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!

A quiet week

Things seem very quiet this week, I'm not sure if it's because everyone has been waiting to see what the budget brings. The one bonus has been that I've caught up on all those odd jobs that I've been putting off for ages, and getting things ready for the forthcoming shows.
Ochre & Ocre are going to be at Tewkesbury Food & Drink festival next weekend, I'm hoping it is going to be busy. Having taken part in so many shows in the run up to Christmas, the thought of standing there bored all day is not worth bearing. The good thing about food shows is that there is usually something to watch, (Tewkesbury has a cookery theatre) and food and drink to sample! It should at least keep my long suffering husband entertained, as the problem with shows is its hard to do it all yourself, with carrying the stock, to grabbing a break.If nothing else we're guaranteed to come home with a local cheese!
Paul & I will be wearing our finest Ochre & Ocre organic aprons, and if we get bored may even end up putting on a puppet show with the finest Ochre & Ocre organic gauntlets!!
It will be the first time that our new range of napkin rings will be on sale, I hope they will get a good reaction. Jo sent me the first finished pics yesterday and they look stunning. Are new wooden napkin rings went on the site last week, but no sales yet.
Still looking for exciting new additions to the range, as ever waiting for responses from suppliers!
Just sussed out how to add pics to blog as well -so hope they will be more interesting!