In conversation with Olivia Huntingford

“I’ve also learnt that you can’t take criticism to heart; all you can do is try your best, and use criticism as a catalyst to improve.”

- Olivia Huntingford

Image: Olivia Huntingford

Olivia Huntingford is a London-based artist who set up London Makers Market at the beginning of 2020. She loves to travel, see friends, cook, host, go charity shopping, be active, and above all else, support creatives. 

Tell us about your business, how did you come up with the idea or concept?

Starting London Makers Market had been brewing in my mind for a while, however I didn’t take the leap until the beginning of 2020 (just before Covid). In 2016 I started hosting small pop ups and exhibitions in London every Christmas to help support creative friends and also sell my own products - I’m an artist and I offer a range of greeting cards, t-shirts and drawings by commission.

After taking part in London markets myself in 2019, I connected with lots of amazing small business owners who were eager to support my new market venture, so I decided to organise a bigger event at a pub in Battersea. Fortunately I had been running painting workshops at the pub for a year and had a really good relationship with the team, which made it easier. It was the first time I’d run an event where I didn’t know all of the traders, and it was a great success! This event gave me the confidence to start LMM and I went about creating a website, logo, Instagram and community.

What was your overarching mission/aim at the outset?

To create an eco-conscious market which helps independent businesses and makers sell their incredible handmade wares.

Were there any initial challenges that you came up against, if so how did you overcome them?

Covid was a big one! LMM was born in February 2020 and I already had locations booked for the year, as well as lots of lovely makers. The only logical option was to host the first market online via our website and Instagram. It was a completely new concept, and therefore somewhat daunting and challenging. 

I wanted to help my maker friends, form new relationships with other businesses, build our community and therefore offered the first event completely free to anyone who filled out the trader form on our website. To my surprise, 180 small businesses applied to take part! It was important that customers could get direct links to shop with the businesses online, so I added them all to the website. The response was so good that I decided to offer this online service at all in-person markets going forward, which increases exposure for the businesses involved, and also allows customers to still support from anywhere in the world. 

Did you have a mentor or support structure in place when you founded it?

Not exactly. Google Digital Garage was a great help at the beginning, and I also had an online session with a business coach a few months in. Hosting ‘online markets’ was such a new concept that a lot of the learning was through trial and error.

Can you tell us about your first "win"?

Although the online markets were great fun, and successful for the businesses involved, my first in-person event at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich was a major win. To witness small business owners forming connections with other makers and new customers after such a long lockdown was a great achievement. 

What's been the biggest lesson - about yourself, your abilities or just general life lessons - you've learnt since starting your business?

When running your own business, it’s easy to get consumed and burnt out. I’ve definitely had to take a step back at times, and make sure I’m not spending all day on Instagram or my laptop. I’ve also learnt that you can’t take criticism to heart; all you can do is try your best, and use criticism as a catalyst to improve. Also remembering to eat well, exercise and find room for self-care in your working week is important. 

How do you find the work-life balance? What strategies and routines do you have in place to cope with the work-life balance? If you worked for someone else previously, how does it compare?

This can be very challenging. I try to put social things in my diary as much as possible, and stick to them. I spend a lot of my time working from home, mostly on my own, so it’s really important I have an excuse to leave the house, meet up with friends and enjoy living in London. I make sure to walk every day and also find time to cook, which I find very therapeutic. 

Image: London Makers Market at House of Vans, Waterloo, 2022

What's the best advice you've ever received?

Trust your gut. 

If something doesn’t feel right for you, no matter how big the opportunity, or the pressure from others, you know what is best. It’s ok to say ‘no’.

Would you recommend any resources that have been useful for you when starting/running your business?

Google Digital Garage.

Instagram specialists - @pinkstormsocial @_helen_perry_ @spark_social and @rebuildagram.

Holly Tucker’s ‘Conversations of Inspiration’ Podcast.

Later Media Newsletter.

In Shot for video editing. 

What would be your advice to anyone wanting to start their own business?

You don’t have to be an expert at everything to start your own business, you can always outsource.

What is next for London Makers Market?

You’ll have to follow us on Instagram and sign up to our newsletter to find out :)

Website: www.londonmakersmarket.com

Instagram: @londonmakersmarket

Facebook: London Makers Market