March 19, 2014
Emma Hancock, Sunny Jim
Bio The path that led her to this point
For nine years I've been living in Asia in the corporate world in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
During my time in Singapore I decided I needed an additional creative outlet so Sunny Jim was born.
It was almost two years in the making before our first product was brought to the market as I spent a great deal of time getting the quality control and production just right.
Sunny Jim is a summer-focused brand and I've designed a range of uber-chic UPF50+ sunshades, beach bags and cotton pom-pom throws.
I have worked across several industries in three countries and all of the skills I have developed along the way have been instrumental in getting Sunny Jim to where it is today; from teaching English in Japan, real estate in Hong Kong to financial recruitment in Singapore.
For two years I worked on Sunny Jim in the evening after work and on the weekends.
There was a huge amount of time, emotions and finances invested in the business before it was launched in 2012.
We attended our first trade fair in September 2013 and shortly after this I took a huge leap of faith and resigned from my full-time corporate job to take on Sunny Jim as my new career.
It was liberating, scary as hell, and phenomenal all at the same time.
It has been a huge change working from home and having no one to report to except myself.
I've just relocated back to Australia from Singapore and my husband and I are expecting our first baby in July right as the Summer season gets underway!
My husband stayed on in Singapore for another five months after I moved back while I worked getting new stockists, working with our sales agents and packing boxes (the glamorous life of small business!).
When you own a small business you have to do absolutely everything; opening a bank account seemed like a huge job to me as I haven't lived in Australia for almost a third of my life and everything seemed new!
In 2014 we are looking at expanding into the US, The Middle East, Japan and South Africa and being a work-from-home-Mum is going to be an interesting challenge!
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
In a matter of three months Sunny Jim picked up 70 stockists across Australia.
When I see images of our range in my stockists stores it gives me an immense amount of satisfaction and a real sense of achievement. Also, when I see customers using our products in the flesh I literally walk around stalking them to get a glimpse!
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge has been getting used to working from home, not having a regular income and really believing that what you are doing is the right thing.
Self doubt is such a deal breaker so I am really conscious that all achievements or failures, big or small, are only going to make the business and myself that much better.
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
Dealing with suppliers in foreign countries is challenging and I learnt the hard way about not having the best people working for you.
It was not only the financial side but the emotional side of things really gets to you. I scaled the production back, brought on the best people possible and then charged ahead.
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
Hands down Facebookand Instagram. I use these to filter the best inspiration, new business, global trends and connect with key influencers.
Remove all the time wasters on your feeds and hone in on who is doing the best things in your industry. The amount of amazing business relationships I have started from these two mediums has been phenomenal.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
Samantha Wills, the person behind the brand and the brand itself, has been a huge inspiration to me.
Her brand consistency, products and customer service are some of the best I have come across. Samantha's drive, global growth and success is something that I admire as well as the fact that Samantha is a kind and hard working women.
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
Eyes wide open! Budgets are tight in small business and I now only work with people I admire and respect. If it doesn't feel right, cut ties immediately (even if it means loosing some hard earned cash).
I don't work with anyone who I wouldn't want to share a coffee or meal with!
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I started working for myself.
When you only have yourself to answer to you really need to put on your "big girl pants" and get things done. I've met some amazing people along the Sunny Jim journey and I really believe the energy you put out is the energy you get back in. The people who work with and collaborate with Sunny Jim are amazing and the business and brand is constantly strengthening.
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