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Girl Bosses of Great Britain

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“A career driven by passion never feels like work.” So says Luxury Promise Founder and CEO Sabrina Sadiq who left her job as a lawyer to pursue a career in second-hand luxury goods.

Luxury Promise is a next generation social commerce platform where people can buy, sell, exchange and repair preloved luxury goods, all meticulously authenticated by Sabrina and her team. “I often say that it’s not what we sell but how we sell that sets us apart,” she says and Luxury Promise certainly backs that up.

Launched in 2017, Luxury Promise has successfully grown a loyal community of fashionistas from all over the world and sets itself apart with its forward-thinking, experiential, omnichannel approach. The company has seen a 5x growth in sales and has also opened a physical boutique in South Molton Street, unlocking a new business milestone for Sabrina and her team.

In this latest edition of Girl Bosses of Great Britain, we catch up with the queen of pre-loved luxury herself and talk all things designer, sustainability, best investment pieces – and how Luxury Promise is democratising the luxury goods industry one designer bag at a time.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and background. What made you start Luxury Promise?

A lawyer by education, my inspiration to create Luxury Promise came from buying my first pre-loved handbag which was a vintage Hermes Kelly and then going on to selling it for double the price. Here I learned that a luxury handbag can really be an investment. It led to me exploring the world of authentication. I then went on to set up a school of authentication, teaching many people how to spot a fake.

Whilst studying authentication, I learnt that the secondary pre-loved market was still very fragmented and that resale platforms were not inclusive. So many markets were still untapped and with a shift of consumer mindset to sustainability, someone had to bring a fresh and diverse approach to second-hand goods. Luxury Promise was created to solve a problem in the industry which was to connect fragmented markets as well as bring back the luxury in second-hand shopping.

In what ways is Luxury Promise democratising luxury?

Luxury Promise is democratising luxury by creating an inclusive & accessible experiential platform for customers from all over the world to buy and sell their preowned luxury goods. By providing an omnichannel shopping experience, we are working to make luxury shopping more accessible to a global audience from largely under-served markets.

As part of our mission to democratise luxury, we are working to level the playing field between audiences from eastern & western markets to ensure that customers from all over the world gain access to their dream bags. Furthermore, we are working to offer luxury goods to a wider audience & attract customer to shop luxury at affordable prices – offering something for everyone, with our range of products starting at just £45.

Sustainability is at the forefront of every fashion conversation these days – what role do companies like Luxury Promise play in the sustainable revolution?

As a luxury resale platform, we are extending the lifecycle of luxury products by giving them a second chance, a second home to be worn & enjoyed. Sustainability is not only a brand effort but a big part of our brand identity. It goes beyond just a mere transaction as we also offer our customers a one year warranty in case, they wish to send in any products for repairs via our in-house repairs service. Our audience of luxury preloved consumers also understands this aspect of our brand identity, wherein more than 65% of our customers choose to plant a tree with every purchase, truly honing our efforts to offset our carbon footprint.

How is Luxury Promise setting itself apart from other resale businesses in the market today?

I often say that it’s not what we sell but how we sell that sets us apart. The global luxury resale market is becoming increasingly saturated & competitive. Luxury Promise can establish its own niche & stand out as a quality brand in this market by focusing on experiential selling, community driven engagement, a curated product range & authentication prowess. As the counterfeit market continues to grow, authentication remains a top priority at Luxury Promise, where we have established a 3 step authentication process. Selling via live shopping allows us to address a global audience and truly build relationships with our community via personality-focused selling.

What have been the biggest challenges and milestones you’ve faced as an entrepreneur?

Every day is a challenge in the life of an entrepreneur, but with this we adapt and learn which for me, is the most exciting part. But I have to say, as it is a career driven by passion it never feels like work!

What has been your favourite second-hand luxury buy – and what makes it so special?

My personal favourite preloved luxury bag must be the Vintage Hermes Kelly. It’s the first luxury bag that I purchased preloved and the reason why I got into this space. It is a great investment purchase and the Hermes craftsmanship is unbeatable. I would consider it to be an heirloom piece – a bag in my collection that I will always cherish with great fondness.

What’s next for you? Any exciting new projects in the pipeline?

It has been an incredible year for Luxury Promise, scaling our business throughout the pandemic and emerging as one of the strongest & largest luxury resale platforms in the UK with the most amazing community. The only way is up. We are consistently scaling our operations and audience & 2022 will be a year to watch!

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own fashion business?

My advice would be – don’t be scared to fail. I think it is always important to remember that failure is needed to learn to become better. If you want to do something, just go for it. Just love what you do and let your passion drive you. You will then feel like you will never work a day in your life. Take every opportunity you can take to push your business to the next level. Sometimes you must take yourself out of your comfort zone. It is not always smooth sailing and success is never ever easy. It takes times and it is hard work and that hard work never stops.

WWW.LUXURYPROMISE.COM

Legacy is a big word and one that often brings with it a sense of responsibility. As the granddaughter of the late great Charlie Chaplin, Kiera Chaplin understands the importance of carrying a legacy – something she does, impeccably and inspiringly —through her charitable NFTS.

CryptoChaplins is Kiera’s way of using her passion for the arts to give back to those in need. Launched with Digitfully, the campaign offers series of 888 cards based on a ‘Kiera’ animé character based on her likeness. She has also partnered with The Desert Flower Foundation to launch ‘Savvy Kiera’ to help build schools in Sierra Leone and educate young women.

Amidst all this, Team Coco catches up with Kiera to dig deeper into her charity work, the lasting power of NFTs and how she is reinventing her grandfather’s legacy.

Tell us a little bit about yourself – what made you fall in love with art?

I’ve always been a dreamer and art has a way of making you escape reality into different dimensions of creativity. I find it very appeasing to the soul. I don’t know exactly when my love for art started, as I grew up around eccentric artists but one thing is for sure and it’s that it has always attracted me.

Could you tell us more about Cryptrochaplins and your partnership with Digitfully?

I met Paab Pruchniewski from Digitfully a while back. A few months ago, he contacted me to tell me about this whole new world of NFT campaigns that he was working on with Digitfully. I found it fascinating and after brainstorming we came up with CryptoChaplins.

What started as just making a few images and giving back to charities has now turned into creating a community of likeminded people. People who like art and entertainment, trendsetters and innovators that care about the future of the planet. CryptoChaplins will be a series of 888 cards of “Kiera” who is an Animé character that fights different causes that we suffer today. When you hold one of these cards, you become a member of the CryptoChaplins community which will unlock many cool surprises.

Charitable work is such a huge part of everything that you do – could you tell us more about The Desert Flower Foundation and your work there?

