Meet Anhelina, Founder of Anhelina Hiryliuk Illustrations

This is Anhelina, founder of Anhelina Hiryliuk Illustrations and mum of 1. Find out more about Anhelina and her business below: 

Tell us about your business

I'm an illustrator, creating cosy and comforting products that make people feel hugged by the world, live happily and healthily. My range includes secret book hampers, activity book, greetings cards, stickers, and posters. My bestselling product at the moment is 'To my baby' journal - a journal with prompts for parents to keep treasured memories about their baby from pregnancy till they are 18 years old.

What made you want to start your own business?

I used to work in a high-demanding role in Tech for years. From 2020 onward, I had a few difficult years when my personal and work lives felt overwhelming. I desperately needed a change. That led me to illustration and to Cornwall as well. My brain was full of negative news, and I wanted some level of escapism to a bright, cosy, and warm world. I knew there were people like me who needed that as well.

How do you manage the juggle of running your business around being a mum?

I have zero idea! I'm a new mum, my baby is 9 months old, and I joined this community to hear some wisdom from other mums :)

What’s one thing you’ve learned in your business that you wish you’d known sooner? 

It requires a lot of experimenting to find out the right balance between what I like doing/creating and what people need/want to buy.

What’s your go-to Founder Mum life hack that saves you time or sanity? 

I follow a goal-setting framework that I like. For example, my goal is to grow an Instagram following. Firstly, I'm asking myself WHY? Then I check what my starting point is (let's say 300 followers, x sales from Instagram). What is my desirable point (700 followers, 2x sales from Instagram)? Then I think about what steps I need to take to achieve this goal. What steps can I take this month? And this week? Then, at the end of the week and the month, I do a retro of how helpful these steps were and what should be changed. Use this approach for work and personal goals.

What are your core values when it comes to your business?

1. My products should make people feel hugged, live happily and healthily.

2. They should be eco-friendly.

Why did you join the Founder Mums Club? 

As a new mum, I'm looking into the ways of building a healthy lifestyle, while taking care of my baby and doing things that I like. I love how welcoming and engaging everyone is. I felt supported from the very beginning.

What has been your biggest lesson and what's your advice for other Founder Mums?  

I'm trying to stick to these two thoughts - I'm the only one responsible for my life and everything passes - good or bad.

FOUNDER MUM PROFILE:

Name: Anhelina Hiryliuk

Business: Anhelina Hiryliuk Illustrations

Instagram: @angelina.illustrations

Website: www.etsy.com/shop/AnhelinaIllustration

Based in: Cornwall