How Beck Prior has created community spaces for artists and designers to showcase their work

Rebecca , or' ‘Beck’, Prior opened Prior in Bristol in 2019 with the aim of providing a community space for other local artists and designers to showcase and sell their work alongside her own range, Priormade. Beck is a Designer and a Fabricator and has a passion for sustainable, yet high-quality products. Prior is situated in two locations, the tiny original shop is in the heart of Bristol’s Old Market district and the other in the centre of Bristol’s main retail area, Cabot Circus (next door to Oliver Bonas and Ted Baker!). Both shops are the perfect place to bring together talented artists, a trendy vibe and inspiration.

I sat down with Beck on a Monday in January: the Monday that is commonly referred to as ‘Blue Monday’. A total coincidence and by no means a reflection on the task at hand!  In fact quite the reverse. The conversation was incredibly uplifting and inspiring. Beck is such a humble yet talented individual who has not only launched her own successful product-based business, but has created an amazing space for other local artists and makers to showcase their products.

I was curious to know how Beck’s business started.

Ten years ago, I had Leukaemia. This is not something I often talk about, but it was a pivotal moment for my career. I underwent treatment, relapsed and had a bone marrow transplant. Why am I telling you this? I had two years of being able to hone my practice and my creativity. For those two years, I had two goals: to get well, and to get creative. As I began to get stronger following my bone marrow transplant, I began making products to sell at markets. That’s when my product business was born.

Before Leukaemia I used to make large scale props and interactive structures for theatres, festivals and local businesses. One of my clients was Bristol Waste where I made interactive games to help children learn. I do still make large pieces when commissioned by businesses. Product design can be repetitive even for independents at times and taking on these commissions helps to keep my creativity challenged.

I didn’t originally think I wanted a shop. I wanted to make eco products that didn’t look too handmade but looked contemporary. I was outgrowing my studio and the shop I am in now came up for rent, but I couldn’t afford it. A friend suggested crowdfunding - I thought about it and decided to give it a go. I didn’t want to just ask for donations, somehow that didn’t feel right for me. I know it works for other businesses, but I wanted to do it slightly differently, so I sold my products at discounted prices. I didn’t appreciate how many people were looking for a modern eco shop like this! 

I was delighted when I raised £10k which allowed me to buy the machines, set up the workshop and the shop. The benefit of something like that was that people are buying into your dream. They want you to succeed, so they share the story and gradually more people joined in to support me. Many of those are now my long-term customers. People have followed me through my journey which I think is wonderful.

Beck’s story was certainly an inspiring one and it got me wondering where she got her inspiration from.

Inspiration is a funny one. We absorb so much from around us: colours, conversations, patterns. I have always been interested in the Bauhaus German art movement which focused on the functional. Now my practice and products are functional, but beautiful as well as contemporary, mixing abstract shapes with clear geometrical lines. I recently went to an exhibition recently at the Barbican and saw a Japanese American artist Isamu Noguchi. The exhibition was about form and function, it was incredible. I am intrigued by how simple shapes can occupy a space with light and shadows.

Prior is based on being ethical and sustainable but with these now popular buzz words in the mainstream space, I asked Beck whether this has benefited her business.

This is an interesting one. Sustainability is more mainstream now, but there is still so much greenwashing. Then there is the counterargument that sustainability is purely opinion.

At Prior, we ask every maker to fill out a form when they join the shop. This covers details on their processes, waste management and the eco-credentials of their suppliers. We only consider products that have a really good circular economy, made as responsibly as possible, can be kept for a long time, and can be repaired, recycled or reused.  Of course, there will be limitations. Ceramicists for example can’t use solar power to fire their kilns. There will always be things that you can’t get around. Before I took on the big shop, I wrote a business plan and did lots of research.  I found that people really wanted to shop with brands that are aligned with their own personal values – people crave transparency. Having a city centre shop gets the best of both worlds – it gets people who are interested in conscious consumption, but we are also interesting to those who like design trends.