I started working with The Desert Flower Foundation in 2018 after meeting the founder, Waris Dirie, and hearing her tell her story. She has been fighting against female genital mutilation for over 20 years. After hearing that it still so present all around the world, even in Europe, and being a big advocate for women empowerment I had to join forces with her. After a few discussions we realised that the best way to eradicate this barbaric assault on women was through education. As the places where it is the most practiced usually has the highest rate of illiteracy and poverty. With education we give kids a chance at a better future in more ways than one.

Tell us more about your latest ‘Savvy Kiera’ NFT series?

Savvy Kiera is a series of 8 NFT’s that go towards Desert Flower Foundation to help build schools in Sierra Leone. ‘Savvy Kiera’ is a knowledge hungry student that is shown in images learning math, geography, music, sports etc. In the overall story, Kiera the Hero travels back in time from the year 2888 to help push education to save the future of planet earth, because knowledge is power, and we need future generations to be as savvy as possible to not end up corrupted by evil dark forces.

Do you think NFTs are here to stay?

Absolutely! Without a doubt. There are too many passionate people for it to just disappear. But mostly an NFT is a digital certificate of ownership, so in the future you will see it being used for many transactions such as real estate. Right now, we mainly hear about it in the art world but soon it will be used for so much more.

Beyond NFT’s you also have several high-profile collaborations with Jagre Le Coultre, Janavi India and Hogan – how do you go about finding the right brands to partner with?

I only like to work with brands that I respect and that I like to wear. With that, it’s all about seeing eye to eye and creating something beautiful and fun together. I’m very lucky in that sense to be able to bring my artistic touch to these incredible brands.

The name ‘Chaplin’ brings with it a massive legacy – how are you ensuring that your famous family’s legacy lives on?

So far it seems my grandfather’s legacy lives on regardless. It’s incredible how much he is still loved, but I do my part by trying to see him today as more of a brand than a person. My father hates it when I say that but I know that we must find ways to reinvent ourselves or the legacy could disappear, and my grandfather would hate that. I’ve done my part by creating the Chaplin Awards and doing other various things. I enjoy it. He’s my biggest source of inspiration.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists looking to make a name for themselves in the art world?

Never be scared to show your truth. You must sometimes dig deep in the ugly to bring out something beautiful.

In this inspiring guest post, Girl Boss Maxine Wells gives House of Coco the lowdown on how she started her business, Intimate Apparel Samples, became London’s resident lingerie lady.

“Turning creative visions into a reality makes my day job a dream! I am Maxine Wells proud Founder of Intimate Apparel Samples.

My business offers a unique design and development service supporting Intimate Apparel and Swimwear businesses.

I love my job, whether working with start-ups or established brands I enjoy the entire process of supporting my clients along their creative journey to produce high quality collections”

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start your business?

I am the youngest of four sisters and was very quiet & introspective as a child. This meant I had a vivid imagination & wild creativity. I enjoyed losing myself in a daydream about what I could create or who I could become.
My daydreaming was a cause of concern at school, with teachers often noting the negative effects it had on my schoolwork, however it has since become one of my superpowers

My ability to form a crystal clear vision of my dream life & mission propels me in their direction, with complete belief that they will manifest externally regardless of my circumstances.

I started my business, because I wanted to add value to the world and I felt I could make a positive impact by creating jobs with a company culture that uplifts and supports those around us.

Our factory & coaching programs also nurture start-ups and independent brands which furthers my mission in supporting people living their dreams & life purpose.

What have been the biggest milestones so far?

There are so many, but moving into our Wembley Park studio in 2018, investing in high tech industrial machinery and hiring full time permanent staff, was a big turning point in the business.

It took a big mindset shift to make those commitments. I was no longer hiding behind ‘busy-ness’ and instead took scary financial risks which has since paid off!

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced on the way to becoming the lingerie lady of London?

Balancing motherhood and business has certainly had its difficult moments, although it is much easier now he’s eight years old.

I suffered the dreaded mum guilt to a severe level when he was younger. I felt there was something fundamentally wrong with me for still having the desire to continue growing my business and wanting to work.

I gave up my first studio when he was a baby and scaled back the business, so I could be a ‘proper mum’. I tried to convince myself I could be fulfilled without working towards my big ambitious dreams, but there came a breaking point where I could no longer lie to myself. I am who I am, and once I embraced that and started pursuing my goals again, both mum and son become much happier.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become GirlBosses like yourself?

Start small and minimise your risks. Business is a marathon not a sprint, so take small but continuous steps in the direction of your wildest dreams and do everything you can to enjoy the journey otherwise you risk quitting before seeing the results.

Bootstrap at the beginning until you understand your business and industry well, but depending on the business there may come a time when you need to take a calculated risk and invest in the business’ growth. Working harder doesn’t always equate to higher rewards but taking well-thought out risks can.

When the business is going through tough times, remind yourself that if business was easy everyone would be doing it. I have always found this helps me. Also, when things feel hard or messy, it doesn’t mean you are not cut out for this, it simply means you are challenging yourself and you should congratulate rather than be hard on yourself, because you are freaking awesome for pushing outside of your comfort zone.

For more information, visit Intimate Apparel Samples on https://intimateapparelsamples.com/

“Curiosity means we are open to learning something new,” says founder Jacqueline Mozanowski as she tells us about the unique, introspective ethos that informs OBLIVIOUS? “Curiosity helps us grow and develop and to not get stuck in a routine that we might not even be entirely happy with, but to be an active participant in your own life. We seek to inspire others to ask themselves more questions, to understand themselves better, but also to ask others more questions.

OBLIVIOUS? was founded by mother and daughter duo Romi and Jacquie, who have, through endless phone calls between London and Germany, launched their own conscious fashion brand amid pandemic times. In many ways, OBLIVIOUS? is a brand that is perfect for the times we find ourselves in. One that does away with fast-fashion trends and instead challenges its wearers to look inwards, ask questions and reignite their curiosity for the world.

“We believe that as a brand with purpose, our message sets us apart from other brands,” Jacqueline adds. Our aim is to actually inspire people to ask more questions and be curious and for those who see our pieces to consider what their answer to the question would be… Questions and their power run throughout the whole brand, from our products to our packaging, as this is what we aim to inspire people with.”

Tell us a little bit about yourselves and your backgrounds – what inspired you to start OBLIVIOUS?

OBLIVIOUS? was founded by mother-daughter duo, Romi and Jacquie, from Stuttgart, Germany.

My mom Romi is originally from the Netherlands but has been living in Germany for a long time, working in interior design. Meanwhile, I’ve been living in the UK for several years, where I completed my BA and MsC.

My mom and I have always had a tight-knit relationship and this only grew stronger as I grew up. We also have very similar interests and tastes in fashion and design, which is one of the reasons we knew we’d successfully work together on OBLIVIOUS?

We are both naturally curious people and have always discussed potential ideas for businesses. Even when I was seven years old, we were already talking about ideas and how we could bring them to life. When I finished my studies and we were spending a lot of time together, we considered how powerful questions are in our lives and how they can impact us in a positive way.

