Meet Leah Samuel

April 26, 2011 in Lifestyle

Founder
TeyaLilly

TeyaLilly provides unique, illustrated cards for all occasions, targeting the multicultural greeting card market.

Founded by Leah Samuel in Battersea, London, TeyaLilly was born from a desire for more choice. An illustration for Leah’s daughter took on a life of its own and the company launched in December of last year.

Why did you decide to start TeyaLilly?
The company started when I decided I was going to create a greeting card for my daughter using a little girl she could relate to. It then developed further when I realised other people were probably having the same problem as me finding cards.

What’s the story behind your brand name?
Teya is my daughter’s name and Lilly is my family nickname.

What was your career path prior to starting your first business?
I was and still am a freelance graphic designer. Initially I went into sport and qualified as a gym instructor. I realised really quite quickly that it wasn’t for me and went back to college and then university to study graphic design.

I took work placements at Pride and Eve magazines as well as at few design agencies while at university. When I finished I worked within a media company and then at a  small design agency before going freelance. That was five years ago and I haven’t had a full-time job since. The flexibility of freelancing suits my dreamy creative side perfectly as my weeks are not too routine.

Did you always know that you would start your own business?
No, but the freedom and flexibility of freelancing have made it hard for me to imagine working a regular 9-5. I’ve had other ideas for businesses but this is the one I have been most passionate about

Tell me more about your product range, how long did it take to move from ideation to launching your range?
It’s been a long process; going from an idea in your head to a finished product on paper is hard, especially when someone else has to interpret your ideas into the final product.

Being a designer I was able to give very detailed briefs, possibly too detailed at times. But when I saw some of the initial sketches I was nearly in tears at how far from my vision they actually were, but we persevered and I’m more than happy now.

So far we have Beeb, a four year old girl and Boogie, a four year old boy. Their names have come from my daughter’s nickname “Beeb” and my nephew’s nickname “Boogie”.

What are you working on at the moment and can you describe your typical working day?
Currently we’re working on babies, as I keep getting requests for Christening and New Baby cards.

A typical day for me still includes freelancing for an investment company as well as other small businesses, while planning and working toward making TeyaLilly my full-time business.

How do you maintain a work/life balance while running your business?
I have no life! No not really. I think my work life balance relies a lot on family and friends and not taking things too seriously. Also viewing sleep as a luxury rather than necessity…

What have been the highlights of running your own business?
My main highlight has been receiving the first batch of printed cards. I opened the box and then jumped up and down around the house until I was out of breath and then I phoned my Mum screaming.

It was quite surreal for me to have had the idea in my head for so long and to finally be holding it in my hand.

What is the hardest part of running your own business?
Other than the lack of sleep, I’d say not being able to switch off. I sometimes feel like I work 24 hours, always thinking of something I should or could be doing.

What has been your proudest business moment so far?
My proudest moments so far have been the feedback, people telling me how much they like the cards. Mainly because you never know how good the idea you have actually is until you put it out there and to have it be well received is a great feeling.

What, or who, inspires and motivates you?
Probably a bit cliché but my mum is my biggest inspiration, for as long as I can remember she has worked hard and given me everything I ever needed. My motivation is my daughter Teya’s future and my ever growing collection of irregular choice shoes.

Are there any business resources you’ve found indispensable?
Believe it or not Twitter. Through Twitter I have learnt about networking events, events where I have taken stalls and met some really amazing people. Also the GCA, the Greeting Card Association, has been a great resource.

Fast forward five years, where do you think your business will be in 2016?
In five years time there’ll be a whole TeyaLilly family of characters, as well as books and other merchandise. We will also be known outside of the UK.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering starting a greeting card company?
Research the market thoroughly, the greeting card market is quite saturated and you need something different. Attend trade fairs, I made some really good contacts and was given amazing advice at The Top Drawer fair at Earls Court. Also join the GCA, the Greeting Card Association.

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For more information on TeyaLilly visit www.TeyaLilly.com. You can also find TeyaLilly on Facebook and Twitter.

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Leah Samuel was interviewed by Octavia Goredema, founder of the Twenty Ten Club.

The Twenty Ten Club is an award-winning networking organisation for Black female entrepreneurs. You can also find Twenty Ten Club on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.