Let’s Talk Shop

This is the season finale of Let’s Talk Shop and I talk to the lovely Jo from Firain, a beautifully curated online shop that I really enjoy. Firain is more than just an online shop, Jo writes beautifully, and she also have one of her friends contribute with a recipe each month. Jo and I speak about:

- The challenges of running a small business.

- Her recent pop-up shop.

- How she works with makers and small suppliers, what works for her and how to build a good relationship between a maker and buyer.

- Her new business mentoring service.

- How she encourages all her customers to really consider a purchase before buying something.

Connect with Firain

https://www.firain.com

https://www.instagram.com/firain_shop/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/firain_shop/

https://twitter.com/FIRAIN_SHOP

Links mentioned in this episode

Join https://www.joinstorelondon.co.uk/

Also on episode 7,  https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/podcast/episode/59a03c4e/lets-talk-shop-with-jen-beby-from-join

Antonia from Tinker Tailor https://shop.tinkertailor.online/

Also on episode 1, https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/podcast/episode/1ae60f11/lets-talk-shop-with-antonia-sanchez-toomey-from-tinker-tailor

Catherine Future Retail https://www.futureretail.world/

Different types of sales on my blog https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/post/what-is-wholesale

Lily from The Super Sparrow https://www.thesupersparrow.com/

https://www.firain.com/meetthemakers#/the-super-sparrow

Becca at Ivy Pip and Rose https://www.ivypipandrose.co.uk/

Josephine Brooks https://www.josephinebrooks.co.uk/

Kayte Farris Simple and Season http://www.simpleandseason.com

Haeckles https://haeckels.co.uk/

The Kind store https://www.thekindstoreonline.co.uk/

Clae by Josie Smith https://claejosieswift.com/ Buy Clae it on Firain https://www.firain.com/the-shop?category=NEW%20ARRIVALS 

ONLINE WHOLESALE COURSE BUNDLE

http://bit.ly/wscourse-bundle

Connect with me

Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/

Join my Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkwholesale/

Work with me: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/services

Book a discovery call: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/book-a-discovery-call          

Book a Power-hour: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/power-hour

Apply to be a guest on Let’s Talk Shop https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode, I Talk Shop Alice Mayor from We Built This City, an independent shop in Carnaby street in London. We Built This City was started as a pop-up out of a desire to help artists sell their work and 5 years in, they stock 250 artists and has recently moved into a large corner unit in the opposite end to Liberty In the iconic West End. Alice and I spoke about:

-How it all started and the idea behind WBTC

-The challenges with working with so many artists

-How WBTC curate their ranges

-How an artist/small business can be a good supplier and what’s important to consider

-What sort of margins are needed?

-What’s next for WBTC and much more

Connect with We Built This City

https://www.webuilt-thiscity.com/

https://www.facebook.com/wbtclondon/

https://www.instagram.com/wbtclondon/

Links mentioned in this episode

Ark http://www.arkcambridge.co.uk/

Lush https://uk.lush.com/

Populuxe boutique https://www.populuxehomeboutique.co.uk/

Creature clothes https://www.creatureclothes.com/  Come and see me at Top Drawer, stand K19

Connect with me

Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/

SALES CHALLENGE IN SEPTEMBER, Join my Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkwholesale/

Work with me: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/services

Book a discovery call: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/book-a-discovery-call          

Book a Power-hour: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/power-hour

Apply to be a guest on Let’s Talk Shop https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode, I Talk Shop with Vicky Simmons from Mean Mail. Vicky designs really fun and witty cards and retails them both on her website and through stockists up and down the country. She’s stocked by Papersmith, Liberty, and Conran and I just love how honest and real her cards are. Vicky and I spoke about:

- Challenges of running your own business 

- How Vicky got into Liberty and got started with her wholesale 

- Onboarding new stockists and why you should be the one asking questions

- Copying and how hurtful that is and how to deal with it

- Difference between copying and being inspired by something 

- Importance of networking and being vulnerable and honest

- Weighing up the pros and cons of selling to some stockists and meeting their demands. 

