UK Enterprise Awards 2021

120 | UK Enterprise Awards 2021 Apr21228 Best Specialist Craft Shop - South West England Based in Wiltshire, Yarn for the Soul is a specialist crafts shop selling hand-dyed yarn and fibre, knitting, crochet and spinning accessories. Following its well-deserved success in the UK Enterprise Awards 2021, we got in touch with Katie Mairis to find out more. As a fierce supporter of small businesses, Yarn for the Soul has built its success by championing community over competition. To start, Katie provides a brief overview of the firm and offers more insight into its clientele. “With an emphasis on searching out unusual and quirky, yet useful knitting, crochet and spinning accessories, and a keen eye for top quality products at affordable prices, I have become a leader in my sector. The majority of yarns sold are hand dyed by myself in my Wiltshire Studio, making Yarn for the Soul the perfect one stop shop for that special crafting someone. Additionally, Yarn for the Soul runs a variety of very successful subscription clubs which are posted across the globe on a monthly basis. Recently, I have added my only commercial stocked yarn which is of a British company using British wool and therefore supporting our own economy further still”. Across the South West there are several specialist craft shops, however as Katie goes on to explain, Yarn for the Soul’s ability to work to a budget and its variety of products has enabled the business to stand out from the crowd. “As a very niche business, I typically target the high-end market and strive for excellent quality whilst aiming to create the perfect gift package. Regardless of the budget, I aim to create a gift parcel using a variety of colour schemes”. As a sole trader, Katie is responsible for all business operations, as she elaborates further. “Here at Yarn for the Soul, it is solely me who orders the undyed yarn, dyes the yarn, completes the accounts, searches for products to stock, runs the website and puts together orders and gift parcels for clients. Every parcel has my logo as a seal and every package has a hand written address to offer clients that personal touch. Alongside all of this, I am a single mum with two daughters”. Although the recent outbreak of COVID-19 forced the shop to close, Katie used her time effectively to improve the social media presence of the business as she points out. “Over the past year I have focused on developing my online presence with live streaming on Instagram and Facebook. With the crafts industry relying on seeing, touching, and smelling products, live streaming has ensured clients can see I am an actual person behind the website. Now lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease, I don’t think it will be too long before clients return and are able to allocate themselves treat budgets again”. Finally, Katie discusses the future prospects of the business as we look ahead to the remainder of 2021 and beyond. “Moving forward, the future of Yarn for the Soul looks very rosy. Every client has had to work hard to earn the money they choose to spend with me, so naturally I will continue to strive to ensure that money gives my clients value and beautiful products in return”. Company: Yarn for the Soul Contact: Katie Mairis Email: [email protected] Web: www.yarnforthesoul.co.uk Address: 11A Silver Street, Warminster, Wiltshire. BA12 8PS Phone: 01985219737