Talking Business Journeys with Shona Blair

Shona Blair is a 31 year-old business owner, currently living and working in the East End of Glasgow. She creates illustrations in her second bedroom turned 'home studio'. Shona is the Founder of Shobee Scribbles, with a mountain of success including custom commissions for weddings to her own stall in the Barra's, we talked about shona's business journey.

Shona at Shobee Scribbles stall @ The Barras

Where does your business name ‘Shobee Scribbles’ come from?

It’s basically my nickname, my full name is Shona Blair so the ‘Shobee’ is made up from parts of that and then the ‘Scribbles’ I just liked as it describes what I do and I quite enjoy the little bit of alliteration too, ha! My business is very personal to me so it makes sense to have my name in the branding too!

What is your favourite thing about your brand?

This is tough! There's so many things but I'd say the fact that all my illustrations are hand-drawn, I'm a bit of an old school gal, deep down. I like that that's my USP. I also love connecting with my customers, especially when doing custom pieces and being able to portray something that’s so personal to them through my work. It's so special to know that the pieces I created for them will be treasured and held onto for years to come.

Talking business journeys with Shona

You mentioned that you started your business in 2020, was this due to the lockdowns in Scotland?

Yes! So…I started Shobee Scribbles as a bit of a side hustle alongside my E-commerce role back in 2019 and then decided to go full time with it in April 2020 after I was made redundant from a different E-commerce Executive role at the time. I lost my job due to the effects Covid19 had on the retail sector. I took this as a sign to just go for it and remember uploading a story to my biz IG the same day I was made redundant asking if anyone wanted any commissions. It has been a bit of a journey to say the least…I was full time self employed for around a year between 2020-2021. During the pandemic I created some charity print designs and raised money for Age UK and the NHS Covid19 Appeal.  I am currently working another job alongside Shobee Scribbles again, I think it's so important to recognise that you are still a valid business owner whether you run it part-time, full-time or as a side hustle! 

What were the first steps you took to start your business?

I actually had a bit of practice here, as I used to run my own streetwear brand called Oddly Normal in 2016. I started this after graduating in 2015, I studied Fashion & Textiles at Grays School of Art in Aberdeen. It was there I created a grad collection called ‘Bling & Benefits’ which featured hand-drawn illustrations depicting poverty and wealth in the UK. I then took some of these hand-drawn illustrations forward for use in my streetwear label. I ran Oddly Normal alongside working in retail, so sort of learned what to do and what not to do by the time it came to launch Shobee Scribbles. The very first steps I took for both businesses though, were to secure all social media platforms, website domain and get a trademark sorted! That was advice given to me back then and it's just stuck.

What was the biggest challenge about starting a business during these strange times?

Definitely the cost of living rising. Since running Shobee Scribbles for the last 4 years (wow, the quickest 4 years ever?!) My business has changed so much! What predominantly started as a commission based brand, selling greeting cards and pet portraits…has now grown arms and legs with multiple ready to buy products such as tees, mugs, my whole ‘Spooky Bitch’ range, as well as one of a kind up-cycled pieces! In 2020 the demand for custom commissions was truly overwhelming - I think people had more money to spend on items like that because they weren't able to travel or see loved ones. I do still get commissions which I LOVE but I'd say my tees, prints and reworked pieces are best sellers right now. I have learned running a business in these times is just about constantly adapting.

"I have learned running a business in these times is just about constantly adapting"

Was it something you always wanted to do or did the opportunity manifest itself randomly?

I have always wanted my own brand, I remember being in 3rd and 4th year at uni and dreaming of it. I thought after I stopped running Oddly Normal that I would work in the industry and try to work my way up there…Shobee Scribbles kicked off when one of my friends at my first E-commerce role actually saw some of my older Oddly Normal illustrations and commissioned me to draw her two dogs for her dad as a gift! She said she would pay me in cake ha. It kind of snowballed again from there for Shobee Scribbles. I got the drawing bug back. I think I'm the type of person who is always going to need a creative outlet. I naturally gravitate back to this but I do believe that everything happens for a reason and I wouldn’t have Shobee Scribbles without having Oddly Normal first and following the path that I did.

"I think I'm the type of person who is always going to need a creative outlet"

You sell your work at The Barras and other markets, from your point of view how crucial are these outlets in helping small businesses?

I do indeed! 