- Why it's ok to say no sometimes

- Sustainability in the card industry 

- Social media 

Connect with Mean Mail

https://www.meanmail.co/

https://www.instagram.com/meanmail/

Links mentioned in this episode

PR Dispatch https://prdispatch.com/

Future Retail https://www.futureretail.world/

Autumn Fair https://www.autumnfair.com/

Top Drawer https://www.topdrawer.co.uk/

Liberty https://www.libertylondon.com

Conran https://www.conranshop.co.uk/

Papersmiths https://www.papersmiths.co.uk/

Paperchase https://www.paperchase.com

Sainsbury’s https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/

John Lewis https://www.johnlewis.com/

Windles printers https://www.windles.co.uk/

UAL https://www.arts.ac.uk/

Story in New York https://www.macys.com/social/story/

Opening ceremony https://www.openingceremony.com/

Imogen Owen https://imogenowen.com/

Earl of East https://www.earlofeast.com

Coal drops yard https://www.coaldropsyard.com

Pocket Cast https://www.pocketcasts.com/

Creature clothes https://www.creatureclothes.com/  Come and see me at Top Drawer, stand K19

Connect with me

Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/

SALES CHALLENGE IN SEPTEMBER, Join my Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkwholesale/

Work with me: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/services

Book a discovery call: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/book-a-discovery-call          

Book a Power-hour: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/power-hour

Apply to be a guest on Let’s Talk Shop https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode, I talk shop with Sidonie Warren, one of the founders of Papersmiths. Papersmiths is a small chain of stationery stores with a highly curated and beautiful range. Sidonie and Kyle started Papersmiths with just £500 and now has 5 stores in Brighton, Bristol and London. During our chat we spoke about:

- The Papersmith Story and how it all began 

- The challenges of growing an independent retail business 

- What’s next for Papersmiths 

- How Sidonie finds new products 

- The best way to get in touch and submit your products to Papersmiths 

- Trade shows 

- What will be hot for this autumn and much more 

Connect with Papersmiths

https://www.papersmiths.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/shoppapersmiths

https://www.instagram.com/paper_smiths/

https://twitter.com/paper_smiths

Links mentioned in this episode

Cass Art https://www.cassart.co.uk/

Hello Day https://www.hellodayplanner.com/

Small business Sunday https://www.theopaphitissbs.com/

Department of international trade https://www.great.gov.uk/

National Stationery Show in New York https://www.nationalstationeryshow.com/

NY Now https://www.nynow.com

Maison Object https://www.maison-objet.com/en

Podcast episode 2 with Henri Davis

Life Rocks https://healinginyourhands.co.uk

The Completist https://the-completist.com

Cubitts https://www.cubitts.com/

Glossier https://www.glossier.com

Ponder Lilly https://ponderlily.com/

Mind Journal https://www.mindjournals.com/

Connect with me

Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkwholesale/

Work with me: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/services

Book a discovery call: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/book-a-discovery-call          

Book a Power-hour: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/power-hour

Apply to be a guest on Let’s Talk Shop https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode, I talk shop with Megan Jones, founder of Curated Makers. Curated Makers organise pop-ups in national retailers to champion Northern makers on the high street. Bringing small businesses and maker that are local to the city into high street stores and disrupting how we normally shop.

