Let’s Talk Shop

Let's Talk Shop with Maggie from Alligator Pear

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Maggie who’s the owner and founder of Alligator Pear, a really large award-winning gift shop in Tadworth, Surrey.
 
We talk about the challenges of sourcing products this year when trade shows have been cancelled and how Maggie might find new things to fill her store with.
 
Maggie shares what she needs to know from a potential brand when they pitch to her and how to get in touch to introduce your products. We also chat about what works for her store, what she’s looking for, and what changes she’s had to put in place due to Covid. If you are going to submit products, I suggest that you listen to the whole episode and then write a personal and informative pitch.
 
If you’re not quite sure how to find new retailers to reach out to and pitch to and how to grow your wholesale this year, then have a look at my new course, Let’s Talk Sales, that will be taking place in September and book your ticket today.
https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/product-page/Lets-talk-sales
 
If you enjoyed this episode, please share where you are tuning in and tag me over on Instagram @small_business_collaborative and if you can take a moment to rate and review Let’s Talk Shop over on itunes/apple podcast I will be forever grateful. Whilst you’re there, subscribe too so you don’t miss any future episodes.
 
Links mentioned in the episode
 
The GA Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2611989742457431
The Bottled Baking Co (Greg): https://bottledbaking.co.uk/
Creoate: https://www.creoate.com/
Stand Twelve: https://standtwelve.com/
 
 
Connect with Maggie and Alligator Pear
https://www.instagram.com/alligatorpearstore/
https://www.alligatorpear.co.uk/
 
Visit: 15 High Street, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5QU
To submit your products for consideration, please email Maggie at: sales@alligatorpear.co.uk
 
If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.
 
Connect with me
Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/
 
Apply to be a guest on season 4 of Let’s Talk Shop
https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX
 
 
 

Let's Talk Shop - Trade shows are now cancelled so what do we do?

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop I am talking about trade shows, or rather the lack of them this year now that it’s been announced they won’t be going ahead this September.
 
I share a few ideas of what you can do and what will be important this year and I also share about my next course that will help you stay on track of your sales this year.
 
It’s called Let’s Talk Sales and you can find all the details below:
https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/product-page/Lets-talk-sales
 
If you enjoyed this episode, please share where you are tuning in and tag me over on Instagram @small_business_collaborative and if you can take a moment to rate and review Let’s Talk Shop over on itunes/apple podcast I will be forever grateful. Whilst you’re there, subscribe too so you don’t miss any future episodes.
 
If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no-obligation discovery call.
 
Connect with me
Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/
 
Apply to be a guest on season 4 of Let’s Talk Shop
https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

Let's Talk Shop with David from Lift Store

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with David who’s the owner and founder of Lift Store in Southwold in Suffolk. Lift is a lifestyle store that has been going for around 4 years now and during the lockdown, David moved to a new location and the store is now 3 times the size of the original shop.
 
We talk all about retail now, how the lockdown have been, what’s important when selecting new suppliers to work with, how David sources and discovers new products and the lack of diversity in our industry.
 
If you enjoyed this episode, please share where you are tuning in and tag me over on Instagram @small_business_collaborative and if you can take a moment to rate and review Let’s Talk Shop over on itunes/apple podcast I will be forever grateful. Whilst you’re there, subscribe too so you don’t miss any future episodes.
 
Links mentioned in the episode
My beautiful Caravan https://www.instagram.com/mybeautifulcaravan/
Homebake https://www.instagram.com/homebakeshop/
Pencil me in https://www.instagram.com/pencilmeinshop/
Moxon https://www.instagram.com/moxonlondon/
Lottie Hall https://www.instagram.com/lottiehallstudio/
Rap Cards https://www.instagram.com/wrap_magazine/
 
Connect with David
Website:  https://www.lift-store.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftstoresuffolk/
Visit the brick and mortar shop: 1 Drayman Square, Southwold IP18 6GB
 
 
Connect with me
Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/
 
Apply to be a guest on season 4 of Let’s Talk Shop
https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX
 

Let's Talk Shop with Tasha from Flavour Like Fancy

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop I speak with Tasha who owns independent gift shop Flavour Like Fancy in Leeds. We talk all about retailing during the lockdown, what’s been selling really well, how it’s been now when Tasha has opened up her shop again, how she works with the brands and makers she stocks, diversity, trade shows and so much more.
 
