Small Business Stories: Marla Cannon of Olive Me Handmade
For Marla Cannon, owner and chief creative at Olive Me Handmade, inspiration comes from her nature-filled surroundings in British Columbia. What started as an Etsy shop in 2009 has grown to a brand selling children’s clothing, handmade from start to finish, around the world. Read on to learn more about Marla’s work, and how Spoonflower helps her bring her products to life.
What is Olive me Handmade?
As a baby and children’s organic clothing store, Olive me’s original design leggings are the main focus. In the spring/summer season, rompers and shorts in fun and outdoor-inspired themes are added in. The roots for Olive me began growing back in 2009 at my home nestled in the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia. After my first baby was born, the need to create things hit with a force that consumed me, to say I was obsessed with making things would be an understatement. I made everything from quilts, blankets, clothing, room decor and toys. It was the beginning of what would grow to be Olive me.How does Olive me work?
Olive me is a small, handmade shop, not a factory. The website is stocked every 4-8 weeks and there are such amazing supportive customers that the releases generally sell out right away. So during the in between time, everything shows as sold out until the next drop. I totally get how frustrating that can be to go check out a shop only to see that there is nothing to buy when you want to. The perks of choosing handmade is you get a very special piece that is made with love and directly supports the family behind the brand.What is your favorite Spoonflower fabric for your products?
Spoonflower’s Organic Cotton Knit fabric has been a key component since day one: the softness, durability and vibrant printing is incredible, and the best feedback time and time again is hearing how many kids choose to wear their Olive me (and often refuse anything else!).Why Spoonflower fabric?
Back in 2014 I reached out to a designer at Spoonflower whose style I was immediately smitten with; Esther Fallon Lau, known as nouveau_bohemian. Esther’s designs were integral to shaping the nature-themed style that defines Olive me and the most incredible friendship blossomed from that first Spoonflower encounter. Since then, the website has been amazing at fostering relationships with designers all over the world as well as being a reliable business supplier both in their fantastic customer service department and their wholesale program.What’s your advice for someone starting a small business?
From finding key creative partners to making time for family, it’s about the balance between work and home life. Since starting on this path many years ago, my proudest accomplishment is the realization that I can do something that I love and provide support to my family—I don’t think it gets any better than that. You can find Marla online @olivemehandmade.
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