About The Founder
Napkins By Martin Founded By Martin Hunt.
Founded in 2019 after leaving a high pressure office environment, affecting my own welfare, stress and Mental Health issues, I needed to focus on growing a business that was fun, and also enable me to feel as If I was helping others create their own happiness, by creating stunning creations with customers imaginative creative Arts and Crafts Ideas using Paper Party Napkins and Decoupage.
How Did it Start.
Well, Back in the day, I started attending Local Car Boot sales on Sundays like most people, de-cluttering household items. I sort of got the bug for the great social atmosphere chatting with fellow Car Booters and interacting with customers. Such a world apart from my stressful office job and a real Joy to be able to have a laugh with Customers.
I really got the bug for interacting with customers as I never came from a sales or business background. I got ideas and inspiration from other larger traders and wanted to be like them. The trouble was, I am not really a morning person and getting up at 04.30am on my day off was not really fun.
Combine that, with the unpredictable British Weather, and cool autumn and winter dark mornings led me onto look at selling on Ebay.
I tried all sorts, Homewares, Tea towels and even tried a range of umbrellas which was fine for the British weather whatever the season.
Eventually a good friend, pointed me in the direction of the Spring Fair in Birmingham. I didn't realise how long it would take to walk around 18 Halls at the NEC.
To cut a long story short, I was really taken back by the striking display and quantity of Paper Party Napkins on a stall by a company called Ambiente. Based in the Netherlands, I decided to invest in a small quantity of different Napkins and see how they went.
The Quality of the Napkins, and the constant new designs available, really inspired me to take a really positive attitude to try my best to pass the quality onto customers. So Much so, that Customers really loved the quality and price point.
Customers contacted me asking if I could do smaller packs of Napkins as they were into Arts, Crafts, Decoupage and Card Making.
I do listen to my customers, so Yes, I now supply packs of 5 Napkins for my Crafting Customers, and Packs of 20 Napkins for Dinner Party and events.
Moving Forwards
Dare I say it, the Covid 19 Pandemic.
Lockdowns, Social Distancing and Shops Closed. Napkins By Martin was able to stay open during Lockdown and was able to keep supplying our customers with Napkins so they could continue Creating Cards, Vases, coasters and Napkin covered Trinkets.
Other Napkin suppliers have been contacted, and we now stock their designs as well. I think adding new designs of Napkins is Key to keep customers happy.
In addition, We have now added a Range of Gift Mugs and Birthday Greetings Cards as my Business Grows.
It is far better to Start work at 8am rather than 4.30am
Napkins By Martin Founder - Martin Hunt.