Fashion has always been an interest of ours, but it also seemed to be a very potent platform to share the message of inspiring more curiosity and highlighting the positive power of questions. Fashion can also have an impact on our mood and help us express our identities.

We quickly decided that if we were to put anything new into the world, we would do it as responsibly and sustainably as possibly. With a brand ethos that prides itself on asking questions, we felt it was necessary to question the standard fashion cycle and try to do better. So, OBLIVIOUS? Is timely and reflective of what we want to put out into the world.

With mom still living in Germany and me in London, most of our work is done digitally or over the phone and we have divided many of the tasks and areas of work between each other. We do occasionally see each other in person, but this has been more difficult over the past year and a half.

I love the concept of the ‘positive power of questions’ how does this philosophy translate to your collections at OBLIVIOUS?

Questions and their power run throughout the whole brand, from our products to our packaging, as this is what we aim to inspire people with.

We try to incorporate the positive power of questions by using different questions on each of our products, either with a print or embroidery. Our range which currently consists of both men and women’s’ t-shirts, hoodies and long sleeves, everything is unisex.

All our products are premium basics designed by us, which often have a little twist so that they are more interesting than a standard hoodie. Each piece shines the light on the question, which is the focal point. We want our pieces to be comfortable but look fashionable enough to be worn from day to night.

OBLIVIOUS? has a strong sustainable ethos too – could you tell us more about the sustainability credentials of your range?

Sustainability has gained traction within the fashion industry in the past few years and has become more and more relevant and for good reason! Fashion is a very polluting industry and as a small brand, we wanted to add as little to that footprint as possible.

While some innovations aren’t available to small businesses just yet, there are many exciting projects out there that we can hopefully scale-up someday.

Our aim is to use as little plastic as possible. We avoid it as much as we can due to its polluting effect on our planet. We are also committed to using materials that don’t contain harmful toxins and are more water-efficient.

So far, we use 100% GOTS certified Organic Cotton for all our products – the GOTS certification not only ensures our fabric’s sustainable origins and production processes, but it also guarantees that workers involved in the supply chain are ethically treated. We also use water-based inks without toxic chemicals for our prints and our labels are printed on the inside of our products to minimise excess fabrics.

We produce everything in Europe. Our new collection being produced in Portugal – not only because Portugal is a great manufacturing country for sustainable fashion, but also because it is in relative proximity to where our company is based, requiring less transport, and ensuring that employees are treated ethically.

We weave our sustainability mission throughout our whole brand, which is why all our packaging, including hangtags, are made from recycled and or recyclable paper and less harmful inks.

What is the best and worst thing about working together as mother and daughter?

Founding a company and going through the whole process together has added another layer to our relationship. We’ve learned many lessons together and shared our successes and worries with each other.

Working together means that we are in even more contact than before, which is lovely, but sometimes we only talk business and not much else. Having such similar tastes helps and when we do have differing opinions, we can discuss them and find a solution quite easily, as we trust each other and have a strong relationship.

The best thing about working together is learning and growing together and strengthening our relationship in a different way, but the worst thing is that sometimes it can be all about work too.

In your view – what sets OBLIVIOUS? apart from other fashion brands today?

We believe that as a brand with purpose, our message sets us apart from other brands. Our aim is to actually inspire people to ask more questions and be curious and for those who see our pieces to consider what their answer to the question would be. I believe that our basic, minimalist but updated designs make us more interesting fashion-wise.

Where do the inspirations for the questions printed on your products come from?

The inspiration is literally everywhere. When we first started, we started document where we keep all the questions we come up with or have come across and we continuously add to it. When it comes to choosing which ones to use, it comes down to what we believe is relevant, what suits the moment and the collection, and what we deem to be great questions. Whether they act as a reminder or truly ask that you think about something thoroughly.

Lockdown has been tough on our collective mental health. In your opinion, how do curiosity and inquisitiveness help people deal with the anxieties of the world in 2021?

A lot has changed in the last year and a half and there are also many other things happening in the world right now that can accelerate feelings of anxiety and more.

Curiosity means we are open to learning something new and openness leads to a more positive mindset and hopefulness. Curiosity helps us grow and develop and to not get stuck in a routine that we might not even be entirely happy with, but to be an active participant in your own life. We seek to inspire others to ask themselves more questions, to understand themselves better, but also to ask others more questions. Research shows that our relationships can be improved by asking more questions and it’s such an easy tool to show interest and create a closer bond with someone.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become GirlBosses like yourselves?

It is always scary whenever you do something you’ve never done before. Starting a business can seem daunting, but if you have an idea you believe in, you’ll want to do the best you can – so trust yourself that you will. You are capable of great things, if you put the work in, believe in yourself and take opportunities. Don’t shy away from asking for advice from others.

WWW.AREWEOBLIVIOUS.COM

What goes into a name? For Syl( Yanling Sha) the story behind the name of her fashion brand ‘Rue Agthonis’ started with a revolutionary moment in her life. What started as an unfortunate incident, wherein Syl lost her first collection in Paris, became the inspiration for her to kickstart her fashion dreams. That very street ‘Rue Agathonis’ became the first chapter of the Rue Agthonis brand – a testament to Syl’s distinctive vision and sheer commitment to view even the most tragic moments as opportunities for creation.

“The story behind my brand name comes from a personal and revolutionary moment in my life,” she says. “Although it was terrible at the time, I viewed it as a new opportunity for me to start my own brand, and I wanted to take something from the experience for the rebirth of my collections.”

While only a three-year-old brand, Rue Agthonis has already made significant waves in the fashion industry. Rue Agthonis debuted its classical oil-painting-inspired fall line at Shanghai Fashion Week, with an intimate showing planned on the official London Fashion Week schedule this September. Despite the challenges of the last year, Syl is determined to inspire women to make every moment special with fashion. To her, dressing up is the equivalent of ‘loving yourself well,’ and we certainly agree.

In this interview, our Fashion Editor Hannah Tan-Gillies sits down with Syl and talks about the fateful moment that inspired her fashion brand, the ethereal inspirations for her latest collection and fashion’s power to transform a woman and make every moment feel precious.

Rue Agthonis is such a unique name – can you tell us more about the inspiration behind it?

There is a cunning meaning behind the creation of the name ‘Rue Agthonis,’ which stems from a street in the South of France. The story behind my brand name comes from a personal and revolutionary moment in my life.

I was in France in the train station on Rue Agathonis, where I lost my suitcase which had my first collection in it. Although it was terrible at the time, I viewed it as a new opportunity for me to start my own brand, and I wanted to take something from the experience for the rebirth of my collections. I found the name Rue Agathonis so enticing whereas in French, ‘rue’ means ‘street’ and I removed the second ‘a’ from the road Agathonis which turned into ‘Agthonis.’ This was the beginning of my fashion dream and I wanted to include this part of my experience in the creation of my brand.

