APRIL Hay set up Agate & Ayre after being made redundant from her job at John Lewis during the pandemic. She designs textiles inspired by Scottish geology including cushions, bags and scarves.

Name: April Hay

Position: Founder

WHAT IS THE BUSINESS CALLED?

Agate & Ayre

WHERE IS IT BASED?

Glasgow

WHY DID YOU SET UP THE BUSINESS?

I GRADUATED from art school in Aberdeen in 2016. In my last year of university I thought I would pick scientific study as part of my final project. After graduating I worked in the haberdashery section of a department store and made cushions on the side. I worked full-time in Aberdeen and ended up doing craft markets. I moved to Glasgow a few years ago. I worked full-time with this as a side hustle. It wasn’t until I got made redundant from John Lewis that I could focus on my art. I didn’t want to end up in a job I hated and I am lucky to have a supportive family who told me I can do it full-time.

In primary school I was really quick to pick up reading and writing. I was never pushed towards being creative in school until I found out I was dyspraxic which means you can read numbers and letters but your brain can’t put them together. I was never really told I could run my own business. My school had an amazing art department but I had no role models. I was told London was the place to be but there’s a shift in that now since the pandemic – people want to shop small. I’ve never really been business-minded but there’s so much support out there if you look for it. One of the perks of being made redundant is the New Enterprise scheme through the job centre which helps you set up your own business.

WHAT IS YOUR TARGET MARKET?

I’M 27 but when I started I was a recent graduate and thought I should be selling to people my age but it is definitely more of a luxury market. I wasn’t making any money before because I was pricing it what I’d pay. I have now worked out the cost of my work. My customers enjoy handmade products and they are conscious consumers. I use environmentally-friendly inks and reuse scrap fabric for scrunchies and face masks.

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM COMPETING BUSINESSES?

THERE are loads of brands selling silk scarves but my USP is stones. Lots of my customers are archaeologists and scientists who appreciate the use of stones in my work. Lots of business owners are inspired by nature but in Glasgow it is always community over competition. People love to collaborate. Lots of people say they haven’t seen anything like it when they see my work. I’m working on a big fashion commission for someone in America right now so there is job satisfaction in that. Right now, I’m working with fabric company Wattle and Slate in the Lake District. I have designed an exclusive fabric for them and there has been an amazing reaction from people who have pre-ordered.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN RUNNING THE BUSINESS?

I’M in a unique position as I set up the business during lockdown. It’s an advantage in a way as I don’t know anything different. I used to go round to my mum’s or a friend’s house with samples. Lots of what I do is tactile. I use a lot of velvet, especially in cushions and people want to feel it before buying. Shops say they can’t take on new stockists if they haven’t seen the work in person.

I’ve only been trading for a couple of months so far and 95% of customers are based in the UK. I can’t ship internationally for a while due to Brexit. It’s not a big enough business to absorb the cost of duties and taxes. We offer a bespoke fashion service and have sent a few products abroad. I have a lot of followers on social media and some have had to abandon their baskets at checkout because I have to charge so much for shipping due to the cost of Brexit. There’s a potential market I’m missing out on. The ideal scenario would be to get my work in a shop overseas so I can ship it there.

WHERE DO YOU HOPE THE BUSINESS WILL BE IN 10 YEARS?

I WANT to break into international markets. I’d love to go to Iceland to get inspiration for a new collection. I’d love to have stockists in the UK and further afield but I’m not saying no to having my own shop. I want to grow the business at my own pace.