From juggling between jobs to handling the business on her own, Aerilynn shares the challenges of a solopreneur and how, with a little adaptation, stationery can still go a long way in the increasingly digitised culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Breaking Into a Niche Market<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs a student, Aerilynn loved putting her designs onto paper as a therapeutic hobby. It was in 2014 that she came across an opportunity that allowed her to translate her work into merchandise.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAfter the platform ceased operations, I realised I preferred managing everything independently, from designing and production, to sales and marketing,\u201d she recounts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Papercranes-Design-1024x512.png\")
Aerilynn\u2019s merchandise are mostly inspired by her love for nature<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThis later inspired Aerilynn to produce self-illustrated postcards and keepsakes. Upon realising the demand for bespoke stationery, she decided to set up a store on Carousell a year later before expanding to platforms such as Shopee and Etsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Papercranes-Design-lifestyle-products-1024x509.png\")
In addition to stationery, Papercranes Design also offers lifestyle products such as bags and jewelry\u00a0<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBefore becoming an entrepreneur, Aerilynn was an architecture researcher. \u201cI\u2019ve been operating Papercranes Design on the side and while I enjoyed my full-time work, it was challenging to balance the two. To better focus on Papercranes Design, I decided to seek a part-time job that would allow me to hone my design skills and to build the brand simultaneously,\u201d Aerilynn, who also currently works as a graphic designer at a local beauty brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read Also:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>How much would you sacrifice to start your own startup?<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nOvercoming Challenges<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n#1 Setting Priorities<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Papercranes-Design-calendar.png\")
\u201cPapercranes Design is my aspiration to fill the market gap by introducing joyful, inspiring stationery and unique lifestyle designs for nature and stationery-lovers like myself!\u201d<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBeing an entrepreneur is challenging, and having to manage every aspect of the business while holding a part-time job makes the journey even more so. \u201cThere are a thousand things on my to-do list that are constantly running through my mind. Some days, it feels like I\u2019m being pulled in all directions at once – and that\u2019s where setting priorities helps with getting you to stay focused,\u201d Aerilynn says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor instance, I usually focus on one main launch at a time – from conceptualisation to executing and refining the design idea, test printing to scale, before finally sending it off for production, to help me stay on track.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#2 Balancing Cost and Profit<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nAs with small-scaled (or most) businesses, balancing between cost and profit is a key challenge – especially when competing with larger, mass-market brands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHaving to balance the cost of small-scale production and competitive pricing is definitely a challenge. But ultimately, I hope that consumers appreciate the value behind artisanal, locally-designed products that are only produced in small batches,\u201d the entrepreneur shares. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCustomised cards such as wedding invitations can often be printed on demand, but for the other items, the production quantities would be estimated based on a combination of trial and error, experience from past launches, customers’ feedback, and sometimes the suppliers’ minimum quantity requirements – it\u2019s all a learning process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#3 Adapting to Your Environment <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nWith the rising dominance<\/s> prevalence of digitisation, many entrepreneurs, if they haven\u2019t started in the digital space, are taking their businesses online. Whether it\u2019s establishing an online shopfront or creating social media awareness, being technologically savvy in this digital era has its many advantages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Aerilynn, embracing the digital age is not so much the issue – but rather, in the words of the tech-savvy individuals, \u2018nobody writes with pen and paper anymore\u2019. Despite this, Aerilynn remains positive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBusinesses are constantly finding ways to leverage on the digitisation of our culture now more than ever, and I believe that we will always be capable of adapting with, if not benefiting from digital developments. For Papercranes Design, I think that its style and essence can always be retained as long as there is an opportunity. For instance, during the circuit breaker period last year, I adapted some of the designs from our wedding catalogue into ‘Postpone the date’ e-cards as well as wedding e-invites instead for some of my clients.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, a little adaptation can go a long way, and every crisis can be turned into an opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read Also: <\/em>Bombe-bastic Doughnuts: MasterChef Finalist Genevieve Lee On Starting Sourbombe Bakery<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAdvice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhile a good majority of us dabble in side hustles, Aerilynn emphasises on the need to take things slow. \u201cThis might not be the most popular opinion, but I feel that there has been increasing over-glamorisation of the concept of side hustles. This undue pressure of making your passion a profession and the expectation of overnight success, can kill the joy out of what was once an enjoyable leisure interest. Hence, take things slow instead of jumping the gun. Follow your instincts and things will progress naturally!