Name: Seiko Kinoshita
Company: Seiko Kinoshita
Website: www.seikokinoshita.com
Sector: Arts
Inspiral programme: I-Start
Inspiral helped with: Networking
What do you do?
“I create artwork with textiles using weaving and dyeing techniques. I do workshops, for instance using origami, in primary and secondary schools and I’ve recently started making spatial art too.”
Why did you chose to set up in Sheffield?
“I did a degree in England in textile design and then went back to Japan, but I couldn’t make it as an artist there. There are not many opportunities for artists in Japan. I had one exhibition promised in England so I came back to do that.
Whilst I was here, I saw an advert about starter studio programmes at Yorkshire Artspace in Sheffield. So I moved to Sheffield, got a studio space and started up as a full-time artist. That’s when one of my friends suggested that I contact Inspiral.”
What help has Inspiral given you?
“I’d always wanted a website and Inspiral helped me set one up, and get some professional stationary designed and printed. They also put me in touch with a consultant who advised me about promoting what I do, but the big thing for me was networking. Inspiral have lots of events and it really helped me to meet other artists and small businesses in Sheffield and swap information about how to go about things.”
How has Inspiral’s help impacted on your business?
“They’ve really helped me promote myself. I’ve been to lots of Inspiral events where I’ve been able to talk about my work and they’ve shown me how to sell my work to other people. I’ve got lots more work, at least 20% more, since I started working with Inspiral because of the networking events and the website.”
What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own business?
“Try to speak to someone at Inspiral. You need professional people to support small businesses. Being a small business is really, really hard if you do it on your own.”
If you’d like us to help you like we helped Seiko click here
