Behind The Scenes - July 2021
Are you ready for another peek behind the curtain of my business? I’m going to pick up where I last left off last month. With an update about my new brand, We Are Mimosa.
But before I do, I’d love to know if your head has been spinning like mine from the ever-changing travel guidelines? Are you planning a staycation or are you determined to travel further afield? Do let me know in the comments box below.
After cancelling so many trips last year, I decided to embrace the staycation and take short breaks closer to home. Earlier this month, I travelled across to Hampshire for a photography course with Sally Golden who I met through one of my business networking groups. I stayed at the quirky PIG-in the Wall in Southampton city centre. If you’re looking for a cosy stay with plenty of character, I highly recommend the delicious food, drinks and comfy beds you’ll find at any one of the Pig hotels.
Related Post: What Makes THE PIG Hotels An Unparalled Brand Success?
An Update On My New Brand
Last month, I gave you a peek at the first mood board for We Are Mimosa. I had goose bumps when Michaela (from Hnstly) sent it to me and was both excited and nervous to see the creative direction for the first time. I could not have been more delighted when I saw the draft Brand Style Guide Michaela had prepared for We Are Mimosa earlier in the month. It perfectly captured the mood I want to create – a sense of strength and possibility without being either overly serious or showy. My hope is it will resonate perfectly with other independent spirited female businesswomen building businesses they love.
The next stage in the journey is to arrange a photographic shoot to bring the website for We Are Mimosa to life. If you’ve ever commissioned a shoot, you’ll know that a lot of preparation goes into it behind the scenes. From the choice of photographer and locations to setting the priorities for the shoot and deciding on the stories I want to tell. This is what I’ll be working on over the coming weeks, and of course I’ll keep you updated on developments as I get ready to launch We Are Mimosa.
Meanwhile this website has undergone a transformation. I made the decision to move it from Squarespace 7.0 to Squarespace 7.1 earlier in the year. This was not a decision I undertook lightly. Currently there’s no migration path between the two versions. Because I have a large blog, I had to think carefully before making the switch.
Related Post: The Secrets Of A Strong Brand
This Month’s Client Success Story
July marks one year since I started working with Emma, a London based candle maker who was recommended to me by a mutual friend. It’s been an rollercoaster year as Emma prepares to move production from her kitchen to a small industrial unit.
By way of brief background, Emma started her artisan candle-making business from her kitchen table after being made redundant from her role at a PR firm. She started making artisan candles out of boredom during the first lockdown, and this started her love affair with craftsmanship.
Aged 27 and unemployed, she decided to stop beating herself up about her situation and embraced the opportunity to transform her circumstances. Understanding which fragrances worked took some trial and error. But when friends and family asked her to make candles for them, she started to wonder if perhaps she had the makings of a business.
This was where I came in. Emma was recommended to me, and we started to work together on her business plan, brand strategy and digital and PR strategy. Homemade candles have become an essential home decor item and the global market is substantial. There are also opportunities to diversify into diffusers, lotions, soaps and other fragranced products.
Emma was able to achieve exceptional results because of her background in marketing and PR. You can read more about our work together in my portfolio. I’ve also written a business guide to accompany the case study which you’ll find here. This explains how to start a candle making business from scratch. The advice is applicable to other craft-based businesses.
Related Post: How To Start A Candle Making Business From Scratch
In July, I ...
Wrote ... articles about whether the high street can get its groove back and what does winning really mean in addition to my business guide on how to start a candle making business from scratch.
Read … Rebuild the new book by retail expert, Mary Portas, about the post-pandemic value system which will place people, planet and purpose alongside profitability. Mary is also a guest on the High Performance podcast.
Listened to … Mel Marshall discuss coaching on the High Performance podcast. I’m always keen to develop my coaching skills and who better to listen to than a former British swimmer who won gold medals at past Olympic Games and was awarded ‘Coach of the Year’ for her work with Adam Peaty? (Who has just won gold at Tokyo 2020).
Watched ... The Parisian Agency on Netflix about the Kretz family who run Kretz and Partners, a luxury real estate agency that deals in some of the most stunning properties that France has to offer. What better way to brush up on my French?!
Visited ... the summer Petworth Festival. I was delighted to get to watch the celebration of Paul Simon’s music, including a reworking of his iconic album, Graceland. I cannot wait for their literary festival which will take place in the autumn.
Made … Salmorejo, a traditional cold tomato soup from Andalusia and Vietnamese Iced Coffee, delicious treats which transported me to foreign climes during the heatwave.
In August, I’m looking forward to …
Sharing marketing ideas and inspiration for October 2021. You’ll find ideas and inspiration for August and September here and here.
Working on the website for We Are Mimosa and getting ready to launch it.
Planning a series of events for The Brilliant Breakfast, an initiative by The Princes Trust Women Supporting Women to raise money for young women in the UK who need our support, helping them to wake up to a more positive future.
Taking beach walks along the Witterings, a stunning stretch of Sussex coast line, punctuated with the pretty villages of East and West Wittering where I’ll be staying for a few days. I’ve decided to treat myself to this Beaumonde hamper for beachfront picnics.
Reading Mrs England, a feminist mystery set in West Yorkshire about nanny Ruby May who is sent to look after the four children of an Edwardian mill owner and his wife.
Continuing the Edwardian theme, visiting the Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution exhibition which investigates the jewellery house's triumphs in Edwardian high society in Britain, where it opened its first and only shop outside of Russia in 1903.
Final Thoughts
Wherever you are holidaying this summer – be it a far-flung destination or a deckchair in the garden – I wish you the happiest of months. We all deserve it after another summer juggling business and home life. I hope the articles on this website provide some inspiration and encouragement.
Keep an eye out for my business update for August 2021, a summary of key developments as they relate to small and medium sized businesses, which will be published on Thursday. Meanwhile I’d love to know how was July for you? What are your plans for August? Let me know in the comments below! And come back next month for another peek behind the curtain of my business.
If you’re looking for someone who can help you take your business to the next level, look no further - you can check out my services below. I would love to chat with you about how we can work together and bring your vision to life!