Welcome to Indie Oxford Stories, our series celebrating the incredible people behind Oxford’s independent businesses. These are the makers, bakers, creatives, and community builders who bring so much heart to the city. Each story offers a personal story about what inspired them to start, what keeps them going, and how you can support the local businesses that matter so much to life in Oxford.
You can explore more features in the full Indie Oxford Stories collection, browse our Directory of Independent Businesses, or find your nearest indie on our interactive Map.
How would you describe your business in a sentence?
What first inspired you to start your business – was there a lightbulb moment?
We live in an Edwardian, terraced house (that felt huge when it was just me and my husband, but by 2021 it felt somewhat ‘fuller’ with a family onboard)! I was constantly changing various areas around our house… usually to find better storage solutions, or improve the flow and function of rooms, as well as styling and ‘prettying-up’ as I go – in order to make our home both visually pleasing as well as a happy and calm place to be (well, as calm as it can be with two little ones charging about)! Our house isn’t perfect, and it’s certainly not a show home (or minimalist), but it is stylish, homely, everything has its place, and most importantly, I love it!
I started Rebecca’s Home Sort in November 2021… it was something I was passionate about, and good at (even if I say so myself)! I’ve always been into interiors & styling, and I’m a total neat freak and extremely organised. I spent a lot of my time in 2019 – 2021 improving and changing things within our own home to accommodate our growing family (storage solutions, kids bedrooms, kitchen cupboards, zoning, room layouts, etc etc) and I just thought to myself… I would LOVE to do this for a living, and help improve other people’s home life and joy! So, I did!
How did you actually get started?
My background was marketing (and so was my husbands), so between us we did everything… the name, branding, logo, photography social media accounts and a website etc.
What felt most daunting about starting out, and how did you overcome it?
Actually going live with the website felt huge, like “OMG this is real now” and as such I played around and procrastinated A LOT (as I’m a recovering perfectionist)!
but eventually I launched the site on 21.11.21 (as I liked this date)! And off I went!
Started mainly with local clients via word of mouth and local Facebook group posts etc but over the years it has built more and more momentum. Part of me wishes I’d done it sooner, but I like to think that everything happens for a reason!
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
What has been your proudest moment?
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about running a business?
In my previous life (pre-kids and in my corporate role) I was an absolute machine! A perfectionist, a people pleaser, always going the extra mile, working late, delivering, exceeding and just generally ‘getting s**t done’! But running your own business is hard (especially if you are also juggling kids, family life and managing your home etc). At the start I felt really quite stressed and was dropping balls and beating myself up about my never ending to do list. But these days I just focus on the absolute business critical things, and ignore the rest. I still have things on my to do list that have been there since I started out 4 years ago… but they don’t keep me awake at night… anymore!
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting out, what would it be?
Just start. you don’t have to have it all figured out first, and things definitely don’t need to be perfect (as you can adapt, change and refine things as you go along)!
What’s next for you and the business?
How can people support you right now?
Supporting small local businesses and each other is so important. I guess I would say please do take a little look at my website (rebeccashomesort.com) and follow my instagram (@rebeccashomesort) to get to know me & my business a bit better – and then do recommend me to any friends or family who may be interested in my help and services? I find that with a personal service like mine – WOM, testimonials and recommendations are the most impactful business drivers.
What is your favourite thing about running a business in Oxfordshire?
Who in the Independent Oxford community inspires you?
What does being part of the Independent Oxford community mean to you?
I love meeting & mixing with fellow local small businesses. It’s always really valuable to connect, share, learn, support & grow with others. I’m a new member but already feel part of something special, and everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I look forward to getting to know people better over the coming year.
Fun fact about you that people might not know?
Rebecca (the yellow engine) in Thomas & Friends is actually named after me!
Tea or coffee?Coffee ☕️
Early bird or night owl?Early Bird 🐥
Book or film? Book 📖