Megan is so passionate about helping all the talented small business owners out there and we spoke all about:

- How Curated Makers started

- The challenges of starting Curated Makers and dealing with large retailers in a new way

- How Megan curates each pop-up and how to apply to take part

- The importance of being ready for retail

- Your Instagram feed is your shop window

- Creatival and what that is and how Megan got involved

Connect with Curated Makers

https://curatedmakers.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/curatedmakers/

https://www.facebook.com/CuratedMakers/

https://twitter.com/CuratedMakers

https://www.instagram.com/creativaluk/

Get your tickets to Creatival https://www.thecreativebusinessnetwork.com/creatival2019.html

Links mentioned in this episode

Myro doodles https://www.instagram.com/myrodoodles/

She Can She Did https://shecanshedid.com/

YouTube video with Megan at the Paperchase Pop-up https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=acuqSdJkUZs&app=desktop

YouTube video by https://www.instagram.com/sillyloaf/

Lush https://uk.lush.com/

Small and Mighty https://smallandmighty.co/

Small and Mighty Conversations https://smallandmighty.co/s4-e9/

Girls with Pens https://www.instagram.com/girls.with.pens/

Tinker Tailor episode one https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/podcast/episode/1ae60f11/lets-talk-shop-with-antonia-sanchez-toomey-from-tinker-tailor

Tinker Tailor http://tinkertailor.online

Bestsellers from Bents Candles https://www.instagram.com/majapiechockacandles/

Selfridges https://www.selfridges.com

Liberty’s https://www.libertylondon.com

Bents Garden Centre https://www.bents.co.uk/

Paperchase  https://www.paperchase.com

Catherine Erdly from Future Retail https://www.futureretail.world/

Connect with me

Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkwholesale/

Work with me: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/services

Book a discovery call: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/book-a-discovery-call          

Book a Power-hour: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/power-hour

Apply to be a guest on Let’s Talk Shop https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode I Talk Shop with Jen Beby, founder of Join, a sustainable home fragrance company that I came across whilst working in South East London at Thames Side Studios. I really admire how Jen is building a conscious, ethical and sustainable brand first. In this episode we chat about:

- How and why Join came to be

- What it means to be a sustainable brand and what challenges come with it

- How Jen got started selling to shops and her top tips for selling wholesale

- How Jen builds long lasting relationships with her stockists

- What the future holds for Join

- And of course, our dogs and much more…

Connect with Join

https://www.joinstorelondon.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/joinhandcrafted/

https://www.facebook.com/joinhandcrafted

Links mentioned in this episode

Thames side studios https://www.thames-sidestudios.co.uk/

Borough 22 https://www.borough22.com/

Firain https://www.firain.com/

Tinker Tailor https://shop.tinkertailor.online/

Kettles Yard https://www.kettlesyard.co.uk/

Designers Guild https://www.designersguild.com/

Planet Organic https://www.planetorganic.com/

Form SE15 https://www.formse15.com/

As nature intended https://www.asnatureintended.uk.com/

Chalk and Moss https://www.chalkandmoss.com/

The Organic Company https://theorganiccompany.dk

Connect with me

Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkwholesale/

Work with me: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/services

Book a discovery call: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/book-a-discovery-call          

Book a Power-hour: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/power-hour

Apply to be a guest on Let’s Talk Shop https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode I Talk Shop with Catherine Erdly from Future Retail, Catherine is a business strategist who help business owners get more organised, feel more confident and make more money. Me and Catherine are both co-editors over on the Small and Mighty Co blog and we work together with some joint clients helping them grow their businesses. In this episode Catherine and I talk about:

- How to create a product plan

- Why you need one

- How often you should review your range

- When to develop new products and replace bestsellers

- What to consider when making your product plan

Connect with Catherine

https://www.futureretail.world

https://www.facebook.com/FutureRetailUK

https://www.facebook.com/groups/femalefoundersinretail/

https://twitter.com/FutureRetailUK

https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherineerdly/

https://www.instagram.com/FutureRetailUK/

Links mentioned in this episode

https://www.aerende.co.uk/

https://uk.lush.com/

https://smallandmighty.co/

https://prdispatch.com/

Connect with me

Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkwholesale/

Work with me: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/services

Book a discovery call: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/book-a-discovery-call          

Book a Power-hour: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/power-hour

Apply to be a guest on Let’s Talk Shop https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode, I talk shop with Molly Park who is the head of design of home and gifts at Oliver Bonas who now have over 70 stores across the UK. I love how Oliver Bonas has grown from just one independent store to a chain of stores that still manages to retain that same quirkiness and fun that the first store had back in 1993. In this episode Molly and I talk about:

- The creative process at Oliver Bonas.

