From Studio to Community: House of Hobby’s Journey

In this episode of the Creative Business Community podcast, Erin chats with artist and workshop leader Emilie Otto, owner of Perth’s House of Hobby. Emilie shares how she went from graphic design to illustration to lounge-room workshops — and then took she the leap to buy an existing business during COVID. Emilie unpacks the pros and cons of stepping into someone else’s setup, why she moved from a mobile model to a dedicated studio to control the customer experience, and how she balances subcontracted creatives with in-house staff. You’ll hear candid lessons on innovating at the pace of social media, testing new offers (including flops), leading with clear, visual training, and handling feedback without taking it to heart. Emilie also reveals the power of a razor-sharp customer persona, the realities of rising costs, what to outsource first (hello, insurance broker), and the joy of building creative community. Tune in for practical, heartfelt insights you can apply to your own creative business. Connect with our guest! Find House of Hobby: Website: https://www.houseofhobby.net/  Instagram: @houseofhobbyau Facebook: House of Hobby TikTok: @houseofhobby Connect with our guest! Find Emilie Otto Art: Website: https://emilieotto.com.au/ Instagram: @emilieottoart Facebook: Emilie Otto Art YouTube: Emilie Otto Art Creative Business Spotlight: The Potters Market Website: https://thepottersmarket.com.au/  Instagram: @the.potters.market Facebook:  The Potters Market