I wasn't expecting to get chance to update the blog before we moved - but there are only so many hours you can spend cramming things into boxes.
You will be pleased to read the BT saga has been resolved, after several hours on hold to call centres in India, and some very frustrating conversations.
We had a mixed reaction at last weeks Sudeley show - it was wonderful weather, although a bit airless inside the marquee. The first two days were fantastic - good footfall and good sales. The weekend was still good footfall, but it felt more like most people were out for a family day out than a shopping trip.
I met a lovely new company there called Lark Home - and succumbed to one of their gorgeous English leather satchels, (in aged silver). They are just setting up, and Sudeley was their first show, as well as launching their website the previous day. Keep an eye out for them, with good ethics, (sourcing from the UK), as well as good taste, (beautiful ceramics), I think we might be seeing more of them around.
Well I'd better get back to the boxes......
Thursday 29 April 2010
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Planning And Packing
After what seems like years but was really only 3 months - our house sale has finally gone through! This means that for the first time I need to not only move house but move a business as well.
The house move doesn't really phase me - I have done it several times, this will be our 6th move in 7 years, so I admit sorting out packing / change of address seems quite straightforward.
The more difficult challenge will be trying to keep the business running with as few interruptions as possible.
The first challenge as always is BT - I have to admit that I don't lose my temper very often, but I do find dealing with BT call centres very frustrating. With an online business the phone line is probably the bit I am most concerned about - followed by the internet connection. Worrying about curtains / furniture and post pales into insignificance in comparison.
Minimising the amount of disruption to the Bulldog is probably number 3 on the list. As she has got older, the sight of any bags / boxes and luggage turn her into a quivering jelly. Setting up for shows sends the poor dog into deep trauma. She will be shipped off to my parents again to have a little holiday on the farm - although now she is older she has become more demanding, so she does tend to outstay her welcome more quickly these days!
Once the dog is sorted then the more straightforward bits like office stationery / website can be dealt with, as well as shifting all the stock
Moving will also bring some exciting new additions to the Ochre And Ocre range that we have been holding off on, until we move.
So don't be surprised if you don't see many blog updates over the next few weeks - but I hope to be able to back online and incommunicado by the second week in May, (BT willing!).
The house move doesn't really phase me - I have done it several times, this will be our 6th move in 7 years, so I admit sorting out packing / change of address seems quite straightforward.
The more difficult challenge will be trying to keep the business running with as few interruptions as possible.
The first challenge as always is BT - I have to admit that I don't lose my temper very often, but I do find dealing with BT call centres very frustrating. With an online business the phone line is probably the bit I am most concerned about - followed by the internet connection. Worrying about curtains / furniture and post pales into insignificance in comparison.
Minimising the amount of disruption to the Bulldog is probably number 3 on the list. As she has got older, the sight of any bags / boxes and luggage turn her into a quivering jelly. Setting up for shows sends the poor dog into deep trauma. She will be shipped off to my parents again to have a little holiday on the farm - although now she is older she has become more demanding, so she does tend to outstay her welcome more quickly these days!
Once the dog is sorted then the more straightforward bits like office stationery / website can be dealt with, as well as shifting all the stock
Moving will also bring some exciting new additions to the Ochre And Ocre range that we have been holding off on, until we move.
So don't be surprised if you don't see many blog updates over the next few weeks - but I hope to be able to back online and incommunicado by the second week in May, (BT willing!).
Friday 9 April 2010
As routine as it gets!
The strange thing about this self employed lark is that there is no set routine. Where I have worked in big corporations before, set things happen on set days; meetings about the figures, meetings about ranges, meetings about meetings. Working on your own there is none of that, but it still never ceases to amaze me how bizarre my week can be sometimes.
Today I had my 5 minutes of fame on the local radio station. It was a bit of a cheesy daily feature about local businesses, who get a song played of their choice if they let someone go home early. There in lies the problem; I work on my own, from home, so I guess I might just log off a bit earlier tonight instead!
On the plus side the DJ was great and mentioned Ochre And Ocre loads, so you never know what it might bring.
Gert as usual was trying to get involved by snoring very loudly from her box - I woke her up just before my allotted time and tried to move her from my office onto the sofa. But I should have listed to that old adage "let sleeping dogs lie", because snoring is nothing compared to barking, as she decided she wanted to be let out several times in a row, just before I went "live".
I am off to Marlborough tomorrow for a show. It is a fund raiser for Cancer Research, a cause I am quite passionate about, but apparently we are in for a few days of sun shine, so I hope the local Marlbourians turn up, and don't have a garden day.
Today I had my 5 minutes of fame on the local radio station. It was a bit of a cheesy daily feature about local businesses, who get a song played of their choice if they let someone go home early. There in lies the problem; I work on my own, from home, so I guess I might just log off a bit earlier tonight instead!
On the plus side the DJ was great and mentioned Ochre And Ocre loads, so you never know what it might bring.
Gert as usual was trying to get involved by snoring very loudly from her box - I woke her up just before my allotted time and tried to move her from my office onto the sofa. But I should have listed to that old adage "let sleeping dogs lie", because snoring is nothing compared to barking, as she decided she wanted to be let out several times in a row, just before I went "live".
I am off to Marlborough tomorrow for a show. It is a fund raiser for Cancer Research, a cause I am quite passionate about, but apparently we are in for a few days of sun shine, so I hope the local Marlbourians turn up, and don't have a garden day.
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