Client Feature: Rolfe and Wills

· Written by konichiwa

Alice Rolfe is the leading lady behind Rolfe and Wills, a unique homeware collection based off of her journey through life and the experiences along the way. Her designs capture a moment in time or the feelings experienced when travelling to new places. This has made for some really abstract work and an interesting process.

Hi Alice –
Thank you for taking the time out in this busy period for you and Rolfe and Wills – you’ve been travelling recently, as well as releasing your new collection!

 
1. Rolfe and Wills is a very unique and contemporary brand. How did you start? Can you give any tips for people starting their own business?
 
I started by screen printing designs and illustrations onto homewares – in the early stages there was a lot of experimentation – I had no idea what I was doing so tried a lot of products out.  Eventually, I got on to mugs, and they sold straight away, I couldn’t make them fast enough, so I realised that is what my business was. 
My advice is twofold, 1) be prepared for hard work, really hard work!  2)get your brand foundations sorted before you start – I did it all backwards, I figured it all out as I was going along, but I wish I had started with a clearer idea of what it was I was doing.
2. ​Balancing the admin and marketing side of a creative business can be challenging. What tips can you give other businesses about time management?
 
I spend a few minutes first thing in the morning, making a list of things I need to get done today. Some are more urgent, others can go on for days/weeks/years… If I’m busy I do the harder tasks first and more fun tasks after.  If I have a task that I’ve been putting off for ages, I’ll find a change of scenery, ‘take the day off’ of normal jobs and just focus on that.
Finding an hour a day for social media was particularly hard for me, it was always the last on the list and often didn’t get done!
 
3. What makes your product stand out to others on the market?
 
The quality is good – I put a lot of effort into being happy with my product, as I’d rather put in the extra time, than an unhappy customer. They also stand out because they are modern and minimal, no fuss or cute stuff.  The people who buy my products are interested in art and design so can appreciate the aesthetic.
 
4. Can you tell us a bit about the process of creating your designs? How do you come up with so many patterns and themes?
 
I’m heavily influenced by nature and my surroundings.  I see colours and textures crossing over and see a pattern.  I often hold onto my ideas for a while until it works itself out.  I don’t tend to use sketchbooks, but I take photos and come back to them when two or three things seem to connect together.
 
5. What do you think Bristol community can get out of buying from independent brands such as yours?
 
Any item bought straight from the maker is money going back into the local economy.  You are supporting an individual or a small group of people rather than a CEO of a huge corporation who makes millions and lives somewhere else.  Bristolians love their high streets with Indie businesses, they love individuality and creativity.  They are so supportive of small businesses it’s a fantastic city to run a small creative business.
 
6. Have you had any challenges along the way? What would you say to other businesses facing the same challenges as you did?
 
There are challenges everyday… from figuring out accounts, learning photography, marketing, researching everything! Long hours, low pay to begin with – it’s a really hard slog at the beginning.  For me the first three years consisted of no time off, working 6 to 7 days a week, markets, failures, mistakes the list goes on… but the last four years have been holidays, weekends off, better pay, choosing my hours and buying a camper van! The best part is being my own boss… that totally makes it worth it – So keep going!!!
 
7. What have been your Rolfe and Wills highlights?
 
When you work by yourself, for yourself you don’t get a pat on the back when you’ve done well, so recognition from outside is a real boost. I guess it’s when I get approached by shops I was too afraid to contact, or when I get asked to talk at events or when a customer makes a real effort to give positive feedback. 

8. What’s next for Rolfe and Wills, where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
 
That’s such a hard question. To be honest I have no idea… I’d like to say in about the same place as I am now.  I’m really happy with the business and don’t feel the need to expand or change anything, but in 5 years we might be living on a very different planet – I’m keeping up with issues on climate change.  I have switched all my packaging to recyclable and I offset my carbon, but I’m aware I produce stuff… and the world is quite full of stuff… I’m always researching better ways of doing things, so who knows? Staying flexible and finding solutions is positive so that’s the plan for now!