I feel like I've done a full circle tour of the Barras at this point.. It's such a wonderfully unique place, both for myself and so many others. I used to intern with the fashion duo Obscure Couture in 2014 when they were based at Calton Entry which is now known as BAaD! I shot a brand intro video at The Barras in 2021 also, before getting my wee shop space. I think it's a huge part of Glasgow's history and is such an eclectic and vibrant place full of character and amazing people. I basically started on the stalls (casually) in July 2022 when it was just on the cusp of being busy again, I then got my own wee shop at London Road in October 2022. As much as it was incredible having a physical space and helping the brand grow,  I did start to find it a struggle to work my job Monday - Thursday, restock on a Friday and then be there every Saturday and Sunday. Fortunately, I moved in with some friends and that really helped me to get a better work/life balance at the time. I'm now stocked at KENNEDY - a goth shop in the Barras that's definitely worth a visit - which has really helped me in being able to focus on other parts of the business/general life and take part in other markets at the weekends.

What has been your biggest business f*ck up so far?

There have been many, ha! I'd say under-charging - I'm probably not even fully there yet but I used to charge £5 for a custom greetings card when I first started out in 2019. Don't know what I was thinking. That's not even minimum wage which is madness but everyone has to start somewhere right?!

What are the biggest changes you’ve noticed in your business and you since starting, compared to now?

I only say yes to the opportunities that I think will really benefit the brand and myself now. I used to be such a people pleaser and say yes to everything but it just ended with me being severely burnt out and suffering really badly with my mental health. You really cannot run a successful business if you don't take care of yourself first and foremost and I have learnt that the hard way…There was a period in 2023 when I was doing my day job, running the business, taking part in many different fashion events, working in a shop, being part of a collective, trying to show up for everyone in my life and still find time for myself. It just became too much for one person. I had to strip a lot back after the realisation that it wasn't going to be sustainable this way and focus on myself for a while. If you don't look after yourself, you won't be there to run your business.

Is there any advice you would give someone looking to set up a small business or someone just starting out?

I always say just go for it! Start that Instagram page, start small and just build upon it as you go. Your brand will change as you go and that's ok. Use the support that's available like Business Gateway and look for possible start up grants. Definitely research as much as you can and always think about who you are selling to!!

If you could collab with any creative (musician, artist etc.), small or famous who would it be?

Omg the list is HUGE! I'd really love to collab with a sports brand, like Nike, Adidas or Umbro…or…BANKSY, aim high, hit me up plz haha.

What is the most valuable learning you’ve had since starting your business?

That would be to always trust my gut, I apply this to business and life in general and it hasn't let me down yet. Also, getting on top of financials really helps. As a creative you often put your admin work to the bottom of the list but taking some time each month to get on top of income and expenses really does help! 

How do you put YOUR stamp on whatever you create, make or do, in life and your business?

This is a bit of a weird one but I always sign AND date (?!) each piece. I know it's quite normal for artists to put their IG handle or sign pieces they create but I've gotten into the habit of adding the date to each and I can't stop!! I'd say that and just my general style of drawing. You can usually tell it's one of mine from the dots and overall look, I'd say.

"That would be to always trust my gut"

Quick Fire Questions 

Who/what are your biggest inspirations?

Buckle up…

The 90s/00s, pop culture, everyday sayings, gritty things, subcultures of the past and present, dark, gothic & spooky but also cute, pink & floofy! AHS, films, current affairs - I have so many things that inspire me and can also find tiny bits of inspiration in the mundane.

If you could design a Shobee Scribbles LEWK for anyone, who would it be?

Oh I'd love to create a LEWK for the icon that is Paris Hilton, the Queen of Y2K and probably the first ever social media influencer to exist? Hell yeah, that's hot. Also really like Lola Young at the moment so would have to say her too and Doja Cat, and also Timothée Chalamet because he just seems so sweet and if I got to meet him we could be goofy together! I had choice paralysis there.

What is your song of the moment?

It's so hard to pick just one! I'd have to say Your Silent Face by New Order because I recently watched Bones And All and the soundtrack is just SO GOOD. Also I love anything Fred again.. releases, he never misses.

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Check out Shona's work

Shona's Instagram

Shona's Website

Etsy

A big thanks to Shona for agreeing to let me pick her brain about her business. ALSO if you're around and free on July 26/27, Shona is hosting her first Solo Exhibition!

GENERATION. Shona's Solo Exhibit: 26-27 July 2024