Prints by Milly reflects on the success of it’s business following the launch of a new collection
An unexpected hobby, which started during lockdown, led one entrepreneur to launch a flourishing business - and saw her gain more than 5,000 subscribers on YouTube within a year.
Like many of us, Milly Hall, 24, of Swineshead, started searching for something to do in order to pass the time during the covid pandemic in 2020.
Always creative and artistic throughout school, Milly decided to take the plunge and start experimenting with digital illustrations after being gifted an iPad for her birthday.
Milly said: “My lovely nan had won an iPad which she gifted to me when I turned 21.
“After a couple of days experimenting, I shared an illustration I had done of my sister’s puppy on Instagram, which led to a few messages from friends and family who were asking if I could draw their pets too. Many pet commissions later, I decided to open an Etsy shop to start selling some wall art print designs and that’s where it all began.
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“It was never my intention to have my own business. I had just finished my music degree in 2020 and I was about to start my teacher training. Things started to really take off two months into my training, so I was running my business alongside the full-time teacher training course.
“The business continued to grow, so I decided to pursue my business as my sole income source, and my training to use by teaching music part time on the side. It is what I am still currently doing and I love it. “
Following her passion for pinks and pastels, quirky art and digital design, Milly began testing new ideas and gathering inspiration from Japanese pop culture aesthetic, Kawaii – which is where many of the character illustrations have been inspired by.
Alongside self love - and sometimes cheeky – prints, the business sells iced coffee cups, sticker sheets, wooden pins, magnetic bookmarks, mugs and more.
Milly also started creating content on the social media platform,YouTube, where she currently has an audience of 5.58K subscribers.
She said: “Starting my YouTube channel has definitely been one of the best things I have done for myself and my business. It all started back in January 2023 and I have gained more than five thousand subscribers since then.
“It’s so amazing to have such a supportive space to share my small business journey, and my subscribers mean so much to me.
“It can get a little overwhelming at times, having to juggle all of the other aspects of running a small business alongside filming and editing a video every week, but I wouldn’t change it for the world as it is 100% one of my favourite parts to running my business.”
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Some of Milly’s most popular videos include studio vlogs, ‘week in the life’ features, tips for starting your own business as well as small business diary vlogs – some of which have gained more than 12,000 views on their own.
The most recent collection called Neville’s Spring Adventure, was launched earlier in March and follows an explorer bear character, collecting as many spring flowers as he can during his adventure.
Milly added: “I haven’t launched any new products since the 2023 Christmas collection, so I’m super excited to share it and get some products out there on the shops for customers, old and new.
“I’m really proud of how far my little business has come. I still have to pinch myself when I get to illustrate cute little explorer bears for a living and people want to purchase those items.
“I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else and I really hope to keep Prints by Milly going for as long as possible. I just love the creative side of it so much and connecting with my customers. I feel like I am finally finding my feet now with my illustration style and branding, so hopefully the only way is up. “
If you are interested in buying any of Milly’s products you can visit her website or her Etsy shop.
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