- What’s the most important in developing great products.

- How the buying team works with its suppliers to develop new products and new techniques.

- The changing high street.

Connect with Oliver Bonas

https://www.oliverbonas.com/

https://www.facebook.com/oliverbonas

https://twitter.com/oliverbonas

https://www.instagram.com/oliverbonas/

Links mentioned in this episode

https://maisoncurate.com/

https://uk.flyingtiger.com/

https://smallandmighty.co/

Trend Guide

Use code: THERESE for a 15% discount (please note that this is an affiliate code so if you do use it and receive a discount, I will receive a small fee too).

The full trend guide is £75 https://www.arnoldandbird.com/product/2020-trend-ebook/

The individual guides are £35 https://www.arnoldandbird.com/product-category/trend-guides/

Joanne Griffin https://www.instagram.com/arnoldandbird/

Elizabeth Stiles https://www.instagram.com/elizabethstilesuk/

Connect with me

Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkwholesale/

Work with me: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/services

Book a discovery call: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/book-a-discovery-call          

Book a Power-hour: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/power-hour

In this episode I talk shop with Beth Austin owner and buyer of Vinegar Hill, a chain of 11 independent gift, fashion and lifestyle stores. Vinegar Hill is a real family affair with Beth, her sister, her brother and sister in law all working in the business. I love how passionate Beth is about the industry and how all the Vinegar Hill stores have their own personality.

What Beth and I spoke about in this episode:

- How Vinegar Hill Started and where the name Vinegar Hill came from

- Their recent rebrand

- Sustainability, plastic and buying more consciously

- How Vinegar Hill finds new products

- Window displays and visual merchandisers

- What a multistore retailer needs from their suppliers

- Building a long-standing relationship with suppliers

- How Vinegar Hill combats the challenge of having different products in their store.

- What Beth is looking for this autumn

Connect with Beth and Vinegar Hill

https://vinegarhill.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/vinegarhill/

https://www.facebook.com/vinegarhilluk/

[email protected]

Links mentioned in this episode

https://beebeewraps.com/

https://www.lovesayandmo.co.uk/

https://www.waitrose.com/

https://www.boots.com/

Connect with me

Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkwholesale/

Work with me: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/services

Book a discovery call: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/book-a-discovery-call          

Book a Power-hour: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/power-hour

This episode I chat with Kelly Jennings, owner of Bookish and Bakewell, a gift company who make great gifts for all the book lovers out there. I loved chatting with Kelly, there were lots of laughs and I had so much fun. Kelly started wholesaling her range of pins, stickers and more last year and we chatted about:

- Building a business and the flexibility it gives you and the challenges it comes with.

- How shop owners and brand owners are very similar, both are often one person businesses trying to do everything.

- How Kelly plans new product launches and how she wishes to get more organised with her product plan to grow her business.

- Using social media to connect with potential stockists and much more.

Connect with Kelly

Website: https://www.bookishandbakewell.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookishandbakewell

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BookishBakewell

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookishandBakewell

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ImBookishandBakewell

Links mentioned in this episode

Shopshoal: https://shopshoal.com/

Pintheft: https://pintheft.com

Handmade Nottingham: http://www.handmadenottingham.com/

Punnyduke Matlock: https://www.facebook.com/punnydukes/

Katie Abey Design: https://www.instagram.com/katieabey/

Indie Roller (Leona): https://indieroller.com

In Colourful Company: https://www.incolourfulcompany.com/

Bookshop in Homefirth: https://to-be-read.co.uk/

Curated Makers: https://www.curatedmakers.co.uk/

Future Retail: https://www.futureretail.world/

Connect with me

Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkwholesale/

Work with me: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/services

Book a discovery call: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/book-a-discovery-call          

Book a Power-hour: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/power-hour