Stib Meets...Caroline Johnston

Meet the Founder of The Every Space…

The Every Space is a curated gift and plant shop based in Walthomstow, London and also retailing online. With a belief centered upon products that have a positive ethos and a mindful approach to their creation, the store features a carefully handpicked and lovingly curated, eclectic collection of fun, colourful and inspiring goods for kids, adults and family life, many made by independent makers and designers like Stib.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I don’t remember thinking much about it when i was a young child but it was always going to be something creative.  Moving through school and exams I thought I was going to be a graphic designer but that turned into interior architecture at the last minute and I’m happy about that, it was definitely a better fit.

What advice would you give to yourself as a child?

Find your people and don’t stop playing the trumpet.

What was the 'big idea' which inspired you to set up your business?

There wasn’t a light bulb moment as such. My business evolved gradually. I had left a job that had been my career for a very long time and I didn’t know what I was going to do. The Every Space started as an idea for a blog so that I could share my experiences while I was figuring out what to do next.

The idea of the shop was always there in the background because I’d worked with lots of clients designing and opening their stores. While I was thinking through the ideas for the blog content it became clear that it should become a shop. I’d been doing a lot of soul searching too over those months and it was becoming obvious that it needed to be close to home and part of my community. And there was no where to buy the gifts and plants that I wanted. I bought some products and set up a market stall as a test. I had lots of support from family and friends and the local community liked it, so the idea just got bigger.

What do you say to yourself when you need a confidence boost?

I remind myself that I’ve done a lot in a short time. I’ve changed my life for the better for me and my family. (And that things will feel better in the morning!)

What's your favourite Stib word and why?

Joy finder. I love how my kids generate their own happiness and joy for the world. Nothing better when my kids do a huge meaty, belly ache laugh at something random that they find funny. It reminds me not to take life too seriously.

Visit The Every Space here https://www.theeveryspace.com/