Six years ago she arrived in Barrydale uncertain of what the future will hold for her. She had a lifelong dream of owning a shop, but was made to believe that it would never be financially viable.
“When I moved here with my partner I realised that I had to do something that is my passion, something that would excite me when I start my day,” Hearts on Main owner Liske Yara Forest reflected.
Liske had spent the first decade of her adult life in a day job that was simply a means to an end and eventually she realised that she had not followed her passion.
With the little money she had saved up over the years she knew that she had to start following her mother Naki’s advice and use what she had at her disposal to the best of her ability.
Approximately 50 creatives sell their goods from Liske’s shop. She confirmed that 70% of the artists are local and the remaining 30% are based in surrounding areas.
“One night I started working at around 10pm and I worked through the night to create my first textile artwork.”
From there she spent a year focussing exclusively on her art and then she took the bold step of opening up her own shop.
“We started in a very small space at the Tradouw Guesthouse and initially I was not sure what I would sell as at that stage I’d only made a few things and I did not have stock or money to buy stock,” Liske recalls.
Much to her delight it was a matter of a year before the shop was filled up with so many creative items that a move to a bigger premises was required.
She attributed this unexpected growth to the support she had received from the local community and soon found the space next to the OK where Hearts on Main is today.
“The thing I love most about the shop and what I do is the creative people I meet. The shop attracts those people so every day is exciting and rewarding in its own way.”
Near heartbreak as Covid comes into play
Just before the pandemic broke out, Hearts on Main was doing exceptionally well.
The business grew to the point where Liske had started to tap into an overseas market – only for this progress to be halted when the borders were closed.
Fortunately the business found a way to keep on going and she decided to focus more on selling items that local tourists would be interested in.
“To see how the local tourism support started to increase was just amazing.
“People realised that we needed the support to stay afloat and Hearts managed to weather some big storms because of the local support.
“I can’t believe it is five years already – I’m just so very grateful for the support I’ve received from Barrydale and from my friends and family.
Falling in love with Barrydale
Liske is quick to point out that it is the town itself that has played such a huge role in her rediscovery of her artistic flair.
“I love Barrydale and the people here and to be surrounded by so many creatives and to be in a space where I can finally live out my creativity is incredible. I am very grateful for this.”
The artists who sell their work at Hearts in Main also have reason to celebrate five years of business.
Approximately 50 creatives sell their goods from Liske’s shop. She confirmed that 70% of the artists are local and the remaining 30% are based in surrounding areas.
Many of the items on sale are produced by members of my family and of course her mother’s work – Timeless Innovative Creativity – is very popular.
“It is amazing that the shop has grown to the point where the shop can accommodate a part time staffer in Chris Griffin.”
Griffin brings with him 30 years experience in mass retail, merchandising, shop-fitting and with this experience he opened up new avenues to help grow the business.
It is all about the artists at Hearts
“The shop is about the artists, as an artist myself and having dated an artist for many years, I understand just how artists struggle to sell their work, market their work and sometimes even price their work.
At Hearts on Main they help creatives with those daunting tasks and the shop only takes 30% commission which is used to cover their overheads.
“It is very important that the artists make the money they deserve for the work they have done as opposed to the common scenario where shops purchase products at a minimal price and add massive markups.
“Hearts on Main is an ethical business. It is a business with, integrtiy, a conscience, a business of the new earth and it is not just about profit and gain. It is about support and community and upliftment of the artists.”
Liske noted that a big part of the shop is sharing the beauty that is created with the world and when the artists benefit from it, all the better.
Hearts on Main is also extremely popular with men who leave it to the last minute to purchase their Christmas Gifts…even if it is just one of their lovely gift vouchers.
