How To Create a Lucrative Business out of your Passion

Mclaggan Smith Mugs is a family business operating in Jamestown, a couple of miles from the beautiful shores of Loch Lomond in the West of Scotland.

Polly Thomson uses her passion for ceramics to drive the business and now provides customers with an efficient service selling quirky mugs with lots of character.

The company stocks incredibly popular designs from Orla Kiely, Roderick Field, Simon Drew, Edward Monkton, Madeleine Floyd and Brora, to name just a few. Polly has shared her top tips for making a business out of a hobby.

Sell, Create or Craft a Products for Enthusiasts in Your Hobby

Mclaggan Smith Mugs create bespoke mugs that are loved by ceramic enthusiasts. Polly chooses designers who she loves and creates stunning mugs which she can also enjoy having around the house.

MS mugs success is thanks to the owner's enthusiasm of ceramics and British art work. Putting the two passion together MS Mugs stock some of Britain’s best art work on ceramic design.

MS Mugs have great products and even stock designs from Roald Dahl illustrator Sir Quentin Blake. As Quentin Blake is a national treasure in the UK, this gives MS Mugs an upper-hand on their competition.

Make sure that when you are starting your business that you have something unique to offer your consumers. Having a unique selling point will change what you do from a passion into a fully functioning business.

Be Active on Social Media

MS Mugs love social media and recommend that any hobbyists starting a business have a look at their market on social media first. The custom mug designers have a following that is more than one thousand on Twitter. The main key to success online is to create a social media strategy before creating social media profiles.

As MS Mugs often have humorous artwork on them it was obvious that though social media they would be able to achieve a number of business goals and objectives, and how social media can help achieve those.

Make sure you are choosing the right social network for your business. MS Mugs may be based in rural Scotland however they are able to access a number of customers across the UK. This is why Twitter is great for start-ups who want to create brand awareness about their business or products.

By building an online community through your social media it won’t be long until your followers are engaging and sharing your posts. As a family business, MS Mugs also wanted to show their social media audience the people behind the product or service they offer.

Spot The Gap in The Market

MS Mugs create bespoke personalised mugs which can be personalised for any occasion. As a fan of ceramics, Polly knows that mugs can be very special to us. McLaggan Smith Mugs allow their customers to add text to the handle of your new mug. If your mug means a lot to you adding a name or short message on it will make it even more personal to you.

The Benefits of Changing Your Hobby into A Business

Your business will also be more efficient was the person driving it will know about the products which is a great help for customers.

There are so many benefits of starting a business out of your hobby, not only will you enjoy what you are making or serving – it is hard to lose passion for something that you love.

This article was written by Suzanne a writer from the UK.