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My Block

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My Block celebrates and showcases independent businesses and culture and is supported by Innovate UK.

Multi-disciplinary designer Karishma Kusurkar and Blick’s CEO Christine James led the pilot project and were inspired by Independent Liverpool, The Shopkeepers and On The Grid. The team wanted to put together something that was accessible, design-led and showcased a wide range of independent businesses.

“Over the past few years our work has centred around supporting and platforming creative businesses be it through events, commissions, podcasts, publications or projects. The idea for My Block came about at the start of lockdown. We could see the world changing in real-time due to the pandemic and also in turn how that was starting to affect businesses.  Some business owners were forced to shut shop, others to pivot to new areas of business and some moved trade online for the first time.

We also noticed the increased support for local businesses with the general public becoming much more aware of what was in their neighbourhood or “block.” We wanted to start something to support independent businesses in the short-term but that would continue to have a lasting impact and that’s how we came up with the initial idea for My Block – a curated online platform championing NI’s independent business and culture.”

My Block is a place for people to discover great new local independent businesses, find things to do locally and to make the most of the rich and diverse indie landscape we have here! It created a place to find all different kinds of businesses on one platform and to find out more about the people running them.

My Block went live at the end of June and has been running successfully ever since, with Karishma taking the lead in the next stage. It has grown to include over 100 Belfast businesses on the platform with more being added from the rest of NI in the coming months.

If you’re an independent business, we’d love to add you to the directory and if you have a local business recommendation we’d love to hear from you.

Learn more at www.whatsonmyblock.com

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If you are interested in workspace, virtual services, room hire or coming to any of our events or any general enquiries get in touch.

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    This week we had a quick catchup with our newest Cotton Court resident creative freelancer @emanuela_mae_agrini_art who told us a bit about herself ...

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    Jun 15

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    This week we had a quick catchup with our newest Cotton Court resident creative freelancer @emanuela_mae_agrini_art who told us a bit about herself and her creative work Tell us a bit about yourself and your business? Hey there! I am originally from Genoa, a seaside city in Northern Italy; my business was born there about ten years ago and bounced around a bit before moving to Belfast. My idea has always been to offer written communication for companies and individuals, but over time my core is moving more and more in the direction of a mix between visual and written communication. Although I still deal most of the time with content writing and copywriting (both in Italian and in English), I am developing some projects that can combine visuals and words, in the context of graphic facilitation, graphic recording and illustrated content. What was the biggest hurdle for you starting out and how did you overcome it? When I started as a freelancer ten years ago, the main obstacle was to convince companies and clients that remote work is still work: the mentality was very different from today and there was a lot to work to do on it. I always supported remote work and for long periods I have been traveling while working between the countries. Today luckily things seem to have changed. How do you stay creative/inspired? I pass pretty much all my free time reading books, drawing, and painting and when possible, I travel to see new places and meet new people. I love also to be around the city the more I can to listen to the stories of random people I meet. When I want to recharge, I go to the sea, which is my happy place. What’s your top tip/piece of advice for anyone wanting to work for themselves/ start their own creative business? Just make sure you are into it with all your energies and passion, and love every moment of it 🙂 You can read the full interview on our website (link in profile)

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    Don't forget to take a break for the long weekend. It can be hard when you're self employed to justify taking time off to relax and rest and...

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    Jun 1

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    Don't forget to take a break for the long weekend. It can be hard when you're self employed to justify taking time off to relax and rest and not feel guilty about it and for many if you arent working you arent earning. But there is always more that could be done so take as much of a break as possible and enjoy the peace of these extra couple of days when people don't expect you to be answering emails or phone calls #worklifebalance #bankholiday #longweekend #balance #rest #relax #smallbusinessbelfast #selfemployed #freelance #smallbusinessowner

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    Since the pandemic we have been very busy with new residents and behind the scenes work in the studios, but are planning to start picking things up ...

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    May 25

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    Since the pandemic we have been very busy with new residents and behind the scenes work in the studios, but are planning to start picking things up again with more for the wider creative business community in Northern Ireland in coming months. So we thought it would be a good time to re-introduce the people involved with Blick. Who we are and more importantly why we do it, starting with Blick founder Christine. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? How has your work at Blick compared to what you imagined you would end up doing? I'm Christine. I studied fashion and textiles at Belfast School of Art and worked briefly as a textile designer for fashion in Italy before returning to NI to start my own creative business. I was one of the founders of Blick way back in 2007 with a group of other creatives all struggling to find suitable workspace in Belfast, somewhere affordable and flexible alongside other like minded creatives. I will talk more about that journey and the story of Blick in future posts. I currently run Blick with my sister Rosy who does all our finance and operations with support from our board of Trustees as Blick is also a registered charity. I always wanted to work in fashion for as long as I can remember, so working at Blick is very different to what I imagined in one way, but I also always dreamed of working for myself. I just didn't think it was even possible. Not knowing any business owners and going to a very traditional grammar school starting a business just didn't seem feasible to me when growing up. So I ended up pursuing a career in fashion, but the reality of having to work in a big city, sitting at a desk all day, alongside the financial challenges of working within the industry led me to make the decision to return to NI to start my own fashion business. I struggled working alone at home and then met a group of creatives on a creative business course at Ulster University and we all realised just how important being with other like minded creatives on a similar path was and we came up with the idea for Blick. I ended up then taking over running Blick myself Link in bio to our blog with the rest

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    Hill streets lovely breakout areas, where you can sit and have some lunch or a coffee away from your desk

    #hillstreetbelfast #sharedstudios ...

