PROMOTING the work of Australian artists is a big motivator for Shenton Park resident Lia Simmonds in expanding her wholesale business, Outsource Marketing.
“A lot of artists have great products, but don’t know how to get them out there,” she said.
Armed with a background in marketing and sales she had put to use working for a hearing aid supplier, Ms Simmonds started her own web-based business last year.
“I’ve always had an interest in art and I wanted to combine a lifestyle choice with a job, as I’d dabbled in wanting to run my own business,” she said.
Ms Simmonds has since compiled a sizeable list of WA retailers such as Evolve Gifts and Homewares that stock items like hand-made greeting cards, art prints and jewellery.
“Customers love the fact it’s made in Australia, which is a point of difference between me and a lot of other wholesalers that import from China,” she said.
Describing the four Australian artists on her books as bold and colourful, Ms Simmonds said she ultimately hoped to sell works by eight creative boffins, branching out into handbags and a greater variety of jewellery.
“Its good knowing the money is going towards their art supplies and allowing artists to create more, which is probably what they enjoy most,” she said.
A big focus for Ms Simmonds is to keep prices competitive and she said this aspect often surprised potential stockists who underestimated the popularity of customers wanting to buy Australian.
Hand decorated pocket mirrors are a hot seller, which Ms Simmonds said has become “the latest craze” for teenagers.