LifecanbetoffWelcome to the third edition of the Small Business Focus series. This week we hear from Mary Wright and her husband Rob who together, run the stationery subscription service, Spotlight Stationery.
As a stationery lover (and perhaps addict) myself the idea of having a selection of notebooks, pens, pencils and other stationery items mailed to me on a monthly, or bi-monthly basis is like some kind of dream.
Spotlight Stationery are, I would say, in the luxury end of the market with the boxes containing quality items of stationery that any addict would be delighted to receive.
Mary and Rob also run Stationery & Art, an online stationery supplies website
I was first introduced to Stationery & Art when I won a Zebra disposable fountain pen in a competition.
I’ve since bought other colours (and need to order some more!).
Let’s meet the people behind the Small Business Focus!
Spotlight Stationery
Tell us about you both?
I went to art college in Plymouth in the eighties and have had 30+ years career in graphic design. All but the first two of them as a self-employed designer. I’ve specialised in brand identity design and have been lucky to work with clients from many different industries.
Rob is originally from Liverpool, went to Nottingham University but has spent his whole career in Cheltenham working in IT.
He is the company tech-head; I don’t understand all the things that he’s good at!
It’s a partnership that works really well; I look after the creative side of things, marketing and social media and Rob is in charge of the computer networks, finance and book-keeping.
We collaborate on product sourcing, visiting trade shows, producers and stationery shops. Lots of stationery shops!
What inspired you to start Spotlight Stationery and Stationery & Art? Which came first?!
I was a subscriber to a stationery subscription box but cancelled because of changes made to the service. I missed my regular stationery fix and thought, well, how hard can it be?!
When I mentioned this crazy idea to Rob he was so enthusiastic that I suggested we run the business together and Spotlight Stationery was launched in December 2015.
I’ve been obsessed with all things pencil and paper from a very young age so it’s the perfect excuse to indulge that passion!
Late last year we were offered the chance to take over an online stationery shop and it seemed like an opportunity too good to miss.
We spent a few months re-branding and updating the website and relaunched it in January.
Having a does-what-it-says-on-the-tin online shop is the perfect complement to the subscription model, and many of our customers buy from both businesses.
Stationery subscription boxes and subscription boxes in general have become a big thing in 2018. how do you make sure that yours stands out?
We recognise, of course, that there are many other stationery subscriptions for people to choose from, and we have deliberately positioned Spotlight at the slightly more expensive end of the price range so that we can include the premium products that we think our subscribers will love.
These include well-known brands as well as independent, artisan producers and we try as far as possible to include items that cannot be easily found on the high street.
Other aspects which differentiate us are our fundraising for a charity, where we make a donation for every box sold, and our support for young illustrators.
The box contents change every month but the one constant is an exclusive set of 4 postcards featuring the work of talented recent graduates. All their contact information is included in the box and on our website blog.
If you could create one stationery item which isn’t currently available – what would it be?
A self-sharpening pencil!
I love a notebook and can never resist one that has beautiful thick pages and a pretty cover.
what are your stationery weaknesses?
Fountain pens. I hadn’t used them since high school but since launching Spotlight they’ve become my favourite. And don’t get me started on ALL THE INKS…
Also pocket notebooks. I carry one with me everywhere now and no longer have to try to remember where I put that last piece of paper I scribbled some notes on.
I like lined pages and a sewn spine.
What have been the highlights for you as business owners?
We’ve met some wonderful artisan stationery producers. Many of them are young and just starting their careers and their enthusiasm for what they do is inspiring and infectious!
In all we’ve found the stationery community to be very friendly and encouraging.
Also, given my relatively short stationery career, I was thrilled to be invited to join the judging panel for the 2017 Stationery Awards.
What has been your biggest challenge?
We want to surprise and delight our Spotlight subscribers every month.
The pressure is on us to continue to source stationery that customers might not be familiar with but will love.
With Stationery & Art we can’t, and don’t really want to, compete with the large online retailers, so the challenge is to be more creative, find new ways to attract customers and then keep them coming back.
What does the future hold for you and your brands?
When I first thought about having a stationery business, it was meant as a fun sideline, something to do in between large design projects.
Happily, Spotlight has taken off to such an extent that these days I fit some design projects around the stationery business!
We’d like to grow Stationery & Art to a point where it matches Spotlight in terms of turnover, so we’re working on ways to make that happen.
Another aspect of the business we want to improve is corporate gifts, such as branded journals and stationery gift sets for new employees, favourite clients or conference delegates.
We haven’t marketed this widely yet but intend to change that.
My future aspiration is to have a range of Life can be Toff stationery, particularly some funky notebooks.
what would your top tips be as a new business starter?
My number one tip would be to make contact with lots of people who’ve done the same thing and learn from them, particularly from their mistakes!
Etsy would be a good place to find stationery makers and I’m sure you’ll find them helpful; after all, everyone loves to talk about their business!
Spotlight Stationery subscription boxes cost £25 per month or you can opt to subscript to a bi-monthly plan.
Thank you Mary for taking part in my Small Business Focus. It’s been fantastic to hear about you and Spotlight Stationery.
Peace out!
Jangles x
