About Me
Through my 12-year career within merchandising, I have experienced several different industries. From small independent start-ups to highly successful, market leading international brands. The main take away I have from all these roles has been – retail is detail. A cliché and huge clang of a term I first heard while studying Fashion Marketing at the University of Northampton. I chose that degree initially (honestly) from the glamour seen as Lauren Conrad started her fashion career in L.A at Teen Vogue on The Hills. My original plan was actually to become a vet; a dream that was short lived after taking all science A levels and realising that my strengths do not lie in Chemistry. Though maybe foolish to admit, watching The Hills opened my eyes to an opportunity – the business of retail. Like a lot of teenagers, I had spent most Saturday afternoons at the shopping centre, visiting all the stores and being immersed in the theatre of retail. At thirteen, I had no idea all the work that goes into getting a rough sketch of a design onto the shop floor to be sold.
I started investigating possible university options after my revelation that my career was not going to be in wellies on the farm. During this research, I fell upon the town of Northampton. During my three years at Northampton, I was introduced to some of the functions that high street retail companies and small brands utilise to make their business successful. Ultimately big or small, international or cottage, all of these businesses were run off spreadsheets. At my first position at Blacks, I had a fantastic line manager who really taught me the nuts and bolts of data and analysis. Everything I learned in those 18 months have been used and refined in all of my positions since. Retail is a cycle and much like history, always repeats itself. Using these patterns to understand your business and customers will ensure longevity and success in your marketplace; you just need some guidance and a spreadsheet.
The desire to be a vet was an instinctive decision derived from my love for animals. My parents tell me that my obsession for horses came from long walks with my grandfather around the country park adjacent to my childhood home. After dropping the yellow pages age seven on the dining table and pleading to finally start riding lessons, my fate was sealed. Brownie, a native bay pony standing around 13hh, was one of the first ponies I rode and though naughty, I was hooked. Of course, what followed was seven long years of pleading for my own horse. Luckily, with very supportive parents, I had continued with lessons and ‘Own a Pony’ days religiously. One summer holiday, after a week away with a friend, I was shown a photo of a bay cob with a white blaze. This is Leo, my first born. A 15hh bay cob gelding. Again, not an easy ride and definitely not the school horse I was used to, but after that first summer together, I knew we wouldn’t be parted. Nineteen years later he’s living his best retired years with me in Northampton.
Leo helped me to grow up through school, university and the start of my career and we took part in several local dressage and showing competitions together. Mainly though, we spent hours and hours in the same country park where it all started. After he was retired six years ago, I was content not riding for a few years while I started work. This break in horses was short lived, however. When I started my latest position combining equestrianism and retail together, a new horse was added to my stables. After an 18-month search, Piccolo, another 15hh gelding came along – this time skewbald and an ISH. After a few minutes riding, I knew he was right. Two years on Leo is tolerating him and we have been able to do lots of everything. As a very kind souled and patient traveller, he’s a dream to take out and will have a go at anything.
Since starting my career, I found that my favourite part of the job (after Excel) was creating and maintaining relationships. When the opportunity came about to start my own business, I was very keen to tie in my retail expertise with building relationships. I know first hand that starting and running a business can be very daunting, so the more help and support that you can rely on, the better. In a time where cash flow is tighter than ever and overheads are continually changing, the commitment to employ staff is not possible. The flexibility that comes from working with external resources can really help and be reassuring for business owners. No question is too small or too silly so feel free to drop me note or arrange a call to see how I can help.
My full career background can be seen on my LinkedIn profile