Enterprise Nation

Dolapo James is a freelance architect and a master knitter/seamstress. It’s her crafting talents that led her to start Urban Knit, a business selling hand-made delights that has a presence on a number of craft sales sites. We ask Dolapo how things started and about her e-commerce ambitions. 

What is Urban Knit?

In Dolapo’s own words, as they appear on her site:

“From handbags and purses in bright African prints and batiks, to handknitted, there is something for everyone who'd like something a little bit different.

New designs, shapes and styles are added regularly and we are constantly exploring and experimenting with new ideas.

Each piece is carefully and lovingly put together by hand and one of our most important goals is ensuring that no two items are the same.”

When did you start the business?

Although I have been knitting and sewing for over ten years, I started it formally as a business about 4 years ago. I run Urban Knit alongside being a freelance architect.

You have an Etsy store and your own online store - how do the two compare?

I started with my own website but soon realized that with Etsy there is a built in audience so more people are able to see my work. The same goes for Notonthehighstreet where I also have an online store. I therefore took the decision to link my website to these two stores. Around 85% of my sales on Etsy are overseas, with a large proportion being to buyers in the US. As the business develops, I may look at changing the way I sell online.

We're seeing an increase in the number of UK sites for handmade arts/crafts - do you think this will lead to more people starting handcraft businesses?

Absolutely, an internet connection at home is pretty standard now and with the ease and popularity of shopping online, it no longer takes a great layout of money or time to set something up quite quickly and easily.

What is the one thing you most enjoy about running the business from home?

I enjoy being able to choose when I work, how long I work and what I want to do. It offers such a great freedom that it often does not feel like work!

Dolapo James talks to Emma Jones

• Urban Knit 
   

Note from Ed – We’re going to be looking much more at the arts and crafts market in 2009 so if you have any features you’d like to see or ideas you’d like to suggest, please get in touch!