Times are a changing

As with all businesses things change and evolve, and Fiona & I have decided to change the way we operate, and will now run as to separate companies. We have found that the UK & French markets are very different, and whereas online shopping is quite evolved in the UK, in France it is still emerging, and the style of websites in France are quite different to the UK.
It's one of those things you live and learn, and in hindsight setting up to tackle two countries maybe wasn't such a great idea, but it was a catalyst that got Ochre & Ocre to the stage its at now.
Also tastes are quite different - so we can hopefully tailor our ranges more to our unique local cultures!
On the surface things won't be that different, On the admin side I will be relieved not to deal with 3 bank accounts! (One of which I can't even understand the statement!)
I no longer have to pretend I'm going to learn french - and I can go back to my pigeon Italian - which I find so much easier!
Sales are still really tough - but reading an article in the Sunday Times, about The English Grocer, a very smart deli set up by an ex Tesco senior exec - I can't help but feel relieved that at least I only own stock and have no staff or rent to contend with at the moment. Ok so the last 6 months I have basically been running to stand still - but I have learnt so much, much more than if I had stated at Next, I hope it will help me get through the next 6 months. He was open for 1 year before having to close, and the stock / rent investment incurred would have been much more substantial.
On the day to day running of Ochre & Ocre front we are off to Tewkesbury show this weekend - I hope the weather stays fine. As my first food show with Ochres it will be interesting to see if we get a better reaction? The May newsletter has gone out, with some great offers from the likes of EcoCentric, and savings on Good Food show tickets- I hope people actually find it an interesting read.
With all these changes the Business plan needs to be redone - but I hope it will help focus me on getting as much as I can out of the next year. I'd better get on with it!