How I Accidentally Started My Business

I never planned to become a business owner.

I didn’t have a business plan, savings, or some big dream of becoming an entrepreneur. I was working part-time in a cafe when I made some “save the dates” for my best friend - and that one small thing quietly changed the entire direction of my life.

I had no idea at the time, but that was the beginning of everything.

I never planned any of this

Before Hoppity Designs, I was living what you’d probably call a pretty normal life.

I worked as a support worker in a children’s home, supporting children with very complex needs and incredibly difficult pasts. A lot of the children communicated through challenging behaviour, because that was the only way they knew how to express what they were feeling.

It was a tough job. But it was also one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, and I genuinely loved it - almost every part of it anyway.

Unfortunately, I was made redundant after less than a year, which also meant I wasn’t entitled to redundancy pay. So just like that, I had to figure out what came next.

No plan. No backup. Just… next.

The job that didn’t feel right

After that, I went on to work in another children’s home, but it just wasn’t the same. It was further away, the environment felt cliquey, and I just didn’t feel like myself there.

So I left and started working in a cafe.

And honestly, that’s where things started to shift.

The cafe… and the first “yes”

While I was working there, my manager mentioned he needed business cards but couldn’t afford to get them made professionally. He asked if anyone could help.

And for some reason… I said yes.

I used my dad’s printer to print them and his guillotine to cut them — which I still use to this day. It’s actually become something really special to me, especially since we sadly lost my dad in January after a short illness.

At the time though, I didn’t really think much of it. I just remember sitting there thinking… who do I think I am making 1,000 business cards for a cafe I’ve just started working in?

Was I okay? Probably not.

But I did it anyway.

I’ve always been a bit “creative chaos”

Looking back, I’ve always had little creative phases.

I tried Avon, I made and sold scrapbooks (why people bought them I will never know), I made hampers at one point, I was basically just finding things to keep myself busy.

I never saw it as a business. Just hobbies. Things to do.

Although I do still have one scrapbook I made for my Nan, which came back to me after she passed away… so that one will always mean a lot.

Saying yes changed everything

After leaving the cafe, I went to work in a retail catalogue-style store (you probably know the one).

And then my best friend asked me to make her save the dates for her wedding.

Of course, I said yes.

Then something strange happened. She started telling people. And suddenly I had more requests. Invitations, cards, little design jobs here and there.

Nothing planned. Nothing official. Just… people asking, and me saying yes.

Looking back, if I’d said no to those early things, I genuinely don’t think I’d be here now.

That’s when I unknowingly started a business.

I even made a Facebook page called CD’s Prints - which stood for Chloe Danielle’s Prints (because my middle name is Danielle… and I printed things, obviously).

The branding was… not my finest moment. I made it in Microsoft Publisher and it was honestly awful. If you’ve ever seen it, you’ll know. If you haven’t, consider yourself lucky.

From spare room chaos to something real

I started selling business cards, leaflets, thank you cards, order books, invitations and eventually stickers too (although I wasn’t printing those myself at the time).

I set up an Etsy shop and worked from my spare bedroom after my day job. Work, come home, make, pack orders, repeat.

Then Covid hit.

Covid… and everything slowing down (or speeding up)

When lockdown happened, the retail job closed and I went on voluntary furlough - which basically meant I wasn’t being paid. Not ideal… but it gave me time.

So I put everything into the business.

I started making things like wish bracelets and pocket hugs for people to send to loved ones during lockdown. And weirdly… it took off.

For the first time, I didn’t need my “normal job” income. I was just working for myself, from home, making things people actually wanted.

And despite everything going on at the time, that period was honestly one of the best years of my life.

I know that sounds strange to say, but I really found myself that year.

I stopped overthinking everything and just… made things. Sold things. Repeated it.

No big strategy. No perfect plan. Just doing.

And somehow, that worked.

Hoppity Designs was never planned — it just grew

That’s the thing I always come back to.

If I had waited until I felt ready, I would never have started. Because I never do feel ready for anything.

The business didn’t begin with a perfect logo or strategy or branding. It began with me just saying yes to small things and figuring it out along the way.

And honestly, that’s still how it feels sometimes.

Everything just… evolved naturally. One step led to the next without me really realising I was building something bigger.

Looking back… maybe it was meant to happen

I truly believe everything happens for a reason.

At the time, losing my job didn’t feel like a “good thing” at all. But if that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have gone to the cafe. I wouldn’t have made those business cards. I wouldn’t have said yes to any of it.

And I definitely wouldn’t be here now, running Hoppity Designs full-time.

So in a strange way… it changed everything.

Even when it didn’t feel like it would.

What I’ve learned

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s that you don’t always need a perfect plan.

You just need to start.

The biggest changes in your life usually don’t come from huge decisions — they come from small ones. A yes to a friend. A favour for someone. A random opportunity you don’t overthink.

Mine started with some wedding invitations.

And everything else followed from there.

So if you’re sitting there thinking about starting something… honestly?

Just start.

Watch the full story

If you want the full sit-down version of this story (with photos and old work included), I’ve also talked about it in a YouTube video where I go into even more detail.

👉 Watch here.