Meet Anja.
The Scarbrough based branding and design company Notch is the brain child of striving entrepreneur Anja Richards.
Notch designs are already making waves with both Bloom coffee shop and The Clay Place pottery studio amongst Anja’s clients. Along with logo design, Notch offers print design, full branding and web design.
Not content with one business, Anja’s side hustle is also well worth checking out, Anja Richard’s Art offers a range of adorable and collectable pins.
Interview.
We caught up with our multi-talented strive to hear about her business journey so far.
What’s been the toughest challenge in starting your business?
One of the toughest challenges when starting my business was feeling isolated, figuring out how to price my services confidently, and attracting those first clients
Why did you decide to start your business?
I started the concept of this business in September 2023 due to me needing to rebrand my small hobbyist art business. It wasn’t until I started looking around for someone to provide branding services that I noticed in my town of Scarborough and surrounding, that the main providers for this service were agencies, whose pricing was way out of my budget for a small business or didn’t design in the more playful style I wanted my art brand to be. This is how Notch was born!
I spent around 2 months researching, looking into branding and talking to other small businesses regarding my idea. I had a basic design background from working in events and marketing and having my own art business selling products but made sure to take courses and learn before I decided to pursue anything.
What’s your secret start-up super power?
My secret start-up superpower is my ability to connect with others through my bubbly personality and genuine excitement for the business. I believe my enthusiasm, combined with my playful and creative designs, naturally draws people in, both to my brand and the work I create for clients.
Who (or what) has helped you in your journey?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to connect with amazing people through networking, many of whom are more experienced in various business fields, including my own. Their guidance and support have been invaluable during my first year. Strive has also been a huge help, giving me the chance to go back to basics and really understand what it takes to run a business. When you’re full steam ahead, that kind of refresher is so valuable, and the team has been incredibly supportive over the past seven weeks.
Most importantly, my family and especially my partner have been my rock. They’ve always encouraged me to dive into a creative business of my own, and having their support has meant the world to me.
What advice would give someone thinking of starting a business?
My advice would be to connect with people, have meaningful conversations, and don’t be afraid to take the leap. If it doesn’t work out, that’s okay! It’s always better to say you gave it a shot than to wonder what could have been.
Where can you find Anja?
She’s a mainstay of the Scarborough business networks, and is often spotted enjoying a matcha cappuccino in Bloom cafe. But to be sure to find her, check out the links below.
Website: https://www.notchmedia.co.uk/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/notchmedia_/
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/anja-drop-272335233/