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On what keeps her going, Aerilynn shares, \u201cIt’s a combination of the little anecdotes \u2013 the kind reviews that customers spontaneously send across, or when they show appreciation for the details that go into the design of a product; the returning customer who showed up because she was gifted something from my store one Christmas; seeing my products carried by passers-by; or the mum who brought her little girl to my pop-up booth to say hi, because she aspired to be a designer someday too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m also thankful for supportive family members, friends and partner who\u2019ll always have my back,\u201d she smiles. \u201cOn that note, don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help when you truly need it. Being an entrepreneur is tough, but that doesn\u2019t mean you have to do it alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read Also: <\/em>15 Websites Singapore Entrepreneurs Should Be Reading In 2020<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This later inspired Aerilynn to produce self-illustrated postcards and keepsakes. Upon realising the demand for bespoke stationery, she decided to set up a store on Carousell a year later before expanding to platforms such as Shopee and Etsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Aerilynn was an architecture researcher. \u201cI\u2019ve been operating Papercranes Design on the side and while I enjoyed my full-time work, it was challenging to balance the two. To better focus on Papercranes Design, I decided to seek a part-time job that would allow me to hone my design skills and to build the brand simultaneously,\u201d Aerilynn, who also currently works as a graphic designer at a local beauty brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read Also:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>How much would you sacrifice to start your own startup?<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Being an entrepreneur is challenging, and having to manage every aspect of the business while holding a part-time job makes the journey even more so. \u201cThere are a thousand things on my to-do list that are constantly running through my mind. Some days, it feels like I\u2019m being pulled in all directions at once – and that\u2019s where setting priorities helps with getting you to stay focused,\u201d Aerilynn says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor instance, I usually focus on one main launch at a time – from conceptualisation to executing and refining the design idea, test printing to scale, before finally sending it off for production, to help me stay on track.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As with small-scaled (or most) businesses, balancing between cost and profit is a key challenge – especially when competing with larger, mass-market brands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHaving to balance the cost of small-scale production and competitive pricing is definitely a challenge. But ultimately, I hope that consumers appreciate the value behind artisanal, locally-designed products that are only produced in small batches,\u201d the entrepreneur shares. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCustomised cards such as wedding invitations can often be printed on demand, but for the other items, the production quantities would be estimated based on a combination of trial and error, experience from past launches, customers’ feedback, and sometimes the suppliers’ minimum quantity requirements – it\u2019s all a learning process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the rising For Aerilynn, embracing the digital age is not so much the issue – but rather, in the words of the tech-savvy individuals, \u2018nobody writes with pen and paper anymore\u2019. Despite this, Aerilynn remains positive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBusinesses are constantly finding ways to leverage on the digitisation of our culture now more than ever, and I believe that we will always be capable of adapting with, if not benefiting from digital developments. For Papercranes Design, I think that its style and essence can always be retained as long as there is an opportunity. For instance, during the circuit breaker period last year, I adapted some of the designs from our wedding catalogue into ‘Postpone the date’ e-cards as well as wedding e-invites instead for some of my clients.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, a little adaptation can go a long way, and every crisis can be turned into an opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Also: <\/em>Bombe-bastic Doughnuts: MasterChef Finalist Genevieve Lee On Starting Sourbombe Bakery<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n While a good majority of us dabble in side hustles, Aerilynn emphasises on the need to take things slow. \u201cThis might not be the most popular opinion, but I feel that there has been increasing over-glamorisation of the concept of side hustles. This undue pressure of making your passion a profession and the expectation of overnight success, can kill the joy out of what was once an enjoyable leisure interest. Hence, take things slow instead of jumping the gun. Follow your instincts and things will progress naturally!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n On what keeps her going, Aerilynn shares, \u201cIt’s a combination of the little anecdotes \u2013 the kind reviews that customers spontaneously send across, or when they show appreciation for the details that go into the design of a product; the returning customer who showed up because she was gifted something from my store one Christmas; seeing my products carried by passers-by; or the mum who brought her little girl to my pop-up booth to say hi, because she aspired to be a designer someday too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m also thankful for supportive family members, friends and partner who\u2019ll always have my back,\u201d she smiles. \u201cOn that note, don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help when you truly need it. Being an entrepreneur is tough, but that doesn\u2019t mean you have to do it alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Also: <\/em>15 Websites Singapore Entrepreneurs Should Be Reading In 2020<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nOvercoming Challenges<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#1 Setting Priorities<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
#2 Balancing Cost and Profit<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
#3 Adapting to Your Environment <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
dominance<\/s> prevalence of digitisation, many entrepreneurs, if they haven\u2019t started in the digital space, are taking their businesses online. Whether it\u2019s establishing an online shopfront or creating social media awareness, being technologically savvy in this digital era has its many advantages. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAdvice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n