Celebrating seven years of Holme & Moss

Our journey, seven years of Holme & Moss

Wow - seven years! It’s crazy to think that what started as a little idea between a mother and daughter has turned into the small business we put our hearts into every day.

To celebrate and thank you for your amazing support, we’re giving away a free Liberty coaster with every order this week (14th - 20th April, whilst stocks last) - no code needed, it’ll be added to your basket automatically!

We had no idea where this journey would take us, but here we are - still making, still growing, and still pinching ourselves that we get to do this for a living! 

How It All Began 

Back in 2018, my mum, Kate, was just about to retire as a school librarian (she's always been the creative one, sewing since a young girl). I gave her a gentle nudge - or maybe a not-so-subtle push - to turn her talent into something more. She focused on making, and I took the reins on the digital and marketing side of things. 

Coming up with a name was the first challenge (turns out naming a business is harder than it seems!), but then inspiration struck. Holme Moss - the stunning moorland we’ve called home for over 35 years - felt like the perfect fit and Holme & Moss was born ('Holme' pronounced with a silent 'l'!).

From hair clips to…well, a lot more!

From our first handmade Liberty print bow clip to an expansive range of beautifully crafted hair accessories and gifts, we have evolved beyond what we ever imagined.

Over the years, we have:

• Handmade over 20,000 hair accessories, ensuring comfort and quality in every piece.

• Expanded beyond our online store, now featuring in some of the most beautiful independent boutiques across the UK.
  

• Joined multiple marketplaces, including Etsy, Not On The High Street, and Country Living Marketplace, reaching even more Liberty lovers!
• Become an official Liberty Fabrics stockist, now offering fabric by the half or full metre - perfect for quilting, dressmaking, and home sewing projects.
  
• Supported fellow small businesses by stocking Liberty print products from other talented makers, including beautiful jewellery by Bunny Bosworth and stunning greetings cards from The Charming Press.
  
• Expanded our range to now include a thoughtfully curated selection of Liberty print gifts, such as lavender heart gift sets, eye pillows and stationery.
  

• Built a loyal customer base that continuously supports us, shares photos of our creations, and spreads the word.

• Created a strong community of makers, collaborating with fellow small businesses and being part of an inspiring network.

• Taken Holme & Moss full-time, allowing us both to leave our traditional jobs behind to pursue our passion wholeheartedly.
   

What we've learned...

Running a small business isn’t just about creating beautiful products - it’s about constantly learning, adapting, and growing. As trends shift and customer expectations change, we've learned that staying flexible and open to innovation is key to long-term success. 

Here are some of the biggest lessons we've learned along the way:

1. Believe in your craft

   We were overjoyed when we received our very first sale! When we first set up the business, we doubted whether people would love our products as much as we did. But with time, dedication, and customer feedback, we’ve learnt that quality and passion shine through in everything we create.
   
   

2. Quality over everything

   We have always prioritised quality, ensuring every piece is beautifully made, durable, and designed for all-day comfort. From only working with the highest quality fabrics, Liberty Fabrics, to the careful stitching of each product, our attention to detail is meticulous. Every seam, fold, and finish is thoughtfully crafted to create long-lasting products. Quality isn’t just about appearance - it’s about making sure our customers receive products they can use time and time again.
     

3. Community is everything

   One of the biggest surprises? The amazing support from our wonderful customers and fellow makers. Whether it's kind messages, tagged photos, Instagram collaborations or chats at local markets, the small business community is full of cheerleaders - and we love being part of it!
     

4. Adapt and Evolve

   Our business has changed significantly since we launched. Initially, we sold Liberty print tops and pocket mirrors, but we soon discovered our true niche - Liberty print hair accessories. Over time, as our customer base grew, so did our understanding of what people were looking for. This led us to expand our collection, evolving from a small range of accessories into a thoughtfully curated selection of gifts, stationery, and jewellery.
   
   Adapting to changing trends and listening to customer feedback has been key to our growth. Whether it’s introducing new product lines, refining our packaging, or carefully selecting makers whose work aligns with our ethos, we’ve embraced evolution as an exciting part of our journey.
    

5. Don't put all your eggs in one basket!

   When Joules went into administration, we lost one of our biggest sales channels overnight. And let’s not even get started on the rollercoaster that is Etsy algorithms! It was a tough but important lesson: relying too much on one platform is risky.
   
   This is something many businesses recently experienced with the proposed TikTok ban. Some companies that relied solely on TikTok Shop for sales almost went out of business overnight when restrictions were introduced.
   
   This experience has taught us the importance of building our own platform, driving traffic to our website, and growing a direct relationship with our customers. While marketplaces are still a valuable platform, since shifting our focus to our own online store, we’ve seen incredible growth and gained more control over our brand and sales - providing stability for long-term success.
   
   

6. Listen, Learn and Grow

   One of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned is the importance of listening to our customers. Their feedback has shaped everything, from our product designs to the way we package our orders. As buying habits change, we’ve had to evolve - whether that’s introducing new designs, adjusting our sustainability efforts, or refining our online shopping experience. Staying open to change and continuously improving is what keeps Holme & Moss moving forward.
   
   

7. Take a break!

   Running a small business, especially as a family-run team of two, means wearing many hats - designing, making, packing, marketing, and everything in between. For years, we have been taking turns to go on holiday rather than taking time off together - with customer expectations for fast deliveries and convenience, we felt we had to always be available. But one of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that the business will survive a week off - and more importantly, we need that time to rest, recharge, and spend quality time together.
   
   Stepping away, even briefly, gives us the space to return with fresh ideas and renewed energy. Prioritising well-being is essential for sustaining a creative and thriving business. We now remind ourselves that taking a break doesn’t mean letting our customers down - it means ensuring we can continue doing what we love for years to come.
   
   

8. Celebrate every win!

   From our first sale to our 20,000th, every order still brings us so much joy. Running a small business is full of challenges, but the moments of success - big or small - make it all worth it.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate seven years, we just want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported us - whether you’ve bought from us, shared our posts, or simply cheered us on. 

We’d love to hear from you! Comment below and share any business lessons you’ve learned, tell us what you’ve enjoyed most about following our journey, or simply drop us a message to wish us a happy birthday! Your support means everything to us, and we’re so grateful to have you as part of our story.

We’re so excited for what’s next: new designs, collaborations, and continuing to bring joy through our handmade creations. Here’s to the next chapter of Holme & Moss!

Anna & Kate x