Side-Hustle Series: Interview with an Industrial Designer

I am enjoying interviewing professionals about their line of work or their side hustles. Today I am sharing an interview with an industrial designer, Priscilla, who started a business called Multiwear.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business. Why did you select it and how did you get started?

I work as an industrial designer and I was designing for other people and after kids, I started to see a need for products for moms like myself. I just dabbled with designing them and then eventually decided to try having them made after asking my mom friends if they liked the products. I’ve been selling them for a little over a year.

 

Describe what you do and what you sell for those of us not familiar with your line of work or product.

I design and sell two products currently but would love to expand into more. My first successful product was the Cardimom. It’s a versatile cotton sweater that you can wear as a cardigan but then can also use it to nurse or babywear. I figured this was a gateway to bags for moms that I wanted to design but I found it has been my most popular product. The other product is a diaper bag line called Division of Labor. You can find both of them at www.cardimom.com and www.divisionoflabor.co.

Here’s an example of the lovely Cardimom!

If you are interested in preordering the Division of Labor diaper bag directly from her website, you can get 10% off with code WORKINGMOM10.  That’s an exclusive for my readers! 😉
 
 
What are some of your favorite things about what you do?

I love hearing that moms appreciate the designs and the functionality of the products.

 

What are some challenges of this business?

I learned about marketing while doing this and have realized that it’s all about marketing. Had I had more experience in it I wouldn’t have such a huge learning curve. It’s also hard to know where to spend my money for the best return.

 

For someone interested in what you do, can you share what to expect as far as earning potential and effort?

It is so hard to replicate. I see all the time on forums “I’ve had a store for months and not one sale, help!” So many people are starting an online business and what leads to sales for one doesn’t always lead to sales for another. It has earned money but one year in, it’s also cost a lot to get going. I see it more as a way to jump the corporate ladder – I’m learning all about running a business, marketing, and more and I get to make decisions that at a regular job I would not be able to.

 

What does it take for someone to get started with their own side hustle in your line of work?

Some of my friends in design have done Kickstarters. That is a way to try your hand at new product development. There are many facebook groups out there to help you along the way.

 

If you’re interested in learning more about the company Multiwear, contact Priscilla at her website multiwear.co.