Sophie Silks

Hi, I am Sophie, a founder of Sophie Silks and I'm a mum of two. I am from the garment industrial background in the village of Cambodia (my homeland).
​My mum was one of the well-known seamstress in the village and since I was 12 I always wonder how could she make such a beautiful cloth for people. I could remember of helping mum to spin the yarn, sewing, also we recycled pile of the off-cut fabrics and transformed them into pretty wears and home-wares. It was all fun works, creative, crafty and I loved it. 

Then, I worked for years involved in handmade, cultural art pieces, and fair-trade community sector till I moved to Perth in 2009 after I got married to my Kiwi husband. 

Starting a family in Perth, the sewing inspiration from my mum and handmade working experience has turned me into what I am doing today "Sophie Silks" a handmade small business owner established in 2014. 

I feel so blessed that I have found the amazing communities in Perth who has been loving and supporting my work so far and hoping the Handmade Exchange community will also do and I can't wait to share with you all my handmade fashion pieces and accessories.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophiesilks1/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/sophiesilks
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How long have you been making x (your product)?
I have been making the product about three years now, although my handmade business started 6years ago focused on sustainable, recycled, and eco-friendly products.
 
How did you get start?
I started “Sophie Silks” after my first baby. It was a hobby business really, selling my products at the local handmade/farmers markets most weekends.  A good excuse to get out of the house, absorb fresh air, a break from the kid and meeting new people.  When I saw an opportunity of the local community in here loving and supporting handmade products, I decided to design and making clothing for my brand and some other accessories. I first inspired by the idea of creating clothes that are casual and comfortable to wear as well vintage connected to contemporary style.
 
What is your greatest inspiration?
I would give a big shout-out and thankful to my mum and my husband for their great support behind the scene of my business. I couldn’t start this journey without their encouragement.I think I have made my mum proud and I am probably the only child among my other three sisters who continue the creative work and skill from her.
 
When I received a lot of marvellous compliments about the products I have offer at the market and I started to realize a lot of people do appreciate handmade items. They prefer something different and creative which reflect to eco-friendly, recycle and sustainable theme. The ongoing support from my regular customers keep encourage and inspiring me. 

What is the greatest challenge to owning and operating your own business?
It has been a big challenge to keep my handmade business running till today. My schedule can be very juggling for some days and especially weekend when I have to do the markets, my husband has weekend jobs and kids have birthday party and sport.

Commitment and hard work are required. Business is up and down, the heat, windy, and rainy, some days I make sales some days I don’t. These can be emotionally effected and make me feel down but I need to keep it positive and love what I am doing.

Again, It is not an easy task when I have to look after my two kids in pre-primary, household works, designing and making products, doing the markets, manage the stocks for retail shops, and family/friends socialising to maintain work-life-balance. 
 
What is the best thing about owning your own creative business?
Despite my challenging, I love and proud about owning my creative business; because my time is flexible surround my kids and family. I can do school drop-off and pick-up, I can work from home and at the same time I can manage to do some chore, cooking and gardening. 

I would like to be able to support and keep the traditional hand-woven textile survive, as well as promoting slow fashion and share the benefit among the community. 

My handmade business become a part of my living income starting from doing the market and now having stocks selling at the local collaborative shops which I can see a brighter picture of my business moving forwards.