Stib Meets...Hellen Stirling Baker
Stib Meets…
Hellen Stirling Baker is the inspirational founder of Small Stuff UK; the home of hand-selected, sustainable and passionately made children's home-wares, accessories and clothing.
Small Stuff (smallstuff.co.uk) is based on an ethos of buying beautiful, stylish and considerately made products; generally buying well and buying less, championing less mass consumption, more careful packaging and buying things that will last.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a hairdresser when I was growing up, I absolutely loved hair and fashion and well all things creative really. I used to send hours colouring in my dolls clothes and chopping at their hair - I’m sure my mom wasn’t too impressed, but she always praised my effort!
What advice would you give to yourself as a child?
Enjoy it, time really does fly - pursue what you believe in and make time to play and create everyday.
What was the 'big idea' which inspired you to set up your business?
When I had my son, who’s now 2 - I found it hard to find children’s clothing and toys that came with a story. There was an overwhelming amount of plastic, noisy and easily breakable things for sale and I wanted to bring back things that are meant to be kept or handed down.
What do you say to yourself when you need a confidence boost?
“Keep on keeping on..” I often look at the reviews from my lovely customers when I’m feeling low. Everything starts somewhere and every single up or down is a lesson learnt.
What's your favourite Stib word and why?
World Changer. I absolutely love this quote by Mahatma Gandhi; “Be the change you want to see in the world", the passion in these words are just so strong. We can’t sit around and wait for change to happen, we need to take life by the horns and believe in what we want to do.