Interview with a Scouse Bird - A chat with myself

So I’ve decided to interview myself because frankly, who’s more qualified? I mean, I know all the answers anyway, and I’m proper important. Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about Scouse Bird Shop, being a female-owned Liverpool business, and why you should absolutely shop local and support this mad little independent.

Can you tell us a bit about Scouse Bird Shop and what makes it special as a Liverpool business?

Scouse Bird Shop is totally unique — everything’s designed and made in house, so you won’t find our stuff anywhere else. A lot of it is niche and caters to the local area, but loads of our products have a wider appeal too. It’s great for local pride, for gifts, and for ex-pat Scousers all over the world. It’s a bit of fun — Scouse pride with humour, not just a liver bird sat on your mantelpiece gathering dust!

What inspired you to start a female-owned, independent business here in Liverpool?

Honestly? It was a happy accident. I was blogging away in 2012, minding me own business, when someone suggested I do a diary. So I did — at first with Cards 4 Scousers (RIP!) — and it flew out. That was it then. I got a taste for it. Next came the mugs, the pens, the notebooks… and it just snowballed from there. No master plan, no five-year strategy — just one Scouse woman winging it and somehow turning it into a full-blown Liverpool small business.

How important is it for people to shop local and support Liverpool small businesses?

Dead important. I’ll say it louder for the people at the back: SHOP LOCAL! Every time you buy off one of us, a real person does a little happy dance. Your money helps pay someone’s rent, puts food on their table, and keeps the lights on — not line the gold-plated pockets of some billionaire who probably thinks a barm is a type of yacht.

Trickle-down economics? Don’t make me laugh. The only thing trickling down is the tears of small business owners when everyone’s cash ends up with massive corporations. The billionaires love to tell you it works, but let’s be honest — the only thing trickling is their wealth into offshore bank accounts.

Remember during the pandemic when everyone was dead sound and made a proper effort to support independents? That spirit was amazing — I wish we could bottle it. It’s fizzled out a bit now, but no one’s asking you to be perfect. Sometimes the thing you need is only on Amazon, and that’s fine. But if you can shop locally, your money stays in the local community, helps pay local wages, and keeps small businesses alive.

And let’s be real — I offer free delivery on everything anyway, no Prime membership needed.

What have been some of the challenges — and highlights — of being a Liverpool business owner?

Challenges? Where do I start! There’s the quiet days where you stare at the shop stats wondering if the internet’s broken. The quiet weeks where you wonder if you should retrain as a nail tech or a dog walker. But the bills still need paying, the suppliers still need paying — and most of them are other local small businesses that you want to look after.

And you’ve always got to stay on it. You take your eye off the ball for a second and next thing you know, your sales have drifted and Derek the printer’s playing up again. But the highlights? Ohhh, the people. The community. The regulars who’ve been with me from day one. The ones who stop me in the street for a chat or tag me in their stories showing off their latest mug or planner. That’s what makes it all worth it.

What’s your favourite thing about running an independent business in Liverpool?

Hands down, the people. You don’t get this sense of community anywhere else. I love that I can have that personal touch — people message me, stop me when I’m out, or just support the shop year after year. I wouldn’t swap it for the world.

Are there any local businesses or female-owned brands that inspire you?

Absolutely. I’m loving Nope Hair at the moment. Rosie is smashing it with her shampoo bars — they’re boss — and she’s got that drive and passion that reminds me of when I first started. She’s out there pushing her business like mad, and I love to see it. I’ve taken more of a chilled approach these days (I need me naps), but I admire anyone giving it beans.

Finally — what’s next for Scouse Bird Shop, and how can people support?

Onwards and upwards, as always! I’m investing in new equipment — swapping Derek for Pedro was just the start. I want to be able to offer even more cool, intricate stuff that you can’t get anywhere else.

If you want to support, it’s simple: shop with me. Tell your mates. Share my stuff. Keep me in plants for the garden — I’ve got big dreams for those beds!