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    Mar 31

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    Hill streets lovely breakout areas, where you can sit and have some lunch or a coffee away from your desk #hillstreetbelfast #sharedstudios #coworkingspace #blicksharedstudios #cathedralquarterbelfast

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    Congratulations to our resident Dani McFerran, founder of award winning Graphic Design studio @doneanddusteddesign, as she was recently celebrated for...

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    Mar 28

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    Congratulations to our resident Dani McFerran, founder of award winning Graphic Design studio @doneanddusteddesign, as she was recently celebrated for her contribution to entrepreneurship at the House of Lords to mark International Women's Day! Read all about the F:Entrepreneur event, and Dani's amazing businesses on our blog - link in bio. #residentnews #residentpromotion #blickresidents #blicksharedstudios

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    Our lovely main room in our Malone studios is available for hire and we now have a special reduced rates for anyone wanting to make an ongoing ...

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    Mar 24

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    Our lovely main room in our Malone studios is available for hire and we now have a special reduced rates for anyone wanting to make an ongoing longterm booking of 8 weeks or more, we currently still have availability for Thursday and Friday evenings and Sundays. Prices and details are on our website (link in bio) or email christine@blickstudios.org for more info #roomhire #maloneroadbelfast #belfast #eventspace #blicksharedstudios

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    Our Malone Road studios illustrated by resident and team member @jenny_eva_design 🌿

    Offering private and shared studio space, 51 Malone ...

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    Mar 21

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    Our Malone Road studios illustrated by resident and team member @jenny_eva_design 🌿 Offering private and shared studio space, 51 Malone Road is a beautiful space full of character and natural sunlight, perfect for finding some Monday motivation! Find more of Jenny's work at jennyevadesign.com ✨ #blicksharedstudios #blickresidents #belfastcreatives #belfast #maloneroadbelfast #illustration #studio #coworkingspace

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    A warm welcome to Holly @holly.e.m who has recently joined Blick as a resident in Cotton Court.

    Holly is a theatre graduate and has recently ...

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    Mar 10

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    A warm welcome to Holly @holly.e.m who has recently joined Blick as a resident in Cotton Court. Holly is a theatre graduate and has recently moved to Belfast, working as the marketing and growth lead for a production company called Tell based in York! Check out @tellyork and our interview with Holly on our Blog >> link in bio ✨ #meettheresident #blicksharedstudios #coworkingspace #studio #remoteoffice #dedicateddesk #cottoncourt #belfastcreatives

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    Our second studio space in the Cathedral Quarter; Cotton Court, illustrated by resident and team member @jenny_eva_design ✨

    Find it on ...

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    Mar 7

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    Our second studio space in the Cathedral Quarter; Cotton Court, illustrated by resident and team member @jenny_eva_design ✨ Find it on waring Street opposite the Merchant Hotel. This space provides dedicated desks and private offices for creative businesses, and is the perfect city centre base to meet clients! Find more of Jenny's work at jennyevadesign.com 👀 #belfastcreatives #supportlocalartists #blickresidents #blicksharedstudios #illustration #hillstreetbelfast #belfastcathedralquarter

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    What a gorgeous weekend. Hope everyone got to enjoy the good weather.
    Did you know that as well as providing physical workspace for creatives we ...

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    Mar 6

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    What a gorgeous weekend. Hope everyone got to enjoy the good weather. Did you know that as well as providing physical workspace for creatives we also provide virtual office space for only £20 a month. A city centre address creates a confident and professional first impression and separates your business and home life. You can choose between our South Belfast address at 51 Malone Road, BT9 6RY or our Cathedral Quarter address 46 Hill Street, BT1 2LB For more info visit our website (link in profile) or get in touch

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    Hill St soaking up all the sunlight today ☀️

    Our shared studio space on the top floor of this lovely building is the perfect base for a ...

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    Feb 21

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    Hill St soaking up all the sunlight today ☀️ Our shared studio space on the top floor of this lovely building is the perfect base for a growing creative business, with great coffee around the corner, break out spaces to catch up with clients and a friendly organising team on hand to help! Find out about our other studio spaces on our website > link in bio 🌿 #blicksharedstudios #belfaststudiospace #coworkingspace #sharedstudios #dedicateddesk #networking #belfastcitycentre #belfastcreatives #inspiration

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    Our lovely Hill Street studios by resident and team member @jenny_eva_design✨

    Check out more of her work at jennyevadesign.com!

    ...

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    Feb 10

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    Our lovely Hill Street studios by resident and team member @jenny_eva_design✨ Check out more of her work at jennyevadesign.com! #belfastcreatives #supportlocalartists #blickresidents #blicksharedstudios #illustration #hillstreetbelfast #belfastcathedralquarter

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    Beautiful sun filled views from our Hill St. studios this morning ☀️

    #blicksharedstudios #belfastcathedralquarter #studiospace ...

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    Jan 24

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    Beautiful sun filled views from our Hill St. studios this morning ☀️ #blicksharedstudios #belfastcathedralquarter #studiospace #inspiration #sunlight #workspace #workspacegoals

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    We got the chance to chat with Documentary fillmmaker Gillian Callan, one of our newest residents at Cotton Court. Gillian shared her top tips as a ...

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    Jan 20

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    We got the chance to chat with Documentary fillmmaker Gillian Callan, one of our newest residents at Cotton Court. Gillian shared her top tips as a freelancer, who inspires her (Whitney Houston!) and how she overcame any hurdles starting out. Have a read on the blog 👉 link in bio! #meettheresident #blicksharedstudios #studiospace #belfastcreatives