Rebeka Kahn Artwear specialises in the creation of three- dimensional art pieces made from ceramic and glass employing the ancient Japanese method of raku firing. The method produces a distinctive glaze by using organic materials such as wood chips, nuts or paper that results in each piece being unique.
Currently operating from her Dublin home in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains, Kahn employs seven people full- and part-time, while her wall art is stocked in more than 40 outlets nationwide.
What's sets your business apart from the competition? The process involved makes the product is pretty unique. It was a process that involved quite a lot of trial and error, specifically error, but we have now perfected our own method of doing things. With raku the weather can affect the results as the art work is burned outdoors after firing. A tiny variation in conditions or in temperature can affect the outcome – that's what keeps it exciting.
Also, almost 100 per cent of our raw materials is sourced in Ireland. There’s just one small product we use that we don’t source here.
What was the best piece of business advice you've ever received? 'If you love what you're working at then you'll never really feel like you're working.'
When I started this I was doing ceramics as a hobby. I had done graphic design in college (Kahn runs two other businesses – Lighthouse Media and Future Grafix) and was making ceramic jewellery. I was making the larger art pieces in the background and launched them at the Winter Fair in Dalkey to an great response. I then exhibited at Bloom 2014 and that is where Marian O’Gorman, chief executive of Kilkenny, came across my work. Within a few months I was stocked in all their stores.
What's the biggest mistake you've made in business? Apart from not being prepared for the sudden high demand for my product, I really regret not having the courage to launch them and show them to the public sooner. I say to myself: 'If only I had started this years ago.'
Another mistake was going into business with people I didn’t know in the past. I left that partnership with the lesson learned that you should only go into business with people that you know and trust.
And your major success to date? Getting into 40-plus stores countrywide. Getting into all the Kilkenny stores was great for exposure. It's been a huge contribution to our business so far.
I’m also proud of how I managed to pull myself out of the depths of recession. We made bad decisions and I basically lost everything, so to be doing well with this business. . . I’m almost afraid to believe it.
People send me the most incredibly emotional emails thanking me for their artwork. It feels like a success to be able to make people so happy. When you’ve been working your fingers to the bone, it’s very uplifting to read something like that.
Who do you most admire in business and why? Orla Kiely is someone I admire quite a lot. She started off with her husband making hats from her apartment. Now she has expanded her range and designs everything from kitchenware to cars.
I admire many people in business, especially anyone who can be successful while maintaining a good balance between work/life and family. I mentioned her already, but I do admire Marian O’Gorman, who has a fantastic family business which not only continued trading but also actually grew during the downturn.
Based on your experience in the downturn, are the banks in Ireland open for business to SMEs? I am currently in talks with the bank for a loan for my new studio. I think they are open to business to anyone that they see has repayment capacity. I don't think they are ever going to take the same risks again.
What one piece of advice would you give to the Government to help stimulate the economy? I would love if they could do something about employers' PRSI charges. They all talk about boosting employment yet employers are basically penalised for employing people. They could also continue to drive the Buy Irish campaign and address the artist tax exemption. I think that if they increased the artist exemption it would encourage film-makers and similar businesses to come back to Ireland.
What's been the biggest challenge you have had to face? Trying to maintain a normal lifestyle with my four children, trying to find the right staff (though I am happy to say I've a great team now) and working from home.
Because we have expanded so quickly, the business has completely overtaken the house. There is a 20’ by 10’ fire-proofed shed in the garden which holds the kiln, in the hallway there is floor-to-ceiling palette racking, what used to be the dining room is the glazing room, one part of the living room is the stock room – my kids are at their bedroom doors saying: ‘You’re not coming in here with that stuff!’
How do you see the short- term future for your business? I would like to examine the export market more. We have secured our first two stockists in the US recently and I would like to grow the US and UK side of the business. We have a new website which is launching in the next few weeks. We hope to show at a trade show in the UK next year but at the moment we are inundated with orders in the Irish market.
I’m looking forward to getting the new studio. It will be easier to work in a more comfortable, organised workspace.
What's your business worth and would you sell it? Would you sell your baby? That's what this business is to me. I couldn't sell it. I also think it would be difficult to put a price on it when I am so much a part of the business. I've an input in every single piece we create. Sometimes I don't even want to send them away to the shops because I love them so much.
In conversation with Ruth O’Connor
rebekakahnartwear.com
