Behind the Brand: Alma Custom Designs

When it comes to nursery décor, Alma Custom Designs are your go-to for unique custom prints (big and small), height charts, and posters. Their Custom Letter Prints will make a style statement in any nursery, but what we love best about them is that they won’t be outgrown in a hurry – perfect in a nursery, or as part of your older child’s room. And with so many font and colour options, there is something to suit everyone!

{ Image: @thesmallthing_au }

So, who’s behind the biz?

Alma Custom Designs is the creative brainchild of sisters Alison & Emma (Alma). Alison AL + Emma MA = ALMA. Clever, huh? Emma lives in Geelong with her husband of five years and two young boys and is a primary school teacher working one day a week. Alison lives in Melbourne with her husband of two years, little Gus who is 1, and a baby due in September. Alison is a graphic designer working for the AFL who has just started maternity leave for the second time.

Despite living in different cities, the girls see each other most weeks (if not every second week!) But even so, most of their work is done over the phone or by email. Working around day jobs, husbands, young children, and everyday life, these two super-organised biz babes have figured out a system to keep their business running smoothly: Emma deals with customers, printing and packaging (all local) and Alison is the creative genius. As Emma says, “It’s a good way to do it because when we talk to people, their first question is always how do we keep up with it all? But it’s easy when we have the work split between the two of us!”

Their story

Their idea started quite a few years ago, and has since evolved into the thriving business it is today. Originally Emma was wanting a customised tram scroll for her husband, and so she had Alison create one for her. “We saw a hole in the market for good quality but affordable decor items and figured we might have a business here but put it on the back burner for a while until I had my first child.”

Alison suggested that Emma could take on the admin side of things, and she would take the design part. But it wasn’t until Emma was on maternity leave that she approached Alison about actually starting the business. Like so many of us, she knew she didn’t want to go back to work, and wanted to do something where she could spend time with the kids. In October 2014 they finally decided to give it a “red hot crack” and so here they are today!

Their inspiration comes from a broad range of things and people, but the main inspiration is family, friends and home life. The girls pride themselves on creating products that excite them and that they would use / hang / gift themselves.