Thursday, 24 October 2013

Daily Mail Feature

Today I am really proud to have an article in the Daily Mail about my greeting card company, it is an honest overview of how my business started. The Prince's Trust set up an interview with the newspaper and a photographer was sent to get some snaps of me and my products.



The photographer was fun to work with and took some lovely shots of me at work and he also had some inspired ideas of how to capture me with my products which he later sent me copies to share.

Working in my Studio.
Thank you to Sarah Harris, who conducted the interview and showed a real interest in where I was before the Prince's Trust supported me to where I am now. The article also highlights the Prince's Trust's 'Tomorrow's Store' now open in London which is doing really well, and you may have also noted the revelation that next year I will have some of my products debuting at selected Tesco stores (I'll tell you more on that news soon).

It's always a pleasure to talk about my business to others, and especially young entrepreneurs thinking of approaching the Trust for help. I can't emphasise enough that drive and passion are the most important elements to succeed. To this day I still have ups and downs in the business, striving to balance work and rest. My main advice when running your own business is to remember why you started, there are different reasons for everyone, but sometimes reflecting on all that you have achieved is the best medicine.

Surrounded by some of the products I have published over the years.


Good luck to you if you are starting out in business!

Fay x

Monday, 21 October 2013

Prince's Trust 'Tomorrow's Store'

Here are some quick photos from my visit to the new Prince's Trust 'Tomorrow's Store'.


After the success of many Prince's Trust pop-up shops the Trust decided to open their first store last month, and already I have heard the news that the store is doing really well, which is fantastic!

The store, full of designer products by Prince's Trust supported entrepreneurs is on Eldon Street, London just a short walk from Liverpool St or Moorgate tube station. I hope the store continues to do really well, as proceeds are going back into the charity to help run the programmes offered by the Trust. See here for more information about the Tomorrow campaign and the Prince's Trust.

Some of the cards you can purchase in store.
 
Here is my story, on how the Prince's Trust Business Enterprise programme helped me to launch my business four years ago after a long spell of unemployment.

The Henries 2013!

It's been so busy lately, I haven't even had the time to share the amazing industry awards night with you, The Henries 2013!


The ceremony took place at the Lancaster London hotel, Mum and I dressed up for the occasion where my Valentine's greeting card range 'Sweet Tooth' was nominated in the Best Spring Season's category. I was delighted to receive the news of my nomination back in August so the wait was really exciting.

Mum and I arriving at the Calypso themed awards. 
The cards in each category were displayed at the pre-dinner drinks.

Me standing by my 'Lava' card in the Best Spring range category (bottom middle)


Anna from 'Rosanna Rossi' and my Mum admiring the nominated ranges.
Hundreds of nominees and sponsors enjoyed the dinner and awards hosted by comedian Tom Stade.


Sadly, I didn't come away with a trophy, that said, I wasn't expecting to against the competition, however just to be nominated was a triumph for my cards and a real boost of recognition for my small publishing company out of the hundreds of designers and publishers and over 14000 cards entered.

My nominated card range 'Sweet Tooth'.


Celebrating with friends!


A huge congratulations to all of this year's winners, well deserved, and I hope to see you all again next year with something new from Fay's Studio.

All that remains now is to hand-finish all of the cards that have been ordered for Valentine's 2014!