In this episode we hear from Mariella Tandy, founder of fine jewellery brand, Alemdara as well as executive retail editor of Country & Townhouse magazine. 

Alemdara was founded in 2015, inspired by a bracelet given to her by her Turkish mother-in-law who insisted she needed to wear it during her first pregnancy. Today she shares her advice on how she always knew she would be a founder, why failing is good and why your gut feeling is key at all times.

Mariella’s advice:

• You can always change things about your business
• Don’t be afraid to launch your brand and adapt it as you progress and gain more exposure, it doesn’t have to be perfect, just get going 
• Always ask questions, people are happy to give advice  
• Outsource if you don't know something to ensure work is done to a high standard
• Be comfortable with trying things out; not everything is going to work out, but you have to be at peace with that
• Be up for failing. It is always better to have tried something and for it to fail than to not try at all; there is no shame in failure and you will always learn from it
• Try and block out external critics and focus on moving forward with your vision 
• Be sure of your product and keep assessing the market
• Use an email marketing strategy to keep in touch with your customers
• Trust your gut feeling 

If you’d like to contact Mariella, you can reach her on [email protected]

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.
Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. Recorded & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.

FF&M recommends: 

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence

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