FOCUS #5: Photo Gift Art

In today’s FOCUS we meet Mike Scott, the talent behind Photo Gift Art, provider of unique and exclusive personalised photo and word art prints.

Thanks for getting in touch with Business East Mike! So tell us about Photo Gift Art – what exactly is it that you do?

“For people who want something different we offer an extensive range of unique and exclusive personalised photo and word art prints and canvasses. Here at Photo Gift Art we’re on a mission to change houses into homes by replacing boring magnolia walls with conversation-starting photo and word art products. We allow our customers to not only choose the products they want but actually get involved in creating them using our simple design services.

Unlike other companies who offer standard ‘off-the-shelf products’, we have an online design tool for quickly creating your own personalised gift art. This means the customer is creating limited editions which are much more special, meaningful and thoughtful than the norm.

What’s the story behind Photo Gift Art?

Well I was having a conversation with John Potter and Ashley Barnes about how we live in a world where if you go out for a night you are likely to meet someone wearing the exact same shirt as you because everything now is commoditised and standard. We think that people still want to be unique and expressive and especially when it comes to buying gifts. People want to put their own thought and imagination into creating products for those that they care about.

Shortly after this chat I went round a friend’s house to find the same wall canvas on their wall as on my lounge wall and it was then that we decided to start a company that would allow people to create limited editions of one.

How did you come up with the name?

It was quite easy actually – it’s the three things we do ! A lot of our products are photo-based, we also offer a great range of services for photos such as restoration, colourisation and do a fantastic range of caricatures which people love. The gift part came from everything we do is a gift – it might be a gift for yourself, a loved one or someone in the office but it’s always a thoughtful gift. And the art is because we believe that with a little thought, imagination, inspiration and effort that everyone can create art.

What’s the most popular picture people come to you with? Is there one?

We do a product called ‘Likes’ (see picture, left) which allows people to put down things they or their friends like. This has flown out of the door with lots of people ordering having seen them at a friend’s house and wanting to create their own unique versions.

Do you have a typical customer?

Great question, I have checked the Insights on our Facebook page and we have 70% female fans and the majority are in the 25 to 50 age bracket. Saying that I sold a personalised mug to a 92-year-old last week so everyone seems to love our products and the ethos of our company!

Where do you see Photo Gift Art in five years?

The business plan is to build more online design tools to allow people to go wild with their imaginations and create some really innovative products. We are also working on finding a team of designers to help come up with some ideas that we can then allow people to build on (any good designers in the East then get in touch!). In five years we will have a nationally-recognised brand and be the leader in bespoke home art products.

What’s been your highlight so far?

The main highlight has been the feedback, it has been overwhelming. People really love the products we create with them and that makes the job fun. We’ve also picked up nearly 500 Facebook fans in two months which says we must be doing something right. We are branching into some great new business channels – we are currently talking to the offshore industry about some innovative ideas and are currently working hard on our new website.

Do you spend any money on marketing / advertising?

At the moment the majority of our business has been word of mouth and through a shop presence we have down here on the east coast. As the website goes live then we will be moving into social media and online advertising – my background is technical and online marketing so we will get on very well there. We are also working on an old fashioned paper catalogue.

How do you balance work and home life – have you ever had to design something for a tight deadline?

Work and home life are pretty much the same thing for me – I have an office at home and can usually be found in there at strange hours. However, saying that I have two amazing kids and I make sure I protect some time to give them my full attention. My eight year old daughter loves creating word art products with me and her bedroom walls are already looking a little full.

What tips would you give someone who wanted to follow your lead?

If you have an idea and a passion then go for it, we may be told that we are in a period of austerity and that it is all doom and gloom but for us we are trying to make people smile and also create a business off the back of that. Therefore my biggest tip is let nothing and nobody stand in your way of doing what you believe in.

You can find Photo Gift Art on Facebook and on Twitter. New site coming soon!