What does it take to turn something you make into a business?

Making something beautiful is one thing. Getting it into people's hands is something else entirely. In this activity you'll hear from a jewellery designer who does everything – from woodcutting to photography to packaging – and why finding customers is the hardest part.

This activity is designed to be flexible and can be used as follows:

  • During a lesson - 30 minutes. Students work in pairs and then share their reflections with the rest of the class.
  • During tutor time - 20 minutes. Students watch the video independently and then discuss one of the topics together.
  • As homework - Students watch the video on their own and complete the reflection at their own pace.

This activity supports the following frameworks:

  • Gatsby Benchmark 5
  • PSHE Association KS3 codes L4, L5, L12
  • PSHE Association KS4 codes L3, L8

1. Before you start

Take a moment to think about the following question:

  • Do you make anything - art, music, food, clothes, crafts? If you wanted to sell it, what else would you need to do beyond just making it?

If you're working with a partner or team, share and compare your thoughts before continuing.

2. Watch the video

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Aditi Abraham - Jewellery & Textile Designer

Aditi is the founder and creative director of Adnovel, a jewellery brand based in India. She designs every piece herself - but she also handles manufacturing, photo shoots, websites, marketing, and managing the artisans who bring her designs to life. Each product goes through a process from sketch to woodcutter to polishing to packaging before it reaches anyone.

While watching the video, listen for the following:

  • How many different tasks does Aditi do in a typical day - beyond designing?
  • What does Aditi say is the hardest part of her job, and why?

3. Reflect and discuss

First, add a personal reflection based on the following:

  • What is one thing about running a creative brand that you hadn't thought about before watching this video?

Next, think about the following and discuss with your partner or group:

  • Aditi says "a founder has to do everything" - designing, manufacturing, photo shoots, websites, marketing. Does that change how you think about starting your own business? What skills would you need beyond the creative ones?
  • Each of Aditi's products goes from a sketch to a woodcutter, then polishing, packaging, and a photo shoot before it reaches a customer. What does that process tell you about the gap between having an idea and getting it into someone's hands?
  • Aditi says the hardest part is finding the right people to sell to - "not everybody would love what you make." If you made something you were proud of, how would you go about finding the people who'd want it? What would make that hard?