Ayo is the founder of Ayoissa Designs, a brand that creates diverse and inclusive greeting cards and             stationery. After struggling to find relatable greeting cards that represented her, Ayo began designing her own. The name of her business is derived from her name and her mum’s, making it deeply personal. Ayo’s greeting cards feature designs that resonate, offering representation that speaks straight to the heart – cards that are meant to be kept forever, pure, powerful, and sentimental. Ayoissa Designs also accepts wholesale and       custom orders, allowing customers to create truly unique and meaningful pieces.

Please tell us what is a typical business day for you?
A typical day for me is a mix of mum life and running my business. I’ll start by handling orders checking them, packing them up, and making sure everything’s good to go. Then I’ll catch up on customer messages before looking into creating new designs. Somewhere in there, I make time to create content for social media to stay connected with my audience. It’s a little bit of everything really creativity, admin, and engaging with customers.

What made you start the business and how did you get started?
I was inspired after noticing the lack of diversity in the greeting cards and stationery available in the UK. I wanted to create something more modern and inclusive that really reflects our communities. It actually started with me just making cards and gifts for family and friends. They kept telling me I should sell them, and they encouraged me to start selling them online. Over time, I feel it’s turned into a brand that seems to really connect with people who have felt the same gap.

What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in the business world to date?
Seeing my cards and stationery stocked in stores, online and receiving heartfelt messages from customers who feel represented in my designs has been incredibly rewarding. Knowing that I’ve created something meaningful for others is a really nice feeling.

What has been your biggest challenge in business so far?
I’d say balancing everything. As a small business owner, you’re responsible for literally everything; design, production, marketing, finances you name it. It can feel like you’re doing a million things at once but it’s all worth it.

What are your future plans for the business?
To just keep creating and not limited to just stationery and hopefully grow my retail presence online and social media. Eventually, I’d really love to collaborate with larger brands to bring even more visibility to my brand.

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?
I wish I had started networking and building relationships sooner. Connecting with other small business owners has been so valuable as it’s a great way to learn from each other and share experiences.

Why is it so important to inspire young women in particular to follow their dreams?
It’s important to inspire young women so they see their dreams are possible and feel confident to go after them.

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?
Start small and test your ideas before going all in. Build a strong brand identity and connect with your audience. It’s not just about selling products, but building a community. Also, a big one I would say is don’t be afraid to ask for help or collaborate with others; it can be a huge win for everyone.

What or who inspires you in business and why?
I’m inspired by firstly my family and also other Black-owned businesses that are breaking barriers and making a difference in their industries.

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

I love quotes, and there are so many great ones, but one that really resonates with my business is "Representation matters because you can’t be what you can’t see." It reminds me why I started my business and the importance of what I do.

How do you find trading at the Cygnet Square Market?
Trading at Cygnet Square Market has been such a positive experience. The sense of community is amazing, and it’s a great opportunity to connect directly with customers and hear their feedback. I also like that it's not just a market as there are often other events happening, which all adds to the day.