Local Business Shoutout: IN.ARTIZ

It is really interesting how you can get connected to other business owners. I have yet to meet Izni and I have never visited her booth. I stumbled upon her on Threads where she posted about herself and her business and would like to get to know other local business owners. I replied and from there, we followed each other on social media. I love what I have seen on her instagram. The beautiful products she has created and the wide range of services she provides.

So for our February's local business shoutout, you and I will get to know even more about Izni and her business, IN.ARTIZ!

Izni and her husband

Photo Credit: Izni

I am so happy to get connected with you, Izni! Share a little about yourself and IN.ARTIZ!

Hey there! I’m Izni, but you can call me Iz or Nuriz—whichever’s easier for you to pronounce!🤪 Currently, working full-time as a Personal Assistant to a Property Agent. Used to be in retail for about 5years. Loved crafting since I was young, but I never really had the time or opportunity to dive into it until recently. And I had a customer came to me at booth asking “Were you in design course?”. Nope! I was in business & events management.😂

IN.ARTIZ is a custom store where you can create the perfect, memorable gift for your loved ones! Started in October 2022. Offering a range of customized items like macrame, acrylic, and engraved keychains, stickers, iron-on labels, pouches, bags, engraved pens, coasters and more exciting things to come!

Photo Credit: IN.ARTIZ

When and why did you decide to create IN.ARTIZ?

It all started with a simple canvas order—just something I was doing during my free time, and then my friends decided to buy it. That’s when I took the leap and started small.

IT JUST HAPPENS. No plans at all honestly.

In December 2022, I decided to invest in a Cricut machine. Honestly, I was really unsure about it at first, but look at where it’s taken me now! I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve received since then.

What are the challenges you faced while building your business?

Time management can be a real challenge, especially when there are deadlines like Teacher’s Day or Children’s Day with bulk orders to fulfil. It definitely keeps me on my toes! I could be working till 3-4am almost daily. But worth it🤘🏼

As for finances, I’d say it’s about 60-40. Advantage - I have a full-time job, so it’s manageable when I decide to introduce new items and invest.

Photo Credit: IN.ARTIZ

Building a brand is definitely the hardest part for me. Even now, I’m not sure how well IN.ARTIZ is known out there. I wonder if customers who’ve purchased from me just once would remember or recommend me to their family and friends. But I’m still pushing through, staying true to myself, and trying to create authentic connections.

Still learning along the way! Let’s see where I’ll be in a few years!✨

What are the things you do daily for your business?

I’m always on Instagram. If I don’t have anything business-related to post, I’ll share random stuff. I totally get how frustrating it can be when your feed is just non-stop business posts, so I try to mix things up. I also like reposting for other sellers and sharing their content. Plus, since my Instagram is linked to my Facebook, anything I post on Insta automatically gets shared to Facebook, which saves me the hassle of posting twice.

What are the most rewarding aspects of being a business owners?

FREEDOM!! Your business, you get to do whatever you want! No one can say anything about it😉 You get to bring your vision to life exactly how you want it. When people truly appreciate what you’ve created, it’s such a rewarding feeling. It makes all the hard work worth it!🫶🏼✨

Who are your role models?

I don’t have a role model, but I do find inspiration in different places. For me, it is all about authenticity and staying true to what I believe in. I look at other small businesses and entrepreneurs who are passionate, dedicated, and genuine with their customers, and that motivates me to keep pushing forward.

I also learn a lot from the feedback I get from my own customers— they’re actually my real inspiration, as their support and trust in my brand keep me striving to grow.

Photo Credit: IN.ARTIZ

What tools, systems, books or resources would you recommend for business owners?

Start small. You dont always have to get a first hand items or items with brands on it. Secondhand items are good too, check for conditions, ask for negotiations. There are quite a number of people (on carousell) who stop crafting & want to clear off.

Youtube is also another platform that you could rely on as there are other crafters/sellers who post videos like tutorials, comparisons between machines/materials etc.

How do you find creativity and inspiration for your business?

Social media, especially Instagram, is where I draw my inspiration and creativity from. I love how the algorithm exposes me to crafters from all over the world.

What advice will you give to aspiring business owners?

Keep learning, keep exploring. You might hit a mental block today, tomorrow, or even the day after, but don’t give up. Take a break if you need to, and then return to it with fresh eyes. Ask for feedback from those around you—they’ll offer perspectives that can spark new ideas. Trust me, your mind will start flowing with inspiration again.🌈

What is the future going to be like for you?

I see the future as a mix of expanding my online presence while also connecting with people face-to-face through booths - to build community and share knowledge. The goal would be to connect deeper with customers, get real-time feedback, and create experiences that they can’t get online. Some people love to see with bare eyes - trust issues with photos🤭 I get that. Thats me at times. Or most people hates waiting - come down & get yours right away.

Also, I’m also constantly seeking new collaboration opportunities with other creators who share similar values, creating partnerships that bring something fresh and exciting to life. So creators, my DM is always open to hear out what you got!

Photo Credit: IN.ARTIZ

Thank you Izni for doing this interview! We appreciate it so much! Do follow IN.ARTIZ here for more updates and products!