Here at Perth Upmarket we are big believers in using art as a form of therapy. Unleashing your creative side not only allows you to slow your mind and focus on the task at hand, it can also lead to a fabulous business! We asked Hooked On You owner Zara Avila to take us through her journey from art therapy to full time business.

How did you get started with your business?
Unfortunately I struggled with post natal depression in 2019, and started playing with clay as a form of therapy. Making tiny things meant my brain had to focus away from my daily struggles and helped me get better! As I made tiny things, my friends encouraged me to start selling earrings, so I opened an Etsy shop and dove into small business!
 
My post natal depression was a huge catalyst - I only wanted to make fun, bright silly things, because I needed to laugh. As I made them, I realised that they were making other people laugh too - and that is so addictive!!
 
I realised that making happy earrings was a wonderful way to spread smiles. Think about it - you pick out something fun because it makes you smile. You wear it to work - maybe someone on the bus sees it and they smile. You catch them smiling at you, and you naturally smile back.
 
It is the start of a day of smiles - as the person maybe remembers them later in the day and smiles again... We like to say we make you smile from ear to ear!!

Tell us about how you make your products:
I use professional grade polymer clay and the best hypoallergenic earrings so that my earrings last! I work from home - I did have a studio, but that is now my 3rd baby's room!! So for the moment I'm in the study and taking up most of my husband's shed too!

Do you work on your business full-time? Or is your business a side project you enjoy?
This is my full time job, assuming we aren't counting running around after my 3 kids! I love my work because it fits into my family life so well - I attend all of my kids activities, appointments. I'm home for dinner, and there to tuck them in at night, and also at school drop off!! They come with me to some of my markets (sometimes!) and support my business by telling everyone all about mum's amazing earrings!!

As a small business owner, what has been the biggest challenge that you've faced?
I think small business owners are constantly faced with challenges - and as soon as we overcome them, we're faced with something new! I think learning so many things all at once - when you're a one-man-band you need to be a jack of all trades, and know so many aspects of business (and then do them yourself!). Knowing it's all on me means I've had to become an expert in so many things I never have thought of before - book keeping, building a website, social media, marketing. Then add on things like contracts, hiring staff - it's a huge job!

What are your goals for the future?
I think to make my business bigger online - as I said, I have 3 young kids (aged 6, 3 and 4 months), so home life is extremely busy! I hope to go online mostly, while attending just my favourite markets (ahem! Upmarket!)!!

What do you love about Perth Upmarket?
Oh what's not to love - you only have to attend once and you're hooked. There is a buzz in the air - everyone is so proud of their beautiful products, and there is so much pride in what everyone does. All the stalls are beautifully presented, and it makes for such a luxe shopping experience. And then talking to all the retailers - you learn their stories, learn all about their products! And so many of them are happy to make bespoke things to suit your lifestyle (when they aren't busy with markets!) My home is decked out in things from Upmarket! There is a painting of pigeons wearing sneakers on my bedroom wall. I have a painting of a cockatoo in my entry. I have a terrarium on my dining table, and succulents on my windowsill. My kids wear clothes from Upmarket too - we all love it!!

Do you have any special offers?
We run a monthly competition for our email newsletter subscribers to win a pair of free earrings a month! Don't panic - we don't spam you (we know how annoying it is) - but we'd love to invite Upmarket followers to join our competition and win themselves some free earrings! They just need to head to https://hookedonyouaustralia.com/pages/join-our-email-list and fill out the form! The next draw is very close by!!

We loved chatting to Zara, and hope you enjoyed the insight into how Hooked On You came to be!
 
You can find Zara and her gorgeous earrings at Perth Upmarket on Sunday 19^th March at UWA or find her here:
 
Website: https://hookedonyouaustralia.com/
Instagram: @hookedonyouaustralia
Facebook: Hooked On You Australia