It’s Indie Friday! This week’s guest: Aime Cox-Tennant of Studio Cotton
Posted on 7th October 2022
This week’s Small Business star is Aime Cox-Tennant, founder of Studio Cotton, a website company in Bristol. Have a read!
If you are interested in sharing your love for indie, please contact Geraldine.
Please introduce yourself and tell us what you’re up to at the moment
I am Aime Cox-Tennant, founder of Bristol website company Studio Cotton and small business obsessive. Right now we’re launching websites for some amazing Bristol brands (keep an eye out on our Instagram to spot ‘em) as well as sharing heaps of advice to help makers who DIYed their websites make the most of online sales.
Please tell us why you love shopping with independent businesses
I love the variety and originality of their products. Highstreet giants and the global brands that dominate online can often blend together into one big bland homogenous blob. Seeking out small and indie brands opens up a new world of unique and creative products.
I trust small businesses to be kinder to the environment. I’m not naïve and know that small-ness isn’t a guarantee of sustainable values, but I do know that fast fashion and mass-consumerism means that at least someone, somewhere is likely being exploited and our planet is suffering from their actions.
And for a slightly more cheerful one, I like knowing my money is more likely going back into the local economy. I find it kinda depressing visiting different city centres across the UK and seeing the same brand names, even mores when you know their profits are lining pockets and yachts hundreds and thousands of miles away.
Supporting independent businesses increases the chances that the £30 I’ve spent on a vase becomes £20 that brand owner spends on brunch at my favourite venue, which becomes £10 spent on a ticket to a local festival and so on.
Have you got favourite indie makers and brands you’d like to share with us?
The People Shop – I am on a bit of a mission to own their Portland Dress in every colour.
Wild Source – their facemasks are my go-to regular indulgence.
Woollen Wytch – as a crochet fiend I am always lusting over these yarns.
Do you shop at markets or indie shops? If so, please let us know which ones and why you love them?
You can’t beat The Frome Independent market – it’s beyond impressive how make makers this event attracts and it’s a great way to find new brands outside of my Bristol bubble. My tip is to get there for opening time and plan to eat lunch at 11:30. You’ll beat the queues and get more time for mooching around the stalls 🙂
I’m very lucky that my studio is next door the Bristol’s famous St Nicks Market which means all the access to the best food in the West Country. My most popular go-tos are Eatchu, Matina and Woky Ko as well as Tia Julia on the Wine Street market and an obligatory Pippin doughnut (or 3) on a Friday.
About Aime Cox-Tennant
I am Aime Cox-Tennant, founder of Studio Cotton – a Bristol-based website company for small businesses. As well as designing and building websites exclusively for independent brands, we’ve spent over 6 years helping small businesses grow with yummy in-depth website content, one-to-one support via consultations, and an absolute tonne of free advice shared via the Studio Cotton blog and @studio.cotton on Instagram.
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Author: Mandy Stephens
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