Rue Agthonis is only a three-year-old brand, but you have already been asked to participate in some of the fashion world’s most prestigious shows. What has been the biggest milestone?

Thank you for the kind words! Although we try not to set ourselves milestones — as we don’t want to limit our creativity or potential as a young brand — we’re very proud of the work we’ve done this year. On the 10th of April, we debuted our AW21 Collection at Shanghai Fashion Week and worked hard to produce an incredible collection and show. From the products, styling, and the entire show’s production, we spent lots of time and effort to create a cohesive show. I feel the proudest and satisfied about this achievement, especially with the warm reception it received on social media.

If you could describe the Rue Agthonis aesthetic in three words, what would they be?

Love, quality, and positive beauty

Tell us more about your latest collection – what are the inspirations behind it and what is your favourite piece?

The inspiration for the Rue Agthonis 2021 line was born from classical oil paintings. We integrated oil painting techniques with clothing production, and injected gorgeous contrasting colours, changing winding lines, and complex romantic decorative elements into the collection.

Costume design and classical oil painting are both artistic forms of expression, and when paired together they construct a unique aesthetic space full of colour, light and shade, lines, and texture. We hope that through the incitement of sensations, the aesthetics of clothing will be closer to the pursuit of sensory joy in the world: a desire for sweetness, the pursuit of happiness, whilst rejecting frugality.

The fringed ankle-length coat is my favourite garment from this season. This style uses sophisticated tweed fabrics, where traditional tweed is woven with a fringed texture, like hand-woven raffia, finished with layers of fringed embellishments.

The large tassels caress the ankles, creating movement and soft rustles with each step, transforming every woman who wears it into the centre of attention at all walks of life.

During the last year, everyone swapped high-heels for sweatpants because of COVID. Do you think now is the right time to reintroduce glamour into our wardrobes?

I believe that they’re comparable. In such a special time, the emotions and encounters between people have become more precious and unique. Taking this into consideration, we want to remind women that every moment is precious, whether it be a family gathering or cocktail evening, and every moment can be embellished by dressing up. It’s never a bad thing to make yourself feel special, when you please yourself, you deliver the message of “love yourself well.”

What’s next for you? Any new exciting projects in the pipeline?

In the second half of this year, we plan to host a small event in the official schedule of London Fashion Week. At the same time, we will continue to run our fashion show at Shanghai Fashion Week. We look forward to seeing the two projects in parallel.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become GirlBosses like yourselves?

In addition to professionalism at work, you can also fun into your work environment when setting work goals, so that in moments of success you can relax and revel in the process of completing your goals.

WWW.RUEAGTHONIS.COM

Skincare is self care, looking after your skin is the number one way to feel like you are looking after yourself. It’s hard to find brands on the market that are natural and have your best skincare needs in mind.

Cue the arrival of Amor Sui, a skincare brand that is as natural as they come. Founded during lockdown, this company may just be getting started but they’re off to a flying start. We spent some time with their founder Tiana to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching your brand Amor Sui…

The brand was launched during lockdown, with a mission of creating products to help people find a little more me time and connect with themselves during a growing stressful situation. It started as a candle and aromatherapy brand, inspired by crystal healing, and then organically grew into a skin/body care brand.

Where did your love for skincare come from?

I have always looked after my skin from a very early age, being mixed race, growing up in the countryside in the late 90s you have to do a lot of research into hair and skincare that is right for you, as at the time there were no products tailored to your market.

People often comment on how I look like I’m in my early 20s not mid 30s, and although some may be genetic, I contribute it to good skincare practices and a certain way of thinking. I try to put some of my philosophies into each product.

Who’s involved in the business and what are their roles?

I work closely with a wonderful team on natural skincare specialists, they help bring my products to life, and with their chemists ensure they are at the highest standards.

What’s the process behind launching a new product?

Each product is developed to balance mind, body, soul, so great care is taken when selecting the ingredients. For example the Rose Quartz Body Cream from the Collagen Collection contains proven active ingredients such as Kotu Kola Stem Cell, soothing essential oils that calm the mind, and a blend of rose essential oils believed to balance the heart chakra, in the same way we use rose quartz crystals.

What has been the biggest learning curve since launching the business?

Patience is a virtue. A lot of time, preparation, trial and error goes into starting a business, you may have to try several avenues before having a final products, but the cost is worth it to get a perfect product ready to launch.

What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to become an entrepreneur?

Just do it! So many people think too much about starting a business and eventually talk themselves out of it. Find something you are passionate about and think of products or services related to it that either fill a gap in the market or are trending. Do your research, and don’t give up.

The beauty and skincare industry is so fast changing, what trends do you expect to see coming through in the next few years?

I can see the vegan market ever growing, I think more mainstream brands with take note of this. I also think natural beauty will make a come back, not only in the product ingredients, but makeup as well. The focus will be on healthy skin rather than heavy contouring and foundation.

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

Kept my options open. In the early day I spent a lot of time building relationships with unreliable suppliers. It all worked out in the end, I have found some great ones, but it did waste a lot of time.

How would you describe your personal style?

I like neutral tones, and simple silhouettes with little details gold finished accessories to brighten things up.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

Each day is different, which is what I love about running a business. I like to start the day with some Sun Salutations, then check emails during breakfast.

Then it could be working on packaging design, social media, marketing or wholesale. When the sun is out I might get a cheeky lunch at Soho House.

I like to have a good wind-down in the evenings, but I never really clock off, I might suddenly have an idea and log on to make notes, or jump on Ai.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Social media is a great platform for growing a small business, it really helps your reach your target audience. I like to have good PR to back up the socials, as skincare needs to be tried, tested and trusted.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

I was planning on going to Bali before Covid came, so that is still on my list, along with the seeing the Northern Lights in a Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort igloo.

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

I don’t really have a quote, but I like to look at how far he business has come and how much it can grow.

What’s next for the business?

I have been working on some great partnerships which should launch later this summer. Keep your eyes on the socials for more updates!

What does self care mean to you?

Self care is so important, whether it’s aromatherapy skincare, burning sage or spending time with friends, reducing stress makes a huge difference.

Where can people find out more?

amor-sui.co.uk

and the instagram @amorsuiuk for updates

Lisa Reddings is the founder of Indigowares, a brand that champions being a free spirit. Lisa founded the company back in 2016, after going through a divorce, as an outlet to create patterns but also give herself the freedom to make an income whilst being there for her kids.

With fast fashion a topic of debate right now, Indigowares leans in to the opposite of that, using traditions and techniques that have been forgotten. Each piece will stand the test of time and this business is only just getting started, we spent some time with Lisa to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that led you to launching your brand Indigowares

I trained as a textile designer at Brighton Uni. I spent nearly 20 years working as a conceptual textile print designer based mostly in the fast fashion industry, working in New York, Italy, Spain and London. I felt like I was on a relentless treadmill most of the time. Fashion and textiles can be such a soul-destroying industry. So I took some time out to have kids and dip in and out as a freelancer.

