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How Illuma Designs found a home at The Business Village
Owner Donna Rigler had seen the flexible 3D dragons that were popular at the time and wanted one for her children. But buying never crossed her mind. “I always think, why pay someone else if I can learn how to do it,” Donna shares. “I’d never had a 3D printer and thought they looked fun. So, I bought one began making the dragons myself.”
Once the printer arrived, the dragons came first. Then the fidget toys followed, and so did the interest. “My daughter would take them into school and play with them,” says Donna. “The other kids started asking if I sold them, and what began as a hobby quickly turned into a growing business. The flexi dragons and fidget toys were in high demand, and they’re still our best sellers today.”
Before Illuma Designs, Donna ran a very different business in Bournemouth. She worked as a nail technician and sold her own brand of products to other technicians. A combination of relocating to Barnsley and the pandemic meant demand disappeared overnight, and there was no client base to rebuild from.
Around the same time, Donna became a carer for her son, who is on the autistic spectrum. With him in school during the day, she found herself looking for something creative to focus on. That’s when she started seeing the flexi dragons everywhere.
Donna doesn’t come from an art or design background. Everything she does has been self-taught, including learning how to use and fix her equipment.
“My first printer broke down a lot,” she says. “I learned how to replace a motherboard, print heads, and almost every other part.”
That learning curve paid off, and Dona now runs four 3D printers plus a UV 3D printer for high-detail work. Alongside printing, she’s learning to design her own models through Fusion 360. Like much of her journey so far, the process relies on trial and error, online courses, and YouTube.
Today, Illuma Designs sells both online and in person, with a strong local focus. Around 60% of sales come from shows and events. Donna regularly attends a market in Halifax and a monthly coffee morning in Darton, where she brings samples to show and sell.
These events give people the chance to see the products, handle them, and ask questions. They’re also where many commission conversations begin.
“I offer personal commissions for 3D printed pictures, epoxy resin pieces, and bespoke memorial items,” Donna explains. “Some include photos, others ashes or hair. The commissions tend to attract an older audience, while the fidget toys and printed designs are more popular with children aged 10 to 14.”
As Donna’s business grew, the house began filling up. Printers, stock, and packaging took over, and her husband wanted the space back. Looking for an office felt like the natural next step.
Donna viewed a couple of options and was close to signing before hesitating.
“I didn’t want to get tied in if there was somewhere else,” she says. “I came across The Business Village, asked for a viewing, and loved it right from the start. Everyone was so friendly and I felt welcome straight away.”
Things moved quickly from there and Donna had the keys for her ground floor unit by late 2024. The space suited her business better and, with no stairs to manage, loading stock for shows became much easier.
“The free parking and 24-7 access are priceless,” Donna says. “Weekend shows mean early starts, but if I forget something, I know I can pop in at 5am on a Sunday.”
The Business Village also fits around family life. Donna loves that her daughter can come to the office and work alongside her. It’s even created opportunities to link parts of the business into her education.
So far, Donna has concentrated on getting settled and setting her space up properly. But she says this next year will be more outward facing with networking events, workshops, and visibility all part of the plan.
Looking ahead, Donna wants to focus on building a business she enjoys. “I’m happy keeping Illuma Designs as a small business,” she says. “I don’t want it to get too big and out of hand to the point that I stop enjoying it. I want a business that sustains a good way of life.”
The flexibility at The Business Village fits perfectly with that approach. If Illuma Designs grows and needs more space, Donna knows the option is there. For now, she’s happy to take things one step at a time. “That’s what I like,” she adds. “I can grow if I’m ready, without having to move on.”
Business Village tenants can receive 15% off online orders at Illuma Designs using code BIC at checkout.
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