What have you got planned to mark Common Circus’ 10th birthday?
We will be hosting a festival type day on Saturday 19th October with live music, a petting zoo, face painting, an extra outdoor coffee cart and food! Alongside our normal café and retail store being open the entire weekend we will also be holding an art exhibition upstairs in our studios with local original art from Xander Holliday, Lucy Mim, Brittany Ferns and Annie Everingham. The studios will be transformed into an art show/styled space where you can view the art but also some homewares pieces that will accompany the artworks and all be for sale on the day. We want to celebrate with our community and bring good vibes to our space – we hope we can offer something for everyone who is a part of our community.
10 years in business is a huge milestone – congratulations! What are you most proud to have achieved in that time?
I am most proud of the community I have created around myself, my business and my family. I am approaching 40 years old and the one big lesson I have learnt in life is that not much else matters but the relationships you have in life. We can have all the beautiful things but at the end of the day if no one is there to share it with you – it doesn’t matter. I am proud that the relationships in my life are healthy ones and through all the stress and the ups and downs of owning a business, this has remained a priority for me.
Do you have any memories from the first few weeks of trade at your original Belmont store 10 years ago?
Oh gosh! The memories actually feel longer than 10 years ago! I opened with one team member and I worked seven days a week. I actually lived in the space next to the shop. I would work all day and then merchandise and change the store around at night. I remember going back ‘home’ for a nap in my clothes and my team mate at the time would prank my phone and I would jump up and start making coffee again! My goal when we opened was to talk to every single local that walked through the doors like I was having a conversation with a family member. One customer in the first few weeks even brought me breakfast (because we weren’t serving any food when we first opened). He went to the local bakery and brought me back breakfast because he knew I wouldn’t take a break to eat!
In what ways has the business grown and changed since then?
In so many ways, and every single day something shifts. I actually think that’s what I like most about owning my own business though… the constant changes, shifts and pivots needed to stay in touch, relevant but also viable. The biggest recent shift for us is focusing on our online growth. I truly believe we have an offering like no other and we can translate this in the online world to make more people happy and excited to shop with us and join our community! Covid changed everything online and it’s something I never thought I would ‘enjoy’ but the truth is being online and reaching more people has allowed us to be even more creative and explore even more growth.
We made the shift to focus online when we closed our O.G store earlier this year and this was a huge decision and shift for me personally and for my family. It was a risk actually but one that I needed to take to ensure I was looking after my mental health after having our second child. I am feeling so much more aligned with my priorities and why I created Common Circus.
If someone has never visited the store, how would you describe it to them?
We are a lifestyle store where you can grab a coffee or a bite to eat and explore beautiful homewares and clothing. It’s a place where you can escape the daily grind and be inspired to either just take a short break or get creative with your own space. I hope the store also brings back the joy of gift giving and finding that beautiful piece – either small or large – that you know will put a smile on the face of your loved one! The space should simply make you feel happy and give you that sense of a safe space where you can come and always feel welcome.
Common Circus 10 Year Festival
October 19th, 9am – 4pm
1A Dixon Street, Hamilton 2303