Indigowares was born in 2016 out of my love and need to create pattern… plus I was going through a divorce and needed to figure out a business that would allow me to be there for my kids everyday too.

After my time in the fashion industry— which had taught me a lot, both good and bad— I wanted to create a line that was true to our planet and championed the incredible textile processes of natural dyeing, handloom weaving, resist pattern making and block printing. I was especially focused on keeping alive the traditional processes of dyeing textiles with natural dyes. Many of these techniques and traditions have been forgotten due to our ever-quickening demand for fast fashion throw away trends.

I began learning about indigo and its magical dyeing processes, as well as the cultures that did and still do use it. The journey that I am on will never end, this is just the beginning.

What has been the biggest learning curve since launching the business?

You would think that it would be about textile processes, but in fact I think I have learnt a lot about confidence and self-belief along the way. If you are true to who you are and what makes you happy then this will be a major core to building an authentic brand that is transparent and desirable.

Next lesson: realising you cannot wear all the hats all the time. Metaphorically speaking! Learning to get help on aspects of the business that would free up my time to create and make was a huge step forward.

A big lesson has been to understand how little the general clothing consumer knows and understands about the piece of clothing that they are buying.

I think that it is our job as designers, makers and brands to help the customer understand who made their clothes and what they are made of, how they should be cared for, and so on. I have begun to offer a Repairs and Care Service, repairing any worn or damaged Indigowares product for free with the aim to extend the life span of every garment.

Your brand is all about the free spirited bohemian existence. Why is this important to you?

I think the essence of Indigowares has become about finding a spiritual richness in the pieces we craft. We make Indigowares so that they have ancient roots with modern soul. We need to notice more beauty around us to lift our spirits, slow down and enjoy life.

How do you want women to feel when wearing your designs?

Free, comfortable, and assured that we have only used the most planet friendly materials and dyeing methods we can source.

You enjoy the art of shibori pattern making, can you talk us through this process?

Creating patterns using shibori, a Japanese resist dyeing technique, can be anywhere from a quick project to a labour-intensive process that takes hours of pattern preparation.

I share quick pattern ideas that can be crafted from my organic indigo DIY kit on my Instagram account – check them out!

Shibori is a giant umbrella of lots of resist dyeing techniques. I generally focus on Itajime— a folding and clamping method— and also Arashi, which means storm in Japanese and is a binding and winding technique. Both techniques are very different – one is very much an organized repeat pattern whereas Arashi is a binding technique that creates insane abstract lines. So for me I get the best of both worlds!

Indigo is a cumulative process and can take hours to build up the deep dark indigo hues. One dip achieves light blue, and twelve dips will give you a deep rich tone.

Indigo goes hand in hand with shibori and can be found going back as far as 3,000 years in Japan. The recent exhibition at the V&A about Kimono was incredible for sharing shibori patterns.

A little background on Indigo:

Indigo is a vat dye and completely unlike any other natural dye. It is not soluble in water and requires an alkaline solution from which the oxygen has been removed to become a dye that we can use.

Indigo is found in a plant – a common species is Indigofera tinctoria. Plants of the species Indigofera contain the chemical compound indicant in their leaves, and have been grown for thousands of years for their incredible blue dye. Indigo bearing plants have mostly been grown in tropical climates such as India, South America, and Japan— they love warmth and humidity.

The plant Indigofera tinctoria has light green foliage and pea like flowers and gives no clue to the amazing strong blue dye that can be obtained from the leaves. Extracting the indigo from the plant is a long complex fermentation process, which is incredibly labour intensive. It must be extracted by soaking in water in its ‘colourless’ state, fermented, and then mixed with lime and made into cakes/balls/slices. These cakes can be stored for long lengths of time and can then be ground down at a later date and made into a dye vat.

Indigo can dye all natural fibres. The shades of blue possible are dependent on the type of vat, type of indigo and type of fibre. But the shades of blue it can reach are like no other natural dye on earth. From deep midnight blue blacks to pale pastel duck egg blues.

Indigo has always been a precious and valuable dye. The level to which it was used was not just limited to fashion, but to signify wealth and status, including use in religious ceremonies.

But for me, I create my indigo vats at home in my little studio. I source my indigo from a lady grower in northern India named Kinny – If you’d like to read more, we have a blog on her here. Kinny’s indigo comes to me in block form and I have to grind it down in a pestle and mortar before then creating my dye vat.

What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to become an entrepreneur?

Trust your instincts and be as authentic as you can. Know your value and then times it by 3, especially if you are a woman.

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

Never look back. Maybe in hindsight I might have looked for investment to have grown quicker rather than boot strapping and building it from the kitchen table.

How would you describe your personal style?

Eclectic casual work wear. I love denim and generally live in jeans. I believe in buying classic timeless styles that don’t age so that they will last a lifetime in my wardrobe.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

My days generally are a bit of a mixed bag.

Usually my kids and I wake at about 6am. After school drop, then I go running for about an hour. That gets me set up for the day.

When I get back I’m ready to organise new orders and reply to emails. At the moment I’m editing the latest collection and creating descriptions and assets for the launch. The time designing and dyeing usually comes in blocks.

Once a week I have a quick meeting with my Virtual Assistant, Kay— she helps me get newsletters and blogs written, and has really taken so much pressure off my shoulders.

At 3pm I leave work and do the school pick-up. Hang out with the kids and friends in the local park. Once they get to bed I usually get another 2 hours of work in before bedtime.

Of course, this changes depending on the projects and collections I’m working on.

Last year was crazy as I was creating the ‘Reimagine Collection’ for the new sustainable Levis store in Soho. I had at least 4 vats going constantly, and dip dyed about 100 jeans and jackets throughout last summer.

This was such an exciting time as our partnership with Levi’s has been a huge step forward in innovating slow fashion retail models on a larger scale. I began talks with Levi’s in March 2020, agreeing to design and hand dye their Reimagine Collection. This collection is now sold exclusively at Levi’s Haus, a ‘circular-economy’ concept store that involves the customer in the sustainable process by offering repairs and repurposed garments (including Reimagine).

The indigo dyed pieces in my own collection are created within a unique sales model as well; they are all hand-dyed and made to order, following a slow fashion ‘made to order’ model. Each piece always comes with its own passport of when it was dyed, how it was dyed and what it is made of, so that the customer gets a unique on-of-a-kind piece.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Social media has played a part in the growth of Indigowares reaching further than the UK. I think it’s a great way to sell the sizzle. But it hard to replace face to face.

I would say that meeting people face to face at art fairs, such as Childwickbury in Hertfordshire and The Primrose Hill Fair, is vital to understand and respond to our customers. They also get to touch and feel the designs, which is when the brand comes to life.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

Far a field—Nepal is calling me. I’d love to find out more about hemp and its possibilities as a fibre (which is grown in Nepal), considering how I can use it in Indigowares and meeting the farmers and artisans of that country.

