Supporting Friends In Business

Little Welly Gifts

Last night I was lucky enough to be invited to the preview and launch of Little Welly Gifts .  A beautiful gift boutique situated in the picturesque market town of Usk, Monmouthshire.

My lovely friend Sarah who I have known since our teenage years, firstly helping out at the local riding school, mucking out and gossiping which then moved on to terrible boy and outfit choices into our teens and early twenties.  But after babies and marriage things change, our outlook, goals and aspirations change.  We mature, we evolve and we have different priorities.

The name 'Little Welly' came from personalised, illustrated welly pictures that Sarah drew herself and sold through social media channels.  These gathered a huge following so other illustrations and gifts were also added to her business model and again proved popular thus propelling her into looking for ways to expand the business even more so.  Then finding inspiration from other home and gift boutiques around the country, Sarah wanted to open a  store, her gift boutiques ethos to be that they stock as many products as they can from the UK and if possible manufactured here as well.  She is also constantly on the look out for companies that ethically source their materials.  Sarah, didn't want to stock mass produced items, she wants to support British businesses and manufacturing.  To know where items are sourced and knowing those paid to make them have been fairly treated is very important to her and her business.

Some of the beautiful products Little Welly Gifts stock include Wild Olive bath products.  These deliciously, pretty soaps and bath melts are handmade in the Peak District, using natural ingredients, paraben free and vegan friendly.  Carrie Elspeth handmade jewellery from South Wales.  Luxury soft toys by Ragtales, handmade baby shoes by Starchild and handmade wooden toys all made in Britain.  There are also unusual and quirky gifts including scarves, ornaments, mugs and much more. 

On the night, I purchased a beautiful pinafore skirt and blouse for Harriet by Pigeon Organics.  They use fairtrade cotton and manufacture in a small factory in Nottingham.  The set is beautiful and very well made.  The babygrows are delightful and I cannot wait to surprise my friends with these beautiful gifts when their babies are born.

They also offer a free embroidery service which can really make your gift stand out from the crowd.  A unique and totally personal item you can treasure forever.

I was self employed, I ran my own ladies boutique.  I know how scary it can be to leave a job and start from scratch.  If you're passionate and it's something you believe in and you have a good a solid business plan then I say definitely take the leap.  Being your own boss can be hard, if you're ill you can't just call in sick, you have to make the difficult decisions, profit, reputation, success; it's all on your shoulders.  But the rewards definitely out weigh the bad stuff.  One of the things I will never forget is those friends that celebrated my launch and continued to support me.  They shopped at my boutique, they shared my posts on social media and they told their friends and colleagues.  For that I am forever grateful.  So it is important for me to do the same for my friends.

By spending your money at local businesses you are helping the local economy.  You may create more jobs as the business grows in popularity, you get that personal service and most importantly of all, it's fun!

Who doesn't love shopping and finding unique items makes it even more enjoyable!

Happy shopping all!

Victoria
xx

KATIE'S HEART LAUNCH PARTY

I was lucky enough to be invited on Friday to the launch of Katie's Heart and had the pleasure of meeting Emma and Katie, two amazing, vivacious women.  Katie was diagnosed with cervical cancer and at just 36 years of age had a hysterectomy.  Sadly soon after Katie was then diagnosed with breast cancer.  Two years on after breast removal and chemotherapy, Katie is back on her feet and back to her old self.  The pair wanted to start a new chapter, prove that you can come out the other side, you can do whatever you want, and Katie's Heart was born.

If you're attending a festival this summer, be sure to head over to www.katiesheart.com Stocking glitter, rhinestones, hair braid ring kits and handmade customisable accessories, you definitely will be festival ready with these beauties.

The stylish hair kits include rings in your choice of colours, clear braiding bobbles, pliers and pretty charms to add some festival chic to your hair style.  All this comes in a sturdy printed cotton bag that's super cute.  At just £15 these make beautiful gifts.  Excellent quality and so unusual, I can see these flying out as the festival season starts.

Also £1 of every sale goes to 'Look Good Feel Better'.  A charity that helps women with cancer face it with confidence.  To find out more about this fantastic charity click here: www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk

Katie's Heart amazing glitter is guilt free.  It's cosmetic grade and biodegradable.  It has been developed in response to the increasing environmental pressure on the use of plastics in the cosmetic industry.  It is produced from a special biodegradable film which is derived from sustainable and environmentally sourced raw materials.  Just another reason I love this new company.

So if you're heading off to a festival this summer, keep an eye out for this gorgeous company.  Go over and say Hi! Get glittered and support a new local business that's also trying to give something back.

Victoria
xx