In conversation with Holly Hardy
“I think its important to know your strengths and weaknesses when running a business.”
- Holly Hardy
Image: Holly Hardy
Holly Hardy is the founder of Sourced by Holly, a homeware brand launched in the summer of 2020. Every item Holly has for sale is a piece she has personally fallen in love with and owns a version of herself, including the stunning Suzani cushions, scalloped soap dishes and vases, striking glass candlesticks, and block printed tablecloths. Her shop is always evolving as she discovers new and delightful pieces, for instance she recently launched a line of incredible vintage oil paintings which she sources from mainly Sweden.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I live in Herne Hill with my Boyfriend, Lewis and our 1-year old puppy, Bobbi.
We moved to Herne Hill only two weeks before the country went into the first lockdown and so the timing certainly wasn’t ideal, especially considering the grand plans we had the for property. It is a beautiful Victorian terrace house which was in great condition, full of original features but it needed a sprinkle of magic to make it feel like home. Fortunately works were able to continue during the lockdown, albeit at a snails pace due to shortages of supplies and lack of tradesmen.
Tell us about your business, how did you come up with the idea or concept? What were your first steps to bringing the business to life?
Sourced By Holly was first started in June 2020 when I began sourcing and collating beautiful pieces for my home. Working only part time due to years of spinal problems, I was able to dedicate some of my down time to scouring the internet and online auction houses to find some real treasures for the house. It was during this process that I began building relationships with suppliers and forming my own distinct style.
I started uploading progress pictures to Instagram, and consequently I began growing my social media and in turn having enquiries about my home wares. From here it became clear that there was a market to sell my findings.
What was your overarching mission/aim at the outset?
Initially the business was small and a hobby, although as my following grew on social media and the sales increased, I had to set some targets for myself and the company. Truthfully these are still a little wishy washy at this stage and the goal is to keep growing loyal customers, make some great sales and enjoy the process.
What is the main inspiration for your business? Could be a person, another business or an idea.
I am fortunate to come from a very creative family, my mother has always been incredibly skilled at making ‘something from nothing’ with such attention to detail. My oldest sister (I am one of three) Amy, worked with Colefax and Fowler for many years so I learnt a lot of what I know from her.
Since moving into our house, I became obsessed with interior design and spent hours and hours looking through interior magazines, books and the internet. House and Gardens and World of Interiors are both excellent magazines which I find truly inspiring and highly recommend.
Were there any initial challenges that you came up against, if so how did you overcome them?
Sourcing products from across the globe during the pandemic has brought many challenges. I’ve faced difficulties with postal delays and issues of lost parcels, which can be very stressful. Similarly, initially not being able to go out and visit suppliers due to Covid-19 restrictions was a real concern.
Despite the limitations, I’ve managed to build brilliant relationships and work with such professional and accommodating artisans. I am hugely excited to get out and visit them as soon as I’m able to, it will be brilliant to see each piece being lovingly created in real life, rather than through a phone screen!
Can you tell us about your first “win”? Do you have your first sale framed in your office?
When I first started the company I decided to not sell items I was making myself. This avoided the worry and hurt if someone didn’t like it or sent it back because it wasn’t good enough. However, I do have a real passion to sell something unique and exclusive that I had designed myself, which is where the line of scallop and spike mirrors come from. These are completely my own design and are made in the UK – I am extremely proud of them. When these launched, there was so much interest and love for them. We have completely sold out of one colourway which was unbelievably exciting and a real achievement. They’ve also been featured in a few magazines (25 Beautiful Homes and Homes and Antiques). There are now just a handful of mirrors left!
What’s been the biggest lesson – about yourself, your abilities or just general life lessons – you’ve learnt since starting your business?
There is no doubt I have learnt absolutely masses since beginning this journey. I’ve learnt to trust my instincts and be confident with my decisions. When faced with questions I don’t know the answers to, which happens far too often, like when working with interior designers who ask such industry questions like “can we do a purchase order?” or “what’s your MOQ for trade?”. I just didn’t know what these things are. Unlike other jobs, there was no boss to ask.
I often feel the pressure to give immediate responses as I know how important it is to not leave people waiting. But I think it’s important to get the balance right of ‘faking it till you make it’ and asking for help when you need it. I often remind myself that confidence is key and that has been a real help along the way. Confident people give reassurance to those around them and allow others to feel secure.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
One key piece of advice came from my sister when I began the process of designing my house, she said “find a piece of furniture, a piece of art or even a fabric that you completely love and build the room around it”.
I found it so overwhelming initially working out what would work with what, what was a good clash and a bad clash. And then I realised, that really, if you love something, you can make it work with other things you love. Their home is full of things the couple love and each piece has meaning to them, and it’s this that a makes a house a home.
How do you find the work-life balance? What strategies and routines do you have in place to cope with the work-life balance?
Work-life balance is especially tricky when you have mobility issues. In January I underwent a spinal fusion, which meant I was bed bound for nearly three months. I am still recovering now and sadly know I will always suffer with chronic pain in my back and nerves in my legs.
My recovery was particularly hard as Sourced by Holly was beginning to grow rapidly and I was finding it hard to take photos for the website while I was so immobile. As my recovery continues, I have to be careful not to overdo it, no heavy lifting and no awkward bending. It is limiting at times and can be frustrating but it’s partly my spinal issues that led me to having my own company so I try to be grateful for this opportunity.
Would you recommend any resources that have been useful for you when starting/running your business?
I studied Business and Marketing Management at university, although I admit there was less studying and more drinking - I got a terrible grade as I was really there just to party. A terrible thing to admit!
But, somewhere along the line I must have learnt one or two things because occasionally I seem to know what I am doing. I think its important to know your strengths and weaknesses when running a business, I can certainty hold my hands up that I am awful with numbers, which is balanced out with my strengths in creativity. Lewis, my boyfriend, has been amazing with helping me along the way, he set up some fancy spreadsheets and occasionally glances an eye over what I’m doing to make sure I am not going to go bankrupt any time soon!
What would be your advice to anyone wanting to start their own business?
My advice would be to just go for it! There’s way more positives to running your own business than negatives, I completely love what I do and feels blessed that its really happening. I am enthusiastic for the future as I have many beautiful and exciting new products in the pipeline.
How can we support your business? Share any links or information that will be useful to our readers!
Please check out the website to see the latest pieces for sale. My Instagram account is full of photos which I hope will inspire you too!
Website: sourcedbyholly.co.uk
Instagram: @sourced_by_holly