In closer reach, my partner is half based in LA but after this year we are staying closer to home for a while. We have a VW camper that is going to take us on adventures around the UK; surfing, hiking, and camping, climbing hills and dipping our toes in streams! We want to discover the hidden gems of the British Isles. Having travelled a lot before my kids were born, I really find a lot of peace in the UK countryside nowadays.

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

‘The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim low, and achieving the mark’ – Michelangelo

What’s next for the business?

Indigowares is a brand founded on sustainability, traditional practices and traceability within the sourcing and creation of each garment. Our ethos and handcrafted quality are consistent across all of our collections and collaborations— no matter what the context, I am dedicated to offering timeless luxury garments handcrafted through traditional textile processes.

I am also constantly looking for new opportunities to expand the sustainable model both within Indigowares and on a larger scale within the industry. Our collaboration with Levi’s on Reimagine was just the beginning of this journey.

Right now we are just launching our ‘undyed collection’ alongside our ‘Botanical Energy’ collection. It has been a goal for a long time that I design a capsule collection of undyed clothing for those who love to dye textiles. They can now have ready to wear pieces that are crafted from organic natural fabrics and sewn with organic cotton so that all of the garment takes the dye, even the stitching.

In the Botanical Energy Collection, I have designed one off pieces using eco printing techniques that take the natural dyes from flowers and food waste to imprint colour into the garments. The whole concept of the line is that it can be worn ‘undyed’ but it can also be transformed into your own unique hand-dyed piece, either by using our natural indigo DIY kit or your own natural dyes and techniques.

What does self care mean to you?

Self-care has meant learning to love myself and my body. It only took until I was 45! Wish I’d done it years ago. I’m grateful everyday for what I have, have learnt, and am learning. Gratitude makes me feel happy. I tell myself each morning “I am grateful because….”

I don’t take it for granted anymore. I am in awe, as a woman, of what women are capable of.

I’ve come to understand true friendship. And know no matter what happens they will be always there. Women need women. We can talk about things men would never dream of discussing. I try and surround myself with positive vibrant happy people. Age should never define friendship – different aged women in your life make it richer.

I find it hard to get a lot of down time but when I do I love time in my garden. Digging and growing is good for the soul, no matter how old you are.

Follow Indigowares to follow Lisa on her journey indigowares.com.

Facebook.com/Indigowares/

Kelly Rose is the founder of her brand, Kelly Rose Skincare and Aesthetics. She’s on a mission to help you realise that you CAN have the skin you have always wanted regardless of your age. A woman who is all about empowering others to see the best in themselves through her treatments and someone that takes the upmost care in what she does.

Add some confidence to your life when you work with Kelly and, aside from her extensive experience, she remains grounded, is always learning and is worthy of being a household name. We spent some time with her to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching your brand Kelly Rose Skincare & Aesthetics..

Throughout my teenage years, I had perfectly clear skin. I was incredibly lucky and like most people, assumed acne was something only teenagers had. When I hit my 20’s I had a super stressful job and acne erupted over my whole face, neck and back.

I was given all manner of creams, topical lotions and antibiotics for my skin from the doctor but nothing worked long-term. My acne would calm down a little and then erupt even more. My confidence was dented, I didn’t want to leave the house without make-up on, I felt ugly and embarrassed of my skin.

I knew it was time to try something different so I researched alternative skin treatments and eventually decided to go for a consultation at a clinic in London, where I was advised to have laser treatments on my acne. When I walked in, I was surrounded by glamourous ladies in the waiting room and felt out of place with my acne on show all over my skin. The laser treatments didn’t work for me personally, and eventually I decided to have Chemical Peel treatments for my skin at another clinic. After years of trying to help my skin, I couldn’t believe the results and after a number of sessions I finally had clear skin!

I studied Natural Science at University and the geeky side of me wanted to find out more about how these treatments worked and why they worked after I had tried so many other things! I became fascinated with understanding the physiology of the skin and it was then that I decided I wanted to help others and create a safe-space for them to receive help with their skin, and Kelly Rose Skincare & Aesthetics was born.

What has been the biggest learning curve since launching the business?

That perfection is the enemy of progress! I am such a perfectionist and really struggled with trying to get everything perfect in the beginning, from our website to our products. Over time, I’ve realized that nothing is going to be perfect the first time I implement something new, but there’s always room for improvement! It’s much better to start something and refine it later, rather than trying to make it perfect first time around.

You talk so openly about your own issues with your skin which ultimately promoted you to launch this brand, how do you want women to feel after your treatments and using your products?

When our clients embark on a treatment plan or start using a new skincare regime, we refer to it as a skincare journey, because it is just that – a journey. Most clients that come to us have had their skin concern (whether it’s acne, pigmentation scarring, eczema or something else) for years, and it’s not just going to disappear overnight, I know this first hand!

We want our clients to feel comfortable, welcomed and at ease when coming to us for their skin treatments and to have faith that we are there every step of the way on their journey.

Most importantly, we want them to feel empowered, empowered to take control of their skin, empowered that they have a safe-space to go to, empowered that we can relate to what they are going through and that they are not alone. I think unless you’ve suffered with a skin concern, many people don’t get how it makes you feel and how much it can affect you mentally as well as physically, but we do.

When clients use our products, we want them to feel amazingly pampered from head to toe!

The beauty industry is often changing, what do you expect will be the biggest trends in the next few years?

We see a huge number of people searching for alternative skincare treatments. I think there will be a huge increase in demand for non-surgical treatments in the next few years, especially for anti-ageing.

What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to become an entrepreneur?

There are so many things I could say here. Firstly, you have to have belief in yourself. There will be set backs, there will be rejection and you have to be the person that believes in your brand and yourself above all else.

Whichever industry you decide to go into as an entrepreneur, make sure it’s something you truly love doing and are passionate about – if your only driving force is money you’ll never succeed. Being an entrepreneur is rewarding but it can be extremely challenging at times. It’s through these times that you grow as an entrepreneur, as a person and as a brand. Your passion needs to be more powerful than your desire to quit when times get tough.

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

I’m a strong believer in everything happens for a reason. I think everything has worked out the way it was meant to be. As an entrepreneur, you are constantly learning, constantly growing and evolving as a person and a brand.

How would you describe your personal style?

In my spare time, my style is definitely laid-back chic. Leggings are my staple; I love that I can dress them up with a gorgeous top and jacket or dress them down with a comfy tee depending on where I’m going!

Talk us through an average day in your life…

Most days I work really long hours but when you love what you do it doesn’t feel like work!

I get up around 7am, have breakfast and answer e-mails and queries. I head to the salon around 9am and set up for the day ahead. Appointments start from 10am, and I’m normally working through to 9pm most days and I make an effort to fit in a HIIT workout during my lunch break.

