Owen’s journey – launching Scribble Whiskers with SeeAbility’s support
July 25, 2025
Rhian Airey is a Senior Supported Employment Coach at SeeAbility – one of WE Work for Everyone’s specialist supported employment delivery partners. Their role is to support participants in the community to move towards paid work. Rhian has written this account of working with WE Work participant Owen to develop their own business.
How I Started Working with Owen
Owen first connected with SeeAbility after being referred by a WE Work for Everyone Navigator. From our earliest conversations, it was clear that Owen possessed a genuine passion for art and a strong desire to transform this passion into a freelance career. What Owen needed was practical guidance, encouragement and access to the right expertise to make her dream a reality.
When Owen reached out, they were seeking structured support to start trading as a freelance artist, guidance on promoting her work effectively, connections to new freelancing and commissioned illustration opportunities, and both motivation and business tools to help her move forward with confidence.
My Role as Owen’s Supported Employment Coach
It has been a privilege to support Owen as she launched her business, Scribble Whiskers. Together, we clarified her artistic vision and mapped out a step-by-step action plan. We researched local artists and markets, updated her website to best showcase her work, and explored various methods for self-promotion, pricing, and handling commissioned assignments. We also sought out suitable selling platforms and local opportunities, including market stalls and craft fairs, and navigated contracts and timelines for a commissioned project with SeeAbility. This particular project provided Owen with the opportunity to learn from graphic designers and gain exposure to professional briefs. Throughout the process, I prioritized offering advice and encouragement, while empowering Owen to take ownership of her journey.
“Owen’s drive and creativity are inspiring. My role has been to guide, encourage, and provide practical steps, while Owen takes proactive strides toward becoming a freelance artist.” 
Steps We Took Together
Over the course of our partnership, Owen has demonstrated incredible initiative and growth. She took the lead in developing a focused business plan for Scribble Whiskers, defining her target markets and establishing clear goals. She registered her business, launched her online store, and created engaging marketing materials. Owen thoroughly prepared for and attended local craft fairs and market stalls, successfully selling her prints and connecting with new customers. She also accepted commissions, including an important piece for SeeAbility’s colleague pride event, and built a professional social media presence to reach a wider audience.
Reflections on Owen’s Journey
Watching Owen’s journey has been a pleasure. Since we began working together, I have witnessed a significant increase in her confidence—both as a creative professional and as a business owner.
Owen now actively pursues commissioned artwork and excels at fairs, resulting in consistent sales and new client connections. Through ongoing promotion of her Scribble Whiskers online store, she is generating new streams of income. Owen’s commissioned work for SeeAbility, featured at Bristol Pride via her designs for stickers, banners, and flags, has significantly strengthened her professional portfolio.
“Since working with Owen, I have played only a small part in her progress—it is a privilege to see her business flourish and her confidence grow. Owen’s achievements are a testament to her hard work and talent.”
Owen’s Perspective
“For me, Rhian (SeeAbility) was able to help organise and propose ideas, build confidence in my skills, and opened the door for my first big illustration commission.
It felt great to see my artwork used at Pride this year. It’s wonderful to know that other people like and appreciate the things that I can create. During the commission process, I learned how to manage my time and energy for future projects like these. Working with client briefs and having regular communication with Rhian and the SeeAbility team was invaluable for organising my own ideas and hearing about others. I also learned about accessible design, which was incredibly interesting.
I have since taken on another professional commission, collaborating with a small business to create branding and materials for an upcoming course. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to exhibit my art at the Bristol Harbour Festival. I will soon be selling greeting cards, stickers, and prints at a local gift shop that highlights Bristol artists (We Make Bristol, Westbury-on-Trym), as well as my local church coffee shop. I hope to continue accepting design commissions, stocking my art in local stores, selling it at markets, and using internet platforms like Etsy.
My advice to others is...just keep going – even small steps count. Do what you can, when you can and don’t beat yourself up if you can’t get everything done. Accept help when you need it, and even when you think you don’t. If support is available, take it, because you don’t need to do everything alone.”
I look forward to seeing where Owen takes Scribble Whiskers next
Visit Scribble Whiskers website here Scribble Whiskers Homepage and Etsy page here ScribbleWhiskers – Etsy UK
