Let’s Talk Shop

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Vanessa Belleau from High Fifteen. Vanessa is Business Strategist, Executive Coach and she also coaches in Inclusion and Diversity. I invited Vanessa to the podcast to discuss how we as small business owners can be more diverse and inclusive in our businesses and ask all those questions that I’ve been wondering about lately.

I really love Vanessa’s energy and positivity and I felt so inspired after our chat and I hope you do too. I think it’s very important to recognise that we all have a role to play and we can all make a difference. As Vanessa said, as small business owners we are visionaries, we already started and built something so let’s continue and do even more.

Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.

Connect with Vanessa

Website: https://www.highfifteen.com/

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

If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.

Connect with me

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

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

Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop

https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Lucy who owns Acorn and Pip. We talk about how valuable it was for Lucy to start her business at Altrincham Market and how it’s grown into the shop and café with a play area it is today.

Lucy really tries to offer as a diverse range that she can, and I came across her lovely business after it was recommended to me by Chantelle from The Wild and the Tame (link below). We were talking about the lack of diversity in children’s toys, in-particular when it comes to dolls and Chantelle mentioned Acorn and Pip and I reached out and invited Lucy onto the podcast.

We chat all about Covid19, what’s been selling well during the lockdown, what’s happening in retail this year and how Lucy source her range of products.

It was really lovely to chat and I hope that more independent shops will actively source more diverse going forward.

Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.

Links mentioned in this episode:

The Wild and the Tame: https://thewildandthetame.co.uk/

Kitpas: https://www.instagram.com/kitpas.europe

Maileg: https://www.maileg.co.uk/

Miniland: https://www.minilandgroup.com/en/educational/dolls-figures/

Connect with Lucy

Website: https://acornandpip.com/

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

If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.

Connect with me

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

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

Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop

https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Ebi and Emmanuel from Our Lovely Goods. Ebi and Emmanuel are a wife and husband team and they started their business around a year ago. Our lovely goods is a wellbeing company selling natural candles and skincare products as well as imported homewares from Emmanuel’s home country, Nigeria.

On the podcast, we talk about how they have built their business, what challenges they have faced along the way, how they started to wholesale and how the business has been during Covid19. We also talk about diversity in our industry, the challenges of being a black-owned business and how we hope the industry will become more diverse now that it’s on everyone’s mind.

I would love to hear your thoughts on what you think will happen when shops open up again? What will get you to visit a store in real life? And/or if you plan to continue shopping online more this year?

Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Space at 17: https://www.instagram.com/spaceatseventeen/?hl=en

Meraki Concept Studio: https://www.instagram.com/merakiconceptstudio/?hl=en

Connect with Ebi and Emmanuel

Website: https://ourlovelygoods.com/

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

If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.

Connect with me

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

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

Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop

https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop I speak with Georgina, owner and founder of Afro Touch Design.

Georgina makes beautiful hand finished cards using West African wax fabric and we talk about Covid-19, business in general, wholesale and what challenges Georgina have to meet being a black-owned business as well as selling a diverse product. We talk about why there are not enough cards featuring black people on them in all sort of shops, why does Georgina as a black woman have to go to actively seek out a card in a special shop or online instead of popping into her local gift shop to get an anniversary card for her husband?

This week I learned a lot about myself and about being anti-racist instead of being non-racist and I will continue to learn about this. Going forward I will actively invite more diverse guests and not shy away from having open conversations about biases and inequality in our industry.

I would love to hear your thoughts on what you think will happen when shops open up again? What will get you to visit a store in real life? And/or if you plan to continue shopping online more this year?

Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Diverse Gifts: https://diverse-gifts.myshopify.com/

Bonkers: https://www.bonkers.uk.com/

Moon Lane Books: https://www.moonlaneink.co.uk/

Connect with Georgina

Website: https://afrotouch.design/

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

If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.

Connect with me

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

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

Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop

https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Zoe, owner and founder of W.A. Green. A wonderful homeware boutique in Shoreditch in London. I love W.A. Greens mantra, “Dopamine for the home” and I never felt it was as needed as it is right now.

We talk all about how the business is doing right now, how jigsaws and pretty wrapping paper played a big part in keeping the orders coming in during this time, what brand owners and suppliers can do to help and how retail might look like when shops are allowed to open again after this lengthy period of lockdown due to Covid-19.

I would love to hear your thoughts on what you think will happen when shops open up again? What will get you to visit a store in real life? And/or if you plan to continue shopping online more this year?

Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Cire Trudon: https://trudon.com/eu_en/

Chroma Yoga: https://www.chromayoga.co.uk/

The Completist: https://the-completist.com/

Slowdown studios: https://slowdownstudio.com/

Trouva: https://www.trouva.com/

Connect with Zoe

Website: https://wagreen.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/w.a.greenlondon/

If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.

Connect with me

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

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

Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop

https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Rosie Davies Smith who’s the founder of PR Dispatch and LFA PR Agency. We talk about pivoting your business and adapting to the current climate. Why now is a great time for small businesses to start doing PR since the press has a lot of time for small businesses at the moment, how to get started, tips for working with influencers and much more.

