In the Shop Window with Katie & Nick of Hause & Havers
Your business in a nutshell – Humorous greeting cards, art prints, mugs and other nonsense – mainly celebrating the wonderful (and usually hilarious) Scots language.
H&H’s most popular product – Dook swimmer greeting card, our Bawbags mug, and our new Hip Flash Git card has gone down a storm.
What draws people to your work? Nostalgia and a fondness of Scotland. With many words being lost to the passage of time, our aim is to keep them alive, whilst celebrating the phrases and words that hold special memories to those growing up in Scotland and of Scottish descent. People love telling us about the phrases that remind us of their Grandparents, or their time growing up in Scotland…and the rude words also make people snigger.
Best things about being self employment – Time to go at our own pace. And creatively we can do what we want! Also there’s an immense sense of pride when people want to buy what you actually create.
And the worst – Comparison. Lack of confidence about stocking our stuff in shops – wholesale jitters. The slow postal system. Motivation… I could go on…but ultimately we love Hause & Havers and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Previous jobs – Nick is still a graphic designer – H&H saved us during lockdown. You can see his work at www.yourmatenick.com. And Katie still remembers berry-picking fondly.
Long-term goals – We don’t do long-term. We’ll just see what happens.
With hindsight, what advice would you give yourself? – Just get on with it. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just do it.
Shops that stock your products – Haym in Carnoustie. The Leith Collective in Fort Kinnaird, Ocean Terminal – Edinburgh and Glasgow Fort. We’d love to work with some more but…confidence!
Other small businesses you admire and buy from – Love Freya Mabel Makes, Beinn Au Turic Distillers for their small batch gin, Steph Liddle pottery and Carrick Ceramics.
In any spare time you like to – Swim, read, stare out the windae.
Favourite Scottish eateries – Mr Eion for a flat white. Followed by banoffee pie at Porto & Fi. Oh – and cinnamon buns at The Bearded Baker.
Best Scottish celebrity – Brian Cox
Favourite Scottish telly – We’re just getting into Still Game and Two Doors Down. Great inspiration! Does the Succession episode based in Dundee count?!
Favourite Scottish destination – It’s got to be the Highlands. The Islands are on our bucket-list.
Do you believe in Nessie? Of course.
Money no object, where would you go on holiday? Mexico.
Anything else you’d like to tell us? You’re amazing. Thank you Shop Scotland!
(Awww, thank you so much Katie and Nick, you’re pretty awesome too, Sx)
