and international textile educator. I run my business, " The Felt Studio," from my gorgeous home in Brisbane, Australia. I live in the country, surrounded by eucalyptus forests and nature. I create handmade felt in many forms-artworks for the wall, wearables, and jewelry, and each piece tells a story. I also do archival limited edition prints of my artwork. My customers are worldwide, and many are textile artists and people interested in creativity. I have moved into the realm of online teaching recently and am about to launch the next round of my popular class, "50 Shades of Grey, Felt!" It is open for registration now and starts on February 12th. It is a course in the felt making but also on creativity. It is aimed at both beginner feltmakers and advanced feltmakers. I have had fabulous feedback and have enjoyed teaching in this new format immensely. My students came from all around the world, which made the class such a buzz to teach.

Tell us about yourself

I have always been a creative person. I have loved making since I was a small child. Degree studies in teaching, special education, art, and home economics, cemented a very creative pathway in life, where the development of creativity and the arts is paramount. I have always been an entrepreneur. In my early days, I made jewelry as a 10-year-old and sold it to my parent's friends, ran art classes as a teenager, owned restaurants and catering businesses, then an organic food shop and gift shop where I taught feltmaking classes and sold my art. I now run a home-based gallery as well and work full-time as an artist. It has been a very creative life. I love to make, and I love to encourage others to develop their creativity. It is so important in this crazy world we find ourselves in. Truly, nothing else serves us like our creativity. To be creative, one has to be very self-motivated. The day is never dull. There is always something new to learn and do. I only make one-off items. I do not do production work. Everything is unique. I find this challenging and inspiring all at once!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think having to pivot my creative life during Covid has been a huge accomplishment for me at my age(I am 61). I have had a wonderful career traveling worldwide and teaching creativity and feltmaking. Not being able to travel was a huge blow. Overnight my life changed, and my tutoring career, as I knew it, ended. It was devastating. Learning to navigate the technology of online teaching and to film and create a successful course has been challenging, but I have learned SO much. Being able to support me by creating my art and teaching is something I am proud of especially being a feltmaker in a sub-tropical country like Australia! The "pivot" required me to dig deep and find ways to continue to make a living. I opened a beautiful home gallery, developed a new line of archival prints of my feltwork, and designed and created my online course. Phew, it has been busy.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

There are a few things actually that I find hard, not just one! I think having to have your business on your mind all the time is hard- there is no mental rest from it, really, ever. The pressure of having to be completely responsible for making your own income is difficult. I think being a business owner in the creative sector is particularly trying because you have to always be creative, and creativity, as we all know, ebbs and flows. I have had to really learn a lot about the creative process and how to navigate its ups and downs and still stay productive. Of course, managing technology and the financial side of running a business is a challenge too. Even with all these things that are difficult, I must say a lifetime in my own business has been a joy, and I am so grateful for the very interesting and flexible life I have created.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Remember your business and the way you run it is, first and foremost, a gift to others. Make sure you keep your customers front and centre of your business. How can you help them? How can you add something positive to their world and the world in general, and how can you be of service in the best possible way? What do you want to give to the world? It is not about what you can get from others. It is what you can give to others.
  2. Don't try to do everything yourself or do it alone. Pay people to help you do the things you are not good at or do not enjoy, and spend your time doing the parts of your business you love. Get free advice by asking and creating networks with others, and don't forget to get paid advice. It can be money very well spent, as it is often a false economy to try to do everything yourself-especially things you don't have a clue about! Do courses and educate yourself if there are new skills you need to learn. Try and have a business buddy who works in the same area who you can download to when needed and who will understand your journey, someone who will celebrate your success and also commiserate with you when you have difficulties.
  3. Look after yourself. Nurture yourself. You will be working hard and have a lot to give others, but you can only give if you look after yourself. Balance computer/ business time with real people time and time in nature. This is essential for good health and happiness AND business success. Set up good rhythms and routines in your working life. Family and friends make a rich life-don't neglect them.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://wendybailye.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.bailye/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendybailye/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-bailye-57a580148/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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