Samitomoto is a design business that celebrates creativity! Its core product - the Samitomoto drawing game - is an innovative, non competitive creative drawing card game designed to stimulate the imagination, open creative channels and to help children, families and creative adults to draw with delight!
Starting up the business
In 2007 I went through a process of creative recovery after reading Julia Cameron’s book; ‘The Artists Way'. I had not drawn for 17 years after leaving Art School and realised though reading the book that although I was running a creative business at that time, there was a great yearning to draw and create inside me!
Once I had worked through the creative blocks and started to draw again, I realised I wanted to design products that helped people to have a lot of fun with the creative process - and drawing in particular!
I carried the idea for the Samitomoto drawing game around for a year, testing it on my family and friends and playing with the idea- before I applied for the Lighthouse Brilliant Idea loan, to help fund the initial print run.
Receiving a microcredit loan
I am planning to use the loan to fund the next print run of the Samitomoto drawing game, so that we can keep our suppliers fully stocked and keep growing as we head into our important second Christmas season!
Creating a sustainable business
I believe the Microcredit loan will help by allowing me to grow my business organically, by allowing me to keep investing in game stock and to grow at an healthy and achievable pace.
The Brilliant Idea Program
During the loan process, I have learned that good ideas attract funding and that there are amazing ways to build a business on small sums of money, if the idea is great and viable! I’m hugely grateful to the Lighthouse team for their support, mentoring, workshops and belief in Samitomoto and I during Samitomoto’s first year.
Top tips
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| Drawing by Mel |
My advice is to believe in your self and your idea, test it, refine it, and give it all you’ve got - at some stage you are going to have to make the jump. Accept that not all ideas work, but persist and give it your all and remember that what you focus on grows - so pursue your dreams!
What next?
In 2012 I wish to start the next editions of the Samitomoto drawing game and release them slowly. Currently we are stocked in 25 shops, so my plan is to grow that to 50+ shops by the end of 2012.
I also have my eye on expanding to the UK market and am looking to license my game in Europe and also the USA.
I’m also seeking investors to help me produce the Android and Apple tablet/Iphone version of the Samitomoto drawing game.
The possibilities to spread creative drawing joy across the world with Samitomoto are endless!
My biggest wish is to spend my time travelling, drawing and inspiring children and adults across the world.
Contact details
Samantha Simpson-Morgan
Samitomoto
http://www.samitomoto.com
Drawing by Samantha Simpson-Morgan
Posted 14 November 2011
