In this episode of Let's Talk Shop podcast, I speak with, buyer and owner Priya Aurora-Crowe of Lark London.    Lark London is a wonderful chain of 18 independent brick-and-mortar stores in London and Surrey, that is owned by Priay and her husband Dominic Crowe.    Priya shared her experiences and perspectives on the ever-evolving world of retail. Here are some of the key takeaways:    Previews and Prototypes: Priya expressed her love for getting early glimpses of new ranges and products. It's like Christmas for her team at Lark! They enjoy opening boxes, reading ..read more

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with, Jake and Freya from Studio Wald. This is the second time Jake and Freya comes on the podcast and a lot have happened in their business since last time.   They have now got over 1000 stockists who bought from them, with over 300 buying regularly, and they now employ a team of 4.    In this episode, we dive into the challenges and triumphs of running a product-based business, focusing on wholesale strategies, production quality, and market conditions. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:   1️⃣ Balancing growth w ..read more

In this episode of Let’s talk Shop, I had the pleasure of talking to Myfanwy Gloster from Glosters Pottery. Mev and her husband Tom founded Glosters Pottery, with Tom being the potter and Mev handling the day-to-day operations. They started with a café and gradually transitioned into a craft pottery shop, which has now become a thriving wholesale business.   During the conversation, Mev shares their journey of starting small, how the business grew throughout the pandemic, and how they this year decided to start to wholesale. She discusses their decision to exhibit at their first trade sho ..read more

You’re going to want to get your notebook out for this one.    In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lucy Hitchcock, the founder of Partner in Wine. We discussed her experience in building a successful brand and her insights on packaging, pricing and wholesale. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:   1️⃣ Build a strong brand: Lucy emphasized the importance of getting your brand right before anything else. Consistency is key - from your packaging to your social media presence. This means aligning everything you create with your brand ..read more

Welcome to another episode of "Let's Talk Shop!" In today's episode, we’re flipping the script. As I asked our guest, Nina Elegba to interview me for a change. We chat about everything from selling hot dogs outside nightclubs to becoming a successful business owner. We talk about the role of gratitude, manifestation, and finding your own unique methods to stay calm, grounded, and aligned in the business world. So grab a cup of coffee and join us as we explore the keys to success, the power of trade bodies, and the joy of connecting with your audience.  Timstamps [00:01:33] Thank you to ..read more

In this episode of Let's Talk Shop, we have a special guest, David Nichols-Rice, who shares his journey and experiences in the creative industry. With a background in working with artists and trade shows, David discusses his love for wholesale and the rewarding yet challenging aspects of being a sole decision-maker. He shares insights on launching his own line of greeting cards, pivoting to online sales during the pandemic, and creating authentic relationships with retailers. Join us as we dive into David's story of resilience and success in the greeting card industry.   Time Stamps: 00:0 ..read more

In this episode of Let's Talk Shop, host Therese interviews Hannah Paine, the founder of Epanoui. Hannah shares her journey of starting a jewellery brand and opening a brick and mortar store. She discusses the challenges she faced, the importance of integrating herself within the community, and the careful growth of her business. With her unique perspective as both a brand owner and a shop buyer, Hannah offers valuable insights into the wholesale market and the success of independent brands.   Time Stamps:   - [00:00:00] Introduction to Let's Talk Shop and guest Hannah - [00:01:11] D ..read more

Welcome back to Let's Talk Shop! In today's episode, we have a very special guest joining us. Sakina Bouy, the visionary behind The Somerset Toiletry Co, will be sharing her incredible journey in the toiletry industry. From navigating through economic crashes to understanding ever-changing legislation, Sakina has built an impressive brand known for its integrity and beauty.    Tune in as she discusses the expansion of her company, the importance of understanding market demands, and the challenges faced in today's business landscape. We'll also delve into the impact of Brexit, the com ..read more

Season 6 is coming to an end and in this episode, Sasha and I speak about how we both found the experience of working together and what she’s learned about growing her sales.   We also set some goals for the next 6 months and talk about what’s been surprising and what’s worked and hasn’t worked.   Growing your wholesale and your sales can feel lonely and challenging at times but remember that consistency and staying focused is the way to go. If you need help and would like to work together in 2022, please apply to work with me via my website.   Please like and subscribe if you e ..read more

Today we’re in Brighton where Sasha cold calls on shops in the hopes of getting some new stockists so that she can grow her wholesale business.    Cold calling, whether by phone, email, or in-person can be very scary but it doesn’t have to me. When it comes to cold calling practice really does make a huge difference, in particular, if you visit in person.    In-person cold calling will allow you to check if the store is a good fit before you approach and you will often find out the name of the buyer and get their initial reaction.    In between Sasha’s store visit ..read more