7 minutes with Nicki from Pedddle

We speak to Nicki from Pedddle, an online hub for creatives, makers and stallholders about running a buisness, and advice for anyone doing the same.

HEY NICKI, GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US! FIRSTLY, DO YOU MIND INTRODUCING YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO?

I’m Nicki, the founder of Pedddle. Pedddle is an online hub to easily find and connect with independent, creative markets, organisers and their stallholders.

IN THREE WORDS, SUM UP PEDDDLE?

Community, Creative, Opportunity – to choose/to grow your business/to learn.

 

WE LOVE WHAT PEDDDLE DOES. WHAT GAVE YOU THE IDEA AND WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS SO RELEVANT TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN 2019?

I always loved the creative markets but occasionally missed them and when I did visit I couldn’t always get back to the stalls that I loved. 

The idea actually came to me in a dream. That night the whole concept went through from an idea to full reality and when I awoke I knew I had to put it into action IRL.

Markets are proving increasingly more popular, which is great, as people are more conscious about what they eat, where/who they buy from and they are after experiences. However, time is still of the essence.  Pedddle helps you to find the markets quickly, see which stallholders are at the events, contact them and buy direct through their online shops.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST FEAR TO OVERCOME WHEN RUNNING THE BUSINESS? 

Making decisions and being confident in them.
I am not a natural decision-maker and being solely responsible for the choices I make is not easy for me.

SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN AT THE START?

It might have been more beneficial to start a company with more than one person. This is for decisions, funding and workload.  Although this situation does bring other issues.

I wish I had the knowledge and understanding of the websites that I have now.  I needed a website but didn’t really go to the right people first, which cost me money. Try to find someone recommended, you have to be able to trust them.

THE BEST PART OF RUNNING PEDDDLE?

 I haven’t looked back from the day I set up my company.  The opportunities I’ve had, the connections I have made, the skills I have learnt and very importantly the way I can manage my own time to be there for my family.

I did enjoy many aspects of my previous job. There were bad bits for sure, but I had stopped feeling fulfilled and had I stayed, I am sure I could have become rebellious! It was the right time to go. I needed the challenge of something new, and it most certainly it has been a challenge but one I wouldn’t change.

 ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WERE TOLD THAT YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH OTHERS?

I was told many things at the beginning but at that time I wasn’t ready to listen – not because I was being rude or unenthusiastic but because I wasn’t in the right place in my business to understand what they were telling me to do. So here’s what I would advise people to do:

Put yourself in your customer’s shoes and write down the things they would think/say and do. Who are these people and what are their biggest hopes, dreams, fears and challenges? Basically do a customer profile.

Then get someone to help with branding and social media and use the customer profile to guide your design. Don’t spend too much, there are great designers out there that DO NOT cost the earth. Search Insta to find someone.  Also, you ideally need all handles the same and a domain to match.

I could go on, but these 2 would be the most important to get started from scratch I think.

 THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS?

I would love to have markets and members all over the UK. To take on another member of the team. Simply to get more recognition for Pedddle so more customers use the website.

 FINALLY, SOME QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS! WHERE IS HOME?

Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs

3 APPS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?

Podcast, WhatsApp, Maps (love to know where I am or where I am going, hate being lost). Defo not social media!

 A podcast we must listen to:  I love most of Holly Tucker ‘Conversations of Inspiration’ podcasts as I find them so inspiring and the variety of guests. Love Seth Godin too.

A BRAND YOU ADMIRE AND WHY?

  This is a tricky one as bigger brands are less relatable and therefore less admirable- in my opinion at least. I love Leona from Indie Roller – which is still a relatively new brand. However, she is on a journey with her brand and I hope it grows as she understands the small business struggles and is supporting people with her message.

Kerb (Street food markets) – I love the journey and evolution of this brand.

Lucy & Yak – having heard them speak at Manchester Creatival to hear how they scaled their business so quickly. I would love to see Pedddle grow like this one day – although it’s in a totally different sector.

 IF YOU COULD CHANGE ON THING TO MAKE THE WORLD BETTER WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Make people less greedy, materialistic and more respectful!

The pressure for youngsters to have the best brands and ‘things’ is tough for parents and kids. It’s leading to a world where people don’t respect and appreciate the FREE things in life like spending time together.

We all need to be a little more grateful and a bit more conscious of waste, people’s feelings and respect.

Get involved with Pedddle over on the website, and take a look at all the lovely markets over on their Instagram!

Ready to take your brand to the next level? The awareness and credibility from PR is one very important part of building a brand. Join hundreds of independent brands who are not only pitching their products to press but have access to our support, knowledge and recommended suppliers every step of the way through our memberships. Find out more here.