My day is filled with a mixture of different treatments such as Chemical Peels, Microneedling, Microdermabrasion and Consultations. Not surprisingly, the majority of our clients come to us for help with their acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (post-acne scarring). Each appointment lasts around an hour and I’m constantly busy, even though the hours are long, the days really do fly by, no two days are the same and the variety of treatments always keeps it interesting!

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Social Media has been a huge help in promoting awareness of our brand. You definitely get out what you put in, creating accessible and interesting content can feel like a full-time job in itself! It’s like the modern day version of word of mouth, people don’t call their friends any more to tell them about an amazing treatment or product they’ve tried, they Instagram it and that has the potential to reach far more people. Social Media is an extremely powerful tool for any brand in the modern age.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

There are so many places on my bucket list, but at the top is Bali. It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go; it looks like paradise! I’d love to do a yoga or meditation retreat there and really switch off for a week (or two!).

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

If you quit now, you’ll end up right back where you first began.

And when you first began, you dreamt of being right where you are now.

Keep going.

What’s next for the business?

Kelly Rose Skincare & Aesthetics is definitely going through a growth phase. We were recently voted a Top 20 Salon in the UK and I was voted a Top 15 Entrepreneur of the year at the UK Hair and Beauty Awards. I’m also in the running for Skin Expert at the International Aesthetics Awards 2021.

By the end of 2021 I would like to have taken on a second salon and launch my own training academy for Skincare Therapists.

What does self-care mean to you?

For me, self-care is taking care of your overall well-being, and dedicating the time to doing things that make you feel happy, healthy and content. I always say that our skin is a reflection of within. If you’re not taking care of what’s on the inside, your skin won’t be able to take care of what’s on the outside.

Our mental health can have a huge effect on our skin, for example, when we are stressed we release cortisol which has been linked to excess oil production in our skin which leads to breakouts and acne. Skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriaris have been linked to depression, anxiety, social isolation and so much more. I think both go hand in hand so self-care should be something we try to factor in every day.

Where can people find out more?

You can find out more about all our incredible treatments and products via our website www.beautybykellyrose.co.uk, follow on Instagram @kellyroseskinclinic for all of our top skincare tips.

For treatments we are based in Kent, England but we also offer Virtual Consultations and our home-care skincare products are available across the UK.

Chloe Rann is the founder of Boxed Sized Hugs, the exact brand that we all need to bring a little bit of joy in to our lives. A University dropout, Chloe is the exact type of woman that we turn to here at House of Coco when we are looking for inspiration and ready to level up in life. From suffering with mental health to growing a wildly successful business from her bedroom, if Chloe Rann isn’t on your radar, you’re doing something wrong.

We spent some time with her to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching your brand Box Sized Hugs…

From packing boxes in my bedroom, to turning over 6 figures within the first few months, it has been one crazy journey.

I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason, at the right time in your life for you. After dropping out of university and not knowing my purpose or plan I was scared to go against societies expectations and conformities, you know, the journey where you get good grades, go to university, get a good job, then work for 50 years just trying to get by.

I hit a real low and struggled immensely with my mental health as I knew that I had bigger dreams and expectations for myself.

It took a long time, but I finally started accepting where I was and decided to start working on my intentions and my bigger ‘purpose’. After working on myself, learning who I was and who I wanted to be, Box Sized Hugs was born from my bedroom, I had an idea and an intention to make the world a slightly happier place during Covid 19. I don’t really believe in luck, but I feel as though when I launched this business something started aligning in my life and I quickly started to believe this would be something big.

What has been the biggest learning curve since launching the business?

My biggest learning curve throughout this journey, has been to trust my own boundaries and intuition. One of the hardest things that a lot of business owners may agree with me on, is when you’re in the process of building a team, it is really hard to differentiate between being a friend and being a boss. For me, I have always thought of myself as wanting to be there for everyone and being kind, understanding.

However, I quickly learnt that some employees could take advantage of my kindness or act a certain way. This lead to me having to quickly learn how to have difficult conversations and trust that as a CEO, I have the businesses and employee’s best intentions at heart, but I would not stand for certain things.

I would always advise any business owner that they need to do the internal work on finding out who they are and what they will settle for. Once you are really clear on who you want to be and your intentions, then everything can start aligning and becoming clearer for you.

You’re very open about your personal journey with mental health and you have partnered with Mind, why was this important to you?

Everyone, at some point in their life, will struggle with their mental health. Depression and anxiety are at an all time high and we need to be able to speak out to try and crush the stigma around feeling a certain way. As I have experienced both the empty hopelessness of depression and the constant buzz of anxiety, I feel I have a responsibility to share and connect with people, to show them that I am able to come out the other side with a bang and so can they. It is still a constant battle though, I wake up and have bad days but it is learning to accept that I am feeling a certain way and moving forward. To try and make the loving voice in my head so much louder than the negative.

There are multiple mental health charities that are currently doing amazing work, trying to raise awareness and be there for people when they don’t even have the words to describe how they feel. I believe these charities and even the NHS are one of the reasons I was able to get through a dark time in my life and they should be celebrated and supported due to their constant efforts. That is why donating a proportion of my profits to these charities will always be of utmost importance to me.

Who’s involved in the brand and what roles do they play?

I have quickly been able to build a great team due to the rapid growth of Box Sized Hugs. I am extremely grateful to my wonderful boyfriend who helped start this Box Sized Hugs journey with me and helped me create a dream that I didn’t even know was possible. When it comes to business and growth we really are a team and even now when I own 100% of shares in the business, he will still go above and beyond to help us grow.

My friends and family have always been there for me, offering support, comfort and excitement, to feel this journey with me.

Again, I would not be able to do what I do without my employees, they work so hard and to such a high quality that I can really trust them in creating a strong brand. Recently, we signed a huge deal with an online retailer where they ordered 20,000 boxes from us, and my employee’s have nearly finished packing the 20,000 to such a high standard.

What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to become an entrepreneur?

My advice would be, only do it if you can commit. If you can handle everything going wrong all at once and still being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. When something goes wrong, you cannot get upset, you must always have the mindset that there is a solution. You must constantly be working on yourself because I am a strong believer that being an entrepreneur is a mindset above anything else.

You have to be willing to grow, to fail, to make mistakes and to constantly get back up. It is hard, but it is so rewarding and exciting. There are honestly no ceilings with being an entrepreneur, the sky is the limit, you can grow to heights you never would have thought were possible.

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

I would say no, because I trust in the situations and my journey. I think everything has happened for a reason and the only reason I am who I am today is because of everything that has happened during this journey. It has all unfolded in the way it should have, to bring me to where I am now.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

Everyday is different! But I tend to get into work around 8, get everything planned out for the day, go down into the workshop and make sure my employees know what they are doing for today and targets we are aiming to hit. Then back up to the office to do all the work that goes into running a business, meetings with my accountant, brand building, forecasting, organizing pallet collections and deliveries, creating new ideas, working with other business owners and the general damage control as there will always be something going wrong!

