To celebrate the shop reaching its 10th year in business, owner Polly Hall shares
10 things I’ve learned!
- Treat staff with respect and gratitude, they’ll enjoy the work and support you.
- Follow your instincts, don’t stray from what you believe. For me, this means knowing and understanding what customers’ need and not being swayed by what others want you to buy – instincts usually turn out to be right.
- This is business, but what’s the point of slogging away if it’s not fun and rewarding. Creating a space and not having anyone tell me how to do that, and supporting sustainable designers, keeps me motivated.
- Find a balance between life and work. Business owners can all too often reach burn out. Little breaks are energising.
- Don’t try to do everything yourself to try to save money. Recognise your limitations, concentrate on your skillset, and delegate other jobs.Â
- Keep things changing, stagnation is the enemy. Constantly moving stock around the shelves and window displays gives a shop vibrancy.
- Some days are just not going to be amazing. Accept it and it feels a lot better.
- Know your community, be part of it, draw strength from it, support it.
- The lockdowns taught me the obvious, you never what’s round the corner, and to feel grateful for having loyal customers.
- I’m a strong believer in holistic medicine, acupuncture, natural grooming products, vitamins (D especially), massages, chiropractic visits (retail involves moving many boxes!) and yoga, which I also instruct; it’s exercise and spiritual balance for the body and mind, I’d probably unravel without it.