Every small business has a story, and for Under the Rowan Trees, it’s rooted (quite literally!) in growth, creativity, and a little bit of garden magic.
When I first started this adventure, orders were lovingly packed at my dining room table. Surrounded by pens, notebooks, and washi tape, it was clear that my love for stationery had blossomed into something much bigger than just a hobby. It was bursting at the seams - both in spirit and in physical space!
It quickly became obvious that Under the Rowan Trees needed a real home, somewhere dedicated and inspiring. Somewhere, I wouldn’t be able to hear my husband complain as he fell over another box! That’s when the idea of the Rowan Room was born.
The Rowan Room isn’t a spare room or a rented space - it is purpose-built from scratch, right in the back garden. I wanted a place that wasn’t just practical for packing and storing all your beautiful stationery orders, but a space that could truly embody the creative heart of Under the Rowan Trees.
The space before!
Walls were raised, floors were laid, and slowly but surely, my vision took shape. There’s something extra special about building something from the ground up; watching it take form day by day was both exciting and emotional.
Of course, no good story is without a few twists! Midway through construction, the snow arrived. Patience (and lots of tea!) got us through, and soon enough, the work resumed. Walls were finished, shelves were built, and slowly the Rowan Room became a reality.
Then, just as we were approaching the finish line, the country went into lockdown! I had a beautiful shed with no power! Luckily, an electrician was able to come and connect everything as we hid in the house in the dark.
Today, the Rowan Room is piled high with stock: boxes of washi tape, shelves of notebooks, pens ready to find new homes. It’s where subscription boxes are packed, orders are fulfilled, and new creative ideas are born.
Around subscription dispatch time, things get a little… cosy (hello, creative chaos!) but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every box, every order, every parcel of stationery joy starts here, in a space built with love, hard work, and a deep-rooted passion for what we do.
The Rowan Room is more than just an office. It’s a symbol of growth, community, and creativity. It’s where Under the Rowan Trees grew from a small Etsy shop to a vibrant independent stationery brand, serving fellow stationery addicts around the world.
It reminds me daily that with a dream, a plan, and a little perseverance (even through the snow!), you can create something truly magical.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you've been here since the dining room days or you’re new to the Rowan Room family, you’re part of what makes this place so special.
Congratulations on 5 years trading. I love your boxes, stationery and everything about you all. Thank you for being you (all of you!)
Lovely to hear a little about your journey and experience of building your business 🤍