FAITH MTWANA
This week, we speak to creative couple Vincent and Cadi van der Merwe about their personalisation business Creative Living.
Q: Describe what you do?
A: We make personalised gifts, home decor and furniture.
Q: Tell how you started your personalisation business.
A: We started off manufacturing furniture, and as you can imagine, there were a lot of wood cuts. We came up with a range of personalised decor products using the offcuts. We sold these at markets around town and realised that our products were quite popular. We did take a break for about five years and have only recently picked up again. With the arrival of our two boys, we were just so busy raising them and had to take a break from our business. We are slowly starting to build it up again and the support has been amazing.
Q: What inspired you to work together as a couple?
A: We are both creative people and this little business is a way for us to showcase our talents. Running it together also makes our hearts happy. Most of our customers are super happy with their products and that means the world to us.
Q: How do you divide the responsibilities?
A: Vince is the face of the business and is an excellent salesperson. I am more behind the scenes and involved with the design of our products.
Q: What types of products and services do you specialise in?
A: Home decor products, especially key holders, coffee mugs, beer glasses, T-shirts, water bottles and more.
Q: Do you offer any special holiday-themed products or designs for the festive season?
A: We do have a range of Christmas themed items such as baubles and coffee mugs. This is the first time we have had festive themed gifts, and they are proving to be popular.
Q: What are the most popular gifts you see people ordering around this time of year?
A: Our personalised Christmas baubles have been very popular this year. We also have a range of coffee mugs and glass tumblers that have been popular this season. Our home decor products also sell well during the festive season.
Q: What have been some of your most memorable or unique requests?
A: So many of our customers have a great sense of humor and we get loads of requests for funny personalised gifts.
Q: How do you keep up with trends and do you have a signature style?
A: We do look at trends but don’t really follow them as such. We have a chabby chic farmhouse style and that works for us. Our products are perfectly imperfect.
Q: What has been the biggest challenge in running a business together, and how do you manage it?
A: We both have full time jobs. Vince is a real estate agent at Fresh Lifestyle Properties and I am a senior designer at Openform Studio. We love our jobs and work for the most amazing companies. This little business is an extra income for us and allows us to raise our two boys with all the opportunities that they deserve.
Q: Do you have any advice for other couples who consider going into business together?
A: Listen to each other’s ideas and encourage each other. There are lots of ups and downs with running a small business, you have to support and encourage each other.
Q: How has the business evolved since you started, and where do you see it heading?
A: My husband started off manufacturing furniture only, this slowly evolved into home decor and eventually gifting. We are always coming up with new ideas and have big plans for 2025.
Q: Can you share a bit of customer feedback?
A: Our customers really do appreciate the personal touch. Everything is made with love and our customers feel that.
Q: Are there any projects or goals you’re particularly excited about as you look ahead?
A: Our products have recently become available at The Hops Shop at Emerald Vale Brewery, as well as The Blue Goose Farmhouse Eatery, both on the East Coast. We are hoping to grow in the retail market and launch an online store in 2025.
Q: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
A: Support local businesses. It is so important. There are so many amazing small businesses with fantastic products. We support other local small businesses when we can. This way we can grow our local economy.
Q: Where can our readers find you? (contact details/social media)
A: Instagram: @Creative Living, Facebook: Creative Living Lifestyle.
