Indie Oxford Stories: Molly Palmrock – artist, gardener, community connector

How would you describe your business in a sentence?

I’m an Oxford-based artist, gardener, and community connector. From leading workshops, creating prints, to designing community art installations, everything I do is centred on mindfulness, sustainability, and inclusion.

What first inspired you to start your business – was there a lightbulb moment?

It was actually being made redundant! I always wanted to focus on art and nature, but life never let me. I was so drained from my office job, I didn’t have the energy to do what I love.

I also found work was making me feel anxious and inadequate. Everything seemed so much harder for me than anyone else. Then I developed chronic pain. It turned out I had been living all that time with undiagnosed dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, and hEDS. Office jobs were never made for people like me, and I’d never catch up.

When my last job ended, I decided to make a change. I wanted to do things that brought me joy, and do things that bring others joy. Like creating things, taking things slow, making a difference, and creating a life that works for me.

Now I’m self-employed, doing what I love: Gardening, art, accessibility training, and community building. And I finally feel like me.

How did you actually get started?

I put myself out there. I’m really lucky that my wife runs a community nonprofit, so I could apply for funding under that. I always wanted to do a queer allotment, and it seemed like the perfect time to finally do it! It’s a great way to make a difference while earning a living, and I can use it to pilot some nature-based workshops.

For my art, I already had a couple of workshops, so I created some new marketing materials and started emailing anyone who might be interested! Think art spaces, but also garden centres and community hubs.

I also did some community art work for free to build my portfolio. I think it’s important to make the work you want to make, so you can then put yourself forward for similar stuff in the future!

What felt most daunting about starting out, and how did you overcome it?

Definitely the money risk! Being made redundant gave me a bit of a cushion, so I could focus on building things. Also, when you need the money urgently for bills, it gives you a kick up the bum! I was searching for other jobs, but really didn’t want to go back to office work without giving the art thing a real try.

I couldn’t have done it without all the amazing people around me who support me. It makes such a difference to have people who really believe in what you do and can help you figure out how to do it.

I also found taking things one step at a time and breaking things down really helped with overwhelm.

I also applied to Access to Work months ago when I still had my old job, and they finally got in touch! They agreed to give me accessibility support for my freelance work including ADHD coaching, which is going to make such a difference.

What has been your biggest challenge so far?

Definitely trying to find clients! It’s really scary putting yourself out there, and I really struggle with overwhelm. It feels like there’s a thousand things to think of at once, and it’s working out how I can do them all and still have time to breathe. I’m doing this because I want to build a life that works for me and nourishes me, and it’s a lot of work to get it to that point.

What has been your proudest moment?

It’s just knowing I can do it. I don’t know if there’s been one singular moment, but just knowing people actually appreciate what I do and think I’m good at it. I’ve had to do a lot of unlearning, because I’ve been told to hide all the things I struggle with – like my dyslexia and my chronic pain. But the more I’m open about that, and how I need to do things differently, the more it speaks to people! I’ve been sharing my experience more, and I think it’s helping others feel more confident sharing theirs. It’s like we can work together to take apart this capitalist, ableist narrative and build something much kinder for ourselves.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned about running a business?

Accept help! My wife is always so keen to support, but it’s always felt like cheating if I let them do my website or write my copy. But I have someone who loves me, supports me, and believes in what I do! She always reminds me she’s just shouting about me and what makes me great – so it comes from this place of authenticity.

As a Disabled person, it’s really hard to accept help because it feels like you need a lot more support than anyone else. But I also know how important community is. The world I want to live in is one where people support each other. So that means accepting the help, too!

What’s next for you and the business? 

I want to do more illustration and design. I love coming at it from a handmade kind of view, and creating things with lots of character and fun.

How can people support you right now?

Buy my art. Commission me. Get me to run a workshop for you. Bring me chocolate.

Who in the Independent Oxford community inspires you?

Eden Fay! She’s amazing. When I first met Eden I was working my old office job, and she asked me how I was managing to do it with all my conditions, and I realised I wasn’t managing.

She was also coming to terms with her neurodivergence and finding a way to survive and still bring in an income, so we bonded a lot over that.

I think she’s so inspiring. She’s made such amazing work and done all these workshops and exhibitions. Her work is so fun and charming and affirming, and it’s so good to have people making work about these experiences.

She’s also so warm and charming and brings me so much joy. She’s an icon, and I love her to bits.

What does being part of the Independent Oxford community mean to you?

It’s connection. It can feel really lonely being a freelancer, so having that community makes a big impact.