I really admire how Rosie does business and how she is building PR Dispatch up and how it’s helping our small business community.

Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Yeshen https://www.instagram.com/yeshen.uk/

Crafty Fox https://www.instagram.com/craftyfoxmarket/

Shrimps House https://www.instagram.com/shrimpshouse/

Dinky Human https://www.instagram.com/dinki_human/

Etna Loves https://www.instagram.com/ettaloves/

KanKan https://www.instagram.com/kankan_london/

Connect with Rosie

Website: https://prdispatch.com/

Website: https://www.lfa.agency/

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

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

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

If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.

Connect with me

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

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

Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop

https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Sarah from Pencil Me In, a stationery shop in Scotland. Sarah shares so many brilliant tips that I almost feel that you need a notebook during this episode. Tune in for lots of practical tips that you can action right away to help you wholesale your range and grow your business.

We talk about retail right now, what gaps there are in the card industry here in the UK and how we as small business owners can help each other.

Pencil Me in is also the home of #myshoplife and I recommend that you give the hashtag a follow and you will discover lots of brilliant shops to support.

If you have a story to share, please get in touch, either using the link below or via DM or email, I would love to hear from you.

Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Katie Housley: https://www.instagram.com/katiehousleystationery/

Holly & CO: https://www.instagram.com/holly.co/

Text a Potato: https://www.instagram.com/textapotato/

The Yorkshire Sculpture Park: https://ysp.org.uk/

Hunter Paper Co.: https://www.instagram.com/hunterpaperco/

Jade Fisher Card Co.: https://www.instagram.com/jadefishercardco/

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

Ohh Deer: https://www.instagram.com/ohhdeer/

Twin Pines: https://www.instagram.com/twinpines_/

Stormy Knight: https://www.instagram.com/stormyknightuk/

Hiya Pal: https://www.instagram.com/hiyapalcards/

Artist Support Pledge: https://www.instagram.com/artistsupportpledge

Oh Squirrel: https://www.instagram.com/oh_squirrel/                            

The Decorating Centre Online: https://www.instagram.com/decoratingcentreonline/

Hole in my pocket: https://www.instagram.com/HIMPdesign/

Yeshen: https://www.instagram.com/yeshen.uk/

Holly Booth Studio: https://www.instagram.com/hollyboothstudio/ 

Connect with Sarah

Website: https://pencilmeinshop.co.uk/

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

If you’re a shop owner, join Sarah’s Facebook group, My Shop Life Collective https://www.facebook.com/groups/445843332443456/?ref=share

If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.

Connect with me

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

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

Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop

https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop I speak with husband and wife team Becca and Chris Williamson who are owners of Truce, a lifestyle fashion and home store in Nailsworth, Cotswolds. We talk all about buying right now and how retail might look like this autumn. It was so lovely to hear how Becca and Chris have been able to keep placing wholesale orders throughout this time and that they are also keeping their eyes open for new suppliers.

It’s not surprising, but just as most retailers I’ve spoken to during this time they are receiving a lot fewer pitch emails which is understandable but it also means that don’t feel bad about doing everything you can to keep your business going during this time and assume that stores don’t want to hear from you. Continue sending thoughtful and well-researched pitches but be as flexible as you can with minimum orders etc. to help your stockists and work together with them.

Also, don’t be afraid of thinking outside of the box and perhaps offer to send a sample and jump on a video call to present your range.

If you have a story to share, please get in touch, either using the link below or via DM or email, I would love to hear from you.

Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Tom Pigeon: https://www.tompigeon.com/

Connect with Becca and Chris

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

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

If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.

Connect with me

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

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

Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop

https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Gayle from Gayle Mansfield Design about continuing to do well during Covid-19 and how she’s had to adjust how she works from her garden studio to keep up with demand, how she’s feeling at the moment and what she will hold onto when this pass.

I then speak with Patsy from Moxon London, a wholesale platform that helps design-led brands reach a new audience and grow their wholesale. Patsy shares lots of great tips that you can use for your wholesale about how to reach out to brands, how to decide what tradeshows to attend and much more.

If you have a story to share, please get in touch, either using the link below or via DM or email, I would love to hear from you.

Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.

Links mentioned in this episode:

An Artful life: https://www.anartfullife.co.uk/

W.A Green: https://wagreen.co.uk/

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

Connect with Gayle

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

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

Connect with Patsy

Website: https://www.moxon.london/

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

If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.

Connect with me

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

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

Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop

https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Nicki from Pedddle, an online platform for that connects markets, stallholders and visitors. Since no markets can currently take place Pedddle have pivoted and are now running online markets every two weeks to help their stallholders stay visual and drive sales to their online stores.

Pedddle also helps makers with their businesses through their brilliant blog and weekly lives on their Instagram account and I love what Nicki is building and that we can discover new makers and small businesses to support during this time.  

If you have a story to share, please get in touch, either using the link below or via DM or email, I would love to hear from you.

Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.

Links mentioned in this episode:

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

Folksy: https://folksy.com/

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/

Andsotoshop: https://andsotoshop.com/

Connect with Nicki from Peddle

Website: https://pedddle.com/

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

If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.

Connect with me

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

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

Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop

https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX