ILLUSTRATOR and comic artist Emily Moore knows how to catch your eye.
Creating loveable characters and fun-filled worlds of adventure come naturally to her.
Emily’s business Foxhat is our Business of the Week and here the talented Warringtonian tells us how she started her journey into the world of comics and cartoons, she shares the secret of her success and her plans for the coming year.
If you would like to appear in one of our business features, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk
What’s your full name?
Emily Moore
What’s the name of the business?
Foxhat
What’s the address?
I don’t have a physical shop but I do have an Etsy marketplace shop which can be found at foxhatcomics. You can find my work in HMV Warrington and Liverpool, Scott’s Pops and Comics shop in Warrington Market and I’ll be in Kenji Liverpool in April this year.
Are you the owner/manager?
Yes
When did you open the business?
I started working as a freelancer after graduating from Staffordshire University in 2016. I then did a small relaunch with help from The Prince’s Trust in 2021.
Are you local to the area? Did you grow up here?
Yes, I was born in Warrington, leaving to go to university.
Tell me a bit about your business
I’m an illustrator and comic artist. I love drawing cute fluffy things likes foxes as well as taking people on an adventure with my comics.
What do you do? What services do you provide?
I offer personal and commercial commissions, ranging from drawing pets to illustrating books for authors and others, the latest being Leave No Footsteps by Judy Brulo. I also sell my art as prints, keyrings, comic books and stickers, through the Etsy platform and stalls at makers’ markets and comic cons.
READ MORE:
“Fitmums is more than just a way to keep fit – it’s a fitness community”
Why did you decide to open your own business?
I’ve always loved to draw and thought I could make people smile with some of my sketches and drawings. I hoped it would block out a bit of the bad with something cute or an adventure in my comics.
What’s your business background?
I studied cartoon and comic arts at university where we learnt about selling our work at comic cons. I’ve also been working with The Prince's Trust through their Enterprise Programme.
Why this type of business?
I’ve always been interested in art and comics so I thought I’d give it a shot.
How did the Covid-19 pandemic affect your business?
The Covid pandemic made it very difficult as all the comic conventions I’d planned to go to were cancelled, which meant I lost a lot of business and growth. Online sales also slowed as people spent less money on art and I wasn’t able to invest in new products.
What makes your business different to others in the same area/field? What sets your business apart from your competitors?
My art style is quite different to others out there and very cute.
READ MORE:
Parlez-vous français? Fun French classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers
Why do loyal customers return to your business?
Customers love the cuteness and quality of my products. Those that love my comics enjoy the storyline, the characters and worlds I create. People return for commissions because I believe in honest communication on the progress of their project and I work hard to understand what they are after, producing quality work.
What’s next? What do the next few months hold for you and your business?
My next goal is to launch a Kickstarter to help fund the printing of a physical copy of my welcoming Therian Tail. I hope to launch this in March, along with creating new cute products I hope people will love.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here