My Story

Hobby To A Business

Having my own business has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. It’s a dream that I never really thought was possible, but always hoped deep down that it would happen one day. After many years of doing different jobs and different qualifications, I found a job I’m very passionate about which is working as a teaching assistant in a school. I did always assume that after doing a job as a teaching assistant for couple of years I would train up to be a teacher but to be honest, I soon fell out of love in the idea of becoming a teacher with the amount of work and late nights that are required I realised it wasn’t for me.

If someone had told me 5 years ago that I would be running a business and writing blogs I would of told them that they are crazy. Life is an amazing things and will take you on an amazing journey you just have to follow it. I have turned my hobby something I love doing into a business.

I have had many people ask me how I changed my hobby into a business and why did I want to do it as a business if it was something I enjoyed so much. Well here is my story.

I can tell you that it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s something you have to keep at and keep doing if you want it to be successful. I began my journey back at the beginning of 2015 when I created an item for a friend. They asked me why I didn’t sell my items and do it as a business but I just said I enjoyed doing it as a side line.

I always told my family that I would love to have my own business one day. My grandad always told me to follow my dreams and to never give up and keep going until you achieve it.

In April/May 2015 I decided the time had come to set my own business up and make my hobby a business. I came up with a name Annika Louise Designs and added a few pictures to a group I created on Facebook. I was very nervous about doing this because I was worried people wouldn’t like my work and people maybe negative towards my work but I was wrong I did have a few responses back about how amazing and talented I was and that my work is beautiful. Getting positive comments and feedback from people was great and helps ease any nervous you may have. I loved to create things and enjoyed making things unique.

I had a number of people ask about how I created things and if I would look to do any videos or instructions on how to create some of my art work, crocheting work, painting tips, where I get my things from and how did I learn how to create beautiful pieces of work. At first I said it was something I was going to look into do. Within the last year I have looked in to becoming a blogger and am currently in the process of writing some blogs for you all. I would love to give others some of my knowledge on how I have created some stuff. Videos I am still currently looking into and maybe something I will do in the future.

I am very passionate about art I have loved art since I was young and something I never get bored off. I could look at paintings all day everyday. I also really enjoy crocheting something that I taught myself how to do. At first I never thought I would get the hang of it but with practice and keeping at it I was finally able to crochet.

After a while with sharing my Facebook group and joining in on networking ladders I received a milestone which I never thought would happen and that was that I had reached a 1,000 likes on my group. It is such a lovely feeling seeing people engaging on my group and posts.

After having people like my work and my group I decided I wanted to set my own website up where I could add my work and also write blogs.

I dedicate all my time in creating and writing blogs to continue to make my business grow. I have created a life for myself where I can live my own life the way I want to. If I want to have an afternoon off to relax I can. If I want to go and sit in a coffee shop with my laptop or book I can. If I want to go to the beach for the day and work I can. I do have to shake myself sometimes to see how far I have come within the last few years. I don’t think I would be where I am now if it wasn’t for my friends, family and my partner who believed in me. So a big thank you goes to them for telling me I can and not to give up. I am living a life I have always wanted.

In life nothing is handed to you on a plate you have to work for it. I live with the attitude that I can do it. I wanted to share my story with you to show you that if you put your mind to it anything is possible you just have to work at it and keep going until you succeed. You will get knock backs in life but I believe that makes us a stronger person and makes us who we are. Every little step you take is a step closer to your dream. You don’t need to have everything figured out or a plan or everything you want. Life has a funny way of leading us on a path to achieving our dreams.

For me I am not finished I want to keep achieving big things and keep sharing my knowledge with you all. It is normal to set yourself new goals to push yours even further. This is what life is all about. I do have big plans and big dreams for my business and I will keep doing them until I achieve them all. I am so happy that I do have amazing friends, family, parnter and a great community of people through my group that back, support and care about me. I don’t think any of this would be possible if it wasn’t for them.

I would like to thank you all for taking the time to read my story. I hope you have enjoyed it and it has inspired you in some way to achieving your dream or reaching your goals. Never give up. 

Annika Louise. xxx