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Behind the Brand : Text From A Friend

Sharon Caddie is  a freelance Art Director based in Glasgow.

Sharon Caddie is a freelance Art Director based in Glasgow. Since graduating from Glasgow School Of Art she’s worked on many brands, big and small, including the BBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank including hotel chains, retail stores, yoga experts, autism professionals and even the world of pole dancers over the years and won a few awards for it all.

Here, she chats to us at House of Coco and tells us more…

When did you launch the brand and what was the reason behind it?

I launched the brand around 18 months ago after it had been an idea in my head that I toyed with. I began to scribble on paper real texts from friends that made me laugh. Some were from people that were doing things they shouldn’t be, sharing things that were private but they were too funny for me to keep to myself. So after I scribbled them, and instead of saying who they were from, I made them anonymous by writing underneath “Text From A Friend’.

I posted them on social media and people started to ask if I could turn them into cards and prints. And the rest they say is history…

Whats your background?
I’m Art Director/Designer and have worked in advertising and design agencies for the best part of 20 years. I started Text From A Friend as a side hustle which has slowly taken over my life these last few months. I continue to freelance as a creative for other agencies and my own clients alongside growing this business.

How many people are involved in the company and what are their roles?
It’s just me! Although I do get help from family when it comes to packing up the envelopes for orders and I get to to talk to them about all things paper.

If you could start over with the business, would you do anything differently?
I’d have started it way sooner! This was the type of stuff I was doing at Glasgow School of Art and I brushed it off for years! I also would have bought my own printing press sooner than I did. As soon as I did that the business took off as I was more in control of everything.

What is the hardest challenge you have faced since you started the company?
When you’ve self invested your own money into the business it can be hard to find the balance to earn the money to keep that going. Cashflow is a huge deal and we shouldn’t be afraid to ask or talk about money. It took me a while to get my head around that.

Tell us one fact about you that people wouldn’t know?
I carry around roller skates in the boot of my car should the opportunity arise to put them on and feel the wind in my hair.

2019 is almost here, where do you plan on taking the brand?
I’m currently working on some new paper products and I’m also looking to exhibit at international trade shows next year and exporting globally. It’s an exciting time.

To date, what has been the highlight since launching?
Surviving my first trade show and seeing my cards being stocked by some amazing retailers.

Which city do you feel most at home in, London, Paris or New York?
New York for sure…I like to escape there as often as I can and when I feel I need some creativity and a break from everything that’s where I run to. Yes, run! Who doesn’t love to escape and get lost in NY.

Three beauty products you can’t leave the house without?
Has to be hand lotion, Clarins lip gloss and some mac bronzer for those pale days. I’m not a huge makeup fan but do like skincare products and simple natural makeup.

Style means….?
Being yourself and believing it.

Statement shoe or statement bag?
I’d say show but can I change that to trainers? I live in mine and have a specially built storage area just for my collection.

If you had to, what piece of clothing from your wardrobe would you wear everyday?
My Insane In The Rain jackets. I now have two and they’re made from recycled plastic found in the sea. All the while saving dolphins. And they look good. Go check them out.

Favourite love song?
Am I allowed to say Last Night A DJ Saved My Life? That counts right?

Best place for a coffee?
In Glasgow it would have to be Stravaigin in the West End.

Most memorable piece of advice given to you?
Always be nice to people on the way up as you never know who you’ll meet on the way down.

Guilty pleasure?
Caramel salted chocolate.

If you could spent 24 hours in anywhere in the world, where would it be?
New York.

In future, how do you plan on expanding the company?
More products and more stockists around the world and adding to the team so I have someone to chat to throughout the day ☺

Find out more…

www.textfromafriend.co.uk

www.facebook.com/atextfromafriend/

twitter.com/textfr0mafriend

www.instagram.com/TEXTFROMAFRIEND/

www.caddieand.co