We are a non-profit organisation so all the profits we make go into community projects such as running workshops, and exhibitions. We are just starting to hire out desks in the workshop area for people that work from home but need a change of scenery. We don’t charge but we need to see proof that they have donated to a charity.

Beck is one of many small business owners who have and are doing everything they can to keep afloat despite the pandemic.

The area that the small shop is in does have its limitations on footfall.  You would need to know we are here and want to visit to make the journey to that part of town. We were finding ourselves constantly having to pitch to attract customers. When the pandemic hit and fewer people were going out, we really started to feel the squeeze so we took the leap and opened a bigger shop in the city centre. It was a big gamble but it has paid off.  We don’t have to fight for the footfall. We have lots of young trendy people who like individual, unique products that we sell and the eco is a bonus. The only barrier of the big shop is the expense and the overheads. These are huge for a new business. The business rates are high and if it weren’t for the pandemic and the reduction in business rates we couldn’t afford to stay there. I pay my staff rates above the living wage. That said, so far we are ok.

Being a business owner and a creative in the same breath has its challenges.  Both are important but are at risk of detracting from the other.  Beck seems to have found the balance.

At times it can be hard being both. I am very creative in how I manage both businesses. Because I am supporting lots of makers, I am wowed every day by their stories. I don’t feel uncreative even when doing the business side.  I spend two days per week doing my own work which keeps me focused on that side of things, and I have other wonderful staff to help me with the business side.

I couldn’t help asking Beck if she had achieved all she set out to do. Everything seemed to fit together so wonderfully and business was booming. Could there be more that was driving her?

I realise how brilliant owning the shop and workshop is.  It has enabled me to pull on all of my experiences: creating community cohesion projects, making products, being a maker, running workshops, designing and creating interactive experiences. These all come together when you have a retail shop. So, I have achieved in that sense. I am happy with where I am. My plans are to stabilise all that I have done with the team that works for me in the shop. I can then carry on being the visionary. I enjoy having a head full of ideas and want more time to be creative with my own brand.

I have been very lucky. I have worked hard but I feel like I have also been lucky with the team that I have. Everyone is fantastic and as driven as I am. I had three apprentices from the kickstart scheme that I employed for 6 months. I have now offered them all permanent roles. They all work in the shop. One is particularly interested in stock management, another helps me make products and the other helps me write the copy for the website and press releases. They are like little angels. As for the makers – they are all happy because they are selling lots of products and they know I am doing everything I can to support them.

Beck is I am sure, an inspiration to so many around her. Her humility is such that she also focuses on the achievements of others and finds impetus from that. She clearly has respect for all the (150) makers whose items she stocks, and loves to hear their feedback. She recounts one that has stuck in her mind.

“I’d really like to write a massive gushing email about what a difference Prior Shop has made to my life personally, but I don’t think you’ve time to read it. Short and sweet: thank you Beck for having confidence in my products. As a maker yourself you know how huge that is and the difference that has made to my ability to feel able to continue making. Thank the team helping to sell my things so I can actually feed my family. Basic needs but really it’s that simple”.

If you want to know more about Beck and her wonderful business or would like to get in touch, find her on Instagram and Facebook:

Facebook: @priorshopbristol & @priormade

Instagram: @priorshopbristol & @priormade

Websites: Prior Shop & PriorMade

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Debbie Jacobs is a marketing pro and freelance writer. She Zest Marketing in Berkshire with a wide client base including the lifestyle, legal, and charitable sectors. She specialises in writing content for features, blogs and websites as well as copywriting for social media and press releases.

She is a quirky creative, loves words, speaks Italian and has a passion for home and garden design and up-cycling. Debbie is passionate about helping businesses and entrepreneurs tell their story.

Insta: @Zestmarketingnewbury, FB: @zestmarketingnewbury, Website: https://www.zest-marketing.net/