One of the great things about having a team that you trust is I may be able to slip off for a cheeky afternoon tea as and when as well!

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

HUGE! Social media has been our biggest driving force when coming to sales. The majority of our sales come through Facebook/Google Ads, as well as large retailers contacting us through different social platforms. It is also a great way to connect with many of the brands we work with and to share inspiration and ideas.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

Like everyone I have been dreaming about travelling again after over a year in lockdown! My next number one destination is Barbados or Bali!

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

I still feel that sense of fear that exciting buzz in my chest that knows I am constantly taking risks with my career and my life. I like to remind myself daily that:

“If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re too small”

What’s next for the business?

Since signing a deal with a large online retailer, we are looking to push the supplier side of things as well as we continue to grow and build a reputable brand. I also have a few exciting projects and businesses launching this year, that I am very excited about!

What does self care mean to you?

Self-care to me, means looking after the internal you. Yes self-care may also mean looking after your skin, hair etc. But for me it means caring for your soul, feeding your inner world each day with positivity and connecting to the greater why.

Where can people find out more?

Visit our website www.boxsizedhugs.co.uk or follow us on socials @boxsizedhugs

During lockdown the thought of being able to travel again one day helped us to remain positive and get through it with our usual positive vibes. One brand that really helped us to stay inspired and delivered the escapism that we needed was Dreamers Who Travel, a travel inspired online shop that will give you more wanderlust than you can shake a stick at.

Caroline Towers founded the brand and it was an inevitable decision given her love for travel. A northern lass with a love for entrepreneurship and a desire to always learn new things, Caroline is one to watch. We spent some time with her to find out more…

Tell us the journey that lead you to launch Dreamers Who Travel…

I’ve always wanted to create something travel related as it’s been a huge passion in my life. I went on my first holiday when I was about 6 months old and I’ve loved travel ever since! I run a couple of other businesses already and in the past had a successful lifestyle blog which included travel elements. After a challenging time personally I decided there was no better time than “now” to create the travel related brand I’d dreamed of, although I had a lot in it felt silly to wait until the right time as that might never happen so I got to work! It began with creating social media accounts, followed by creating some products & launching the online shop. It was exciting to see it come to life and I am looking forward to seeing how Dreamers who Travel evolves in the future. I have been able to use my experience of running my own businesses for over 10 years to create Dreamers who Travel, although it is still a constant learning experience.

The travel industry was hit hard during the pandemic, how did you thrive during this time?

It has certainly been a challenging time as a small business owner with lots of ups and downs. As a brand we focused on the idea of continuing to dream about travel again and using the products we offer to help our customers to keep those dreams alive. I also used the time to work on building processes in the business, designing new products and ensuring that when travel comes back to being a priority for people that we will be ready!

Do you have plans to expand your product range in the future?

Yes, for me this is one of the most exciting parts of building the business! Recently we launched our first piece of jewellery which is a necklace and this was followed quickly by some candles. I’d love to add to both of these product collections with more candle scents and jewellery which connects with a love of travel. I am sure I will think of some other products too and of course, it’s always important to listen to what our customers want moving forward.

Outside of Dreamers Who Travel, you own other businesses. Can you tell us more about this and how you split your time?

It’s not always easy and running multiple businesses is not for everyone! I would describe myself as a multi-passionate business owner, I run The Content Edit which supports other business owners with content creation, alongside Voltage Sport which is another product business inspired by sport & fitness which I run with my boyfriend. I first started in business over 10 years ago and there has been lots of twists and turns, ups and downs but this has meant I’ve also learnt a lot about business. I’m really good at content creation and previously was a social media manager so I treat my own businesses like clients when it comes to creating content for marketing. I’ve also realised that I can’t do everything and so I have grown the teams for my businesses and I’m getting much better at outsourcing the things I’m not as good at or doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. I tend do so similar tasks for each business when I am in the “zone” for them.

What would you say sets you apart from other lifestyle brands?

I believe at Dreamers who Travel we understand that not everyone can or wants to travel 24/7 but that doesn’t stop them from dreaming and keeping that connection to travel alive. Travel helps us all create stories and build memories which I how we want to connect our customers. All of our products have original and unique designs and are specifically related to a love a travel. Plus we have a blog where we share travel tips, inspiration and tips – This is an element of the brand which we hope to grow moving forward. Our aim is to be a well rounded travel brand connecting women who have a love for wanderlust.

What has been the biggest challenge you have overcome as a business woman?

There have been many challenges within business, some are out of my control when working with suppliers but I think for me the biggest challenge has been my own mindset. I have had to overcome my own self-confidence and doubts that creep in when it comes to believing I can achieve all of the ideas I have. I have found the best way for me is to take action quickly, this stops overthinking, procrastinating and talking myself out of doing something! I don’t always do this, some days I feel like I am a professional procrastinator but it always feels good once the task is done.

What does self care mean to you?

For me, self care is doing things in your life which bring you joy. I have found it’s about switching off from the computer on an evening or enjoying time off on a weekend guilt free. I know that when I take a break from my businesses, I always come back with more energy, more creative ideas and I can’t wait to dive in. I love to find something good on the TV, go out for food and drinks and I also think travel can be a form of self care because it makes me feel good and enriches my life. After a few days of travel, especially when I’m at the beach I always make sure I have notebook in my beach bag as I usually feel inspired!

For any aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to launch a business, what advice would you offer?

My advice is always to go for it but know it won’t always be easy. However having a good go at a business and it not working the way you want is better than wondering “what if” for the rest of your life. It’s so important to know what you want to achieve with your business, to take action, have patience and keep it fun. To start with I recommend learning the different elements which you need to run a business then you can find what you enjoy and are good at, the other things you can outsource. Understanding what takes place within a business will help you be a better leader in the future.

Talk us through an average day in your life?

Every day is always different for me. I wake up early with my boyfriend as he gets up for work. I’m not an early bird naturally but it makes sense to wake up with him around 5.30 and get started with the day. Mornings usually begin with some journalling, reading and If I’m honest, I probably check Instagram more than I would recommend! I’ll make myself some breakfast, catch up on emails and any urgent tasks before doing a home workout. The last 12 months have been all about home workouts for me, which I’ve loved. Then I take a shower and get ready for the day. Some days I’ll meet my mum for lunch others I might plan out content and write blog posts. On a different day my tasks might be updating the website and liaising with other members of the team. Before I switch off for the day, I will go through orders from the day and of course, check my favourite app, Instagram again. Evenings usually involve watching a TV show (we love a good boxset) and an early night!

What’s your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

I love the quote “done is better than perfect”. It’s something I remind myself of all of the time when I need to take action.

Where can people find out more?

https://dreamerswhotravel.com

https://instagram.com/dreamerswhotravel

My personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/caroline.towers