Whether you have a true passion for your craft and want to share it with the world or just want to make some extra cash, the allure of side hustle for yourself?
We spoke to Jaimie Poyner, founder ofClemo Booksin Newquay, to find out how her pop-up bookshop found a permanent home on the high street. From winning funding to building a community, Jaimie shares how she felt confident to take the leap from freelance PR to full-time bookshop owner.
We also heard from a luxury wedding designer atKM Stationery and Designto find out how founder Kirsty turned running an Etsy shop from her living room cupboard into a viral success.
From inspirational stories to all the practical steps you need to get started, this guide will help you turn your passion project into a fully-fledged business.
How involving your local community can be your superpower: a young entrepreneur’s story
Jaimie Poyner, founder of Clemo Books, writes:
I think creating a community and asking for support was really helpful to me. Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, I had all of these new people in my life that I really respected, all rooting for me. It gave me a lot of confidence, which I don’t think is something instilled in a lot of young people today.
I was working 9-5 when I started doing pop-up book sales. I found time during evenings and weekends at markets to make it work (market stall holders don’t get enough credit, it was hard work). I then moved to a freelance role to have the freedom to be more flexible. However, that fell through, and I decided to open a permanent retail shop.
I was able to drop my freelance work about 18 months into running the business and pay myself from the bookshop, which felt like a really big achievement. But at the time, freelancing was ok as it made me less worried when there was a quiet day as I knew I’d still have an income.
The book club is possibly the part I’m most proud of as it’s created a community of people who’ve found friendship over books. Each month, we come together to discuss a new book. There might be a newcomer, or some members have gone for a swim in the sea together beforehand, or a few of us make plans to go to the cinema together. We support each other and they support our business.
People want to be a part of something and the high street is a wonderful place for that community.
Balancing a full-time job and a side hustle: a founder’s story
Kirsty Marie Harvey, founder of KM Stationery & Design, writes:
I truly don’t think there’s such a thing as balance when you’re trying to build a business alongside motherhood and a full-time job. I think social media makes it look exciting and glamorous, but the truth is it was exhausting. I was using every spare second, every bit of energy, and every bit of money trying to make it work.
My priorities completely changed. I realised I didn’t want to spend my life burnt out and living on someone else’s schedule. I wanted to be there for school runs, do something I genuinely loved, make people happy with my work, and build something that felt like mine.
I already knew the business had potential because people connected with what I was creating. But there were so many moments where it felt like it was never actually going to happen.
I think when you care deeply enough about something, you just keep going anyway.
My advice would be to fully commit. You can’t go into it half-hearted. I genuinely don’t believe in luck – I believe in consistency, determination, and hard work. Sometimes it genuinely doesn’t feel like it’s mine or that I’ve actually done it. The imposter syndrome is very real and I still feel it every single day.
I now feel incredibly lucky that I get to meet so many amazing people and become part of so many stories. I work with unbelievably talented suppliers, visit incredible venues, and genuinely get to do something I love every single day.
