Interview With Gecko Art
By administrator
Name:
Gillian Jones
Organisation:
Gecko Art
Website:
What inspired you to start your business?
The idea of creating pictures from hand and footprints is something that has developed over time, starting with those very messy attempts with paint and a young baby. I thought there must be an easier way!
In terms of lifestyle, I have been a full-time Mum for five years and wanted to retain the ability to do the school run! I have two small boys and wanted to do something which enabled me to still go to the nativity plays and sports days without having to worry about what my employer might say. I have a partner, Lisa Gray, so I do have someone to talk to about the business and share the load with, but we can both make our own decisions about when we work and how we work. I have had a number of jobs, including a researcher at a university, a software engineer at a multi-national company and an officer in the Royal Navy, and I definitely relish the freedom I have now.
What do you find the biggest challenge about combining being a forces wife and running your own business?
I am quite fortunate in that my husband is shore-based at the moment, and works locally, so we have a normal family life. Since the business is quite new I have yet to experience him being away for long periods whilst I run the business, look after the children and run the home by myself! I’ll keep you posted…
If you had an extra pair of hands what would you use them for?
Cleaning and tidying the house! Hopefully the hands could just go off and do their own thing so I would not have to actually get involved in any cleaning….
Why should people shop with your company?
Gecko Art creates pictures from hand and footprints. We send you a pack which contains wipes and coated paper, so you can take your child’s prints at home. You then send the prints back to us (in a pre-paid envelope) and we turn them into a piece of art. We take great pride in the quality of our pictures, so you are getting something very special. The detail you can see in the hand and footprints in our pictures is quite incredible; you can see all the creases and crinkles that make your child’s prints unique. The pictures are printed using a professional printer on fine art paper and delivered framed, so you get a full service. You are getting a piece of art which is incredibly personal to you for what, I think, is a very reasonable price!
We also sell gift packs, which allow the recipient to choose a picture they would like from our range; ideal for new parents, Mother’s Day, Fathers’ Day and so on!
How do you think advertising with follow the flag will help your business?
I expect that the people who use Follow The Flag are discerning buyers, and hopefully our product will appeal to them!
What does the future hold for your business?
We are in the process of designing additional products which will include whole family prints and wedding gifts. We are also going to be at the Stansted Park Garden Show in Hampshire from 15th to 17th June, so come and see us there.
And finally, if you were to appear on the Dragon’s Den what outfit would you choose to wear to best promote you and your business…!
Well it would have to have something to do with geckos. Perhaps I would wear my normal clothes, but have a pet gecko, or two, sat on my shoulder.
