Welcome to Folk and Finds! I'm Kayleigh and I'm the founder of this new online gift shop specialising in products from small. independent businesses across the UK. But how, and why, did I want to create Folk and Finds. In this article, you can read all about our origin story.
- Why did I create Folk and Finds?
- How did I develop the company?
- What do we do at Folk and Finds?
- What is the Folk and Finds Fund?
Why did I create Folk and Finds?
One of my main love languages towards other people is gift giving. I love the feeling when someone you care about opens a gift and you see their eyes light up and the joy it brings. However, recently I've noticed an over-reliance on huge companies that can offer low prices and fast delivery but the products aren't handmade, or they're destined to be thrown into landfill. As someone who constantly has the environment on her mind, this felt uncomfortable to say the least.
That's why I initially came up with the idea of an online gift shop that offers exclusively UK-made products from small businesses. Small businesses across the UK are being choked by rules that barely affect the corporations and a cost of living crisis that isn't their fault. So, instead of buying from one of the usual suspects when shopping for gifts, why don't you have a browse on Folk and Finds and make a small business owner's day?
Another reason I created Folk and Finds was because I am chronically ill and my symptoms don't allow for me to sit in an office 9-5, five days a week. I'm incredibly hardworking and I've tried to make it work several times but my symptoms simply get worse and worse until I'm bedbound and that's not good for me or anyone around me. Of course, developing and running a business is also very intense but the difference is, I can work in an environment I've created to minimise my symptoms and I can work whenever I choose. Sometimes, I might be writing blog posts at midnight, other times, I might be packing orders at 8am - it just depends on when I feel my best.
How did I develop the company?
To be honest with you, it's been a long journey with a lot of on-the-job learning. Creating a business takes time and effort, especially when you've got other things going on (or wrong) in the background. I've had to learn how to do simple coding, how to do basic graphic design in Canva (and I'm definitely not destined to be a designer!), how to curate the best products and so much more. But, it's been the most exciting learning journey I've ever embarked on and I have fun with it most days.
The name Folk and Finds, I feel, evokes a sense of community and curation. It embraces the folk who run the small businesses we work with and the folk who choose to buy from us. Our finds have been chosen because we think they're really worth buying and we hope you find some lovely gems that make you and your loved ones happy.
What do we do at Folk and Finds?
We curate a catalogue of gift-worthy products, from stationery to home goods to self-care, and more. We want you to be able to browse our website and find something you know you'll love to either gift or keep for yourself. All of our products are selected with the environment in mind, so you won't find companies that use a lot of plastic or products that are made from certain materials. What you will find are products that are cruelty-free, mostly vegan and as natural as possible. I always make the effort to ensure the small businesses we work with are doing what they can to reduce their effect on the environment. We also minimise the effect we have on the environment and are constantly looking for new ways to make our processes and packaging more eco-friendly.
The Folk and Finds Fund is another aspect of our work here. I created this concept because I know how difficult it is to find funding as a small business. I also grew up in a town in West Yorkshire where small businesses are often forced to close before they've even really got the chance to get started. It's incredibly sad to see small, often family-run, businesses with their doors locked and their windows boarded every time you pop into town for a bit of shopping. So, I've decided to do my small bit to try and help.
What is the Folk and Finds Fund?
From every sale we make, £1 will be added to a separate Folk and Finds Fund. Once there is a good amount in the fund, we'll begin taking applications from small business and community projects across the UK to receive a grant from the fund. Grant sizes are not capped but you will have to evidence what you need the money for and how it will make a difference to what you're doing. We'll publish a dedicated Folk and Finds Fund page here on the website once there are enough funds to get started with.
What can you actually use the Folk and Finds Fund for? The way I imagine it is that a small business or community project might apply if they need a particular piece of equipment or they need to pay event fees etc. It's not going to solve all your problems but it will help with any barriers you might be facing when trying to progress down a particular avenue.
So, there we have it, that's Folk and Finds. I sincerely hope you enjoy everything we've built here and you can stay updated with news and launches by signing up for our email newsletter. Happy gifting!