I really enjoyed speaking with Tasha and I hope you enjoy this episode too. If you do, please share where you are tuning in and tag me over on Instagram @small_business_collaborative and if you can take a moment to rate and review Let’s Talk Shop over on itunes/apple podcast I will be forever grateful. Whilst you’re there, subscribe too so you don’t miss any future episodes.
 
Connect with Tasha
Website: https://flavourlikefancy.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flavourlikefancy/
Visit the brick and mortar shop: 8 Stainbeck Avenue, Meanwood, Leeds, LS7 2PA
 
If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no-obligation discovery call.
 
Connect with me
Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/
 
Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop
https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX
 
 
 

Let's Talk Shop with Vanessa from High Fifteen

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Vanessa Belleau from High Fifteen. Vanessa is Business Strategist, Executive Coach and she also coaches in Inclusion and Diversity. I invited Vanessa to the podcast to discuss how we as small business owners can be more diverse and inclusive in our businesses and ask all those questions that I’ve been wondering about lately.
 
I really love Vanessa’s energy and positivity and I felt so inspired after our chat and I hope you do too. I think it’s very important to recognise that we all have a role to play and we can all make a difference. As Vanessa said, as small business owners we are visionaries, we already started and built something so let’s continue and do even more.
 
Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.
 
Connect with Vanessa
Website: https://www.highfifteen.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highfifteen_
 
If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.
 
Connect with me
Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/
 
Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop
https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

Let's Talk Shop with Lucy from Acorn and Pip

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Lucy who owns Acorn and Pip. We talk about how valuable it was for Lucy to start her business at Altrincham Market and how it’s grown into the shop and café with a play area it is today.
 
Lucy really tries to offer as a diverse range that she can, and I came across her lovely business after it was recommended to me by Chantelle from The Wild and the Tame (link below). We were talking about the lack of diversity in children’s toys, in-particular when it comes to dolls and Chantelle mentioned Acorn and Pip and I reached out and invited Lucy onto the podcast.
 
We chat all about Covid19, what’s been selling well during the lockdown, what’s happening in retail this year and how Lucy source her range of products.
 
It was really lovely to chat and I hope that more independent shops will actively source more diverse going forward.
Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.
 
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Wild and the Tame: https://thewildandthetame.co.uk/
Kitpas: https://www.instagram.com/kitpas.europe
Maileg: https://www.maileg.co.uk/
Miniland: https://www.minilandgroup.com/en/educational/dolls-figures/
 
Connect with Lucy
Website: https://acornandpip.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acornandpip/
 
If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.
 
Connect with me
Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/
 
Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop
https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

Let's Talk Shop with Ebi and Emmanuel from Our Lovely Goods

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Ebi and Emmanuel from Our Lovely Goods. Ebi and Emmanuel are a wife and husband team and they started their business around a year ago. Our lovely goods is a wellbeing company selling natural candles and skincare products as well as imported homewares from Emmanuel’s home country, Nigeria.
 
On the podcast, we talk about how they have built their business, what challenges they have faced along the way, how they started to wholesale and how the business has been during Covid19. We also talk about diversity in our industry, the challenges of being a black-owned business and how we hope the industry will become more diverse now that it’s on everyone’s mind.
 
I would love to hear your thoughts on what you think will happen when shops open up again? What will get you to visit a store in real life? And/or if you plan to continue shopping online more this year?
 
Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.
 
Links mentioned in this episode:
Space at 17: https://www.instagram.com/spaceatseventeen/?hl=en
Meraki Concept Studio: https://www.instagram.com/merakiconceptstudio/?hl=en
 
Connect with Ebi and Emmanuel
Website: https://ourlovelygoods.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourlovelygoods
 
If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.
 
Connect with me
Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/
 
Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop
https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX
 
 

Let's Talk Shop with Georgina from Afro Touch Design

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop I speak with Georgina, owner and founder of Afro Touch Design.
Georgina makes beautiful hand finished cards using West African wax fabric and we talk about Covid-19, business in general, wholesale and what challenges Georgina have to meet being a black-owned business as well as selling a diverse product. We talk about why there are not enough cards featuring black people on them in all sort of shops, why does Georgina as a black woman have to go to actively seek out a card in a special shop or online instead of popping into her local gift shop to get an anniversary card for her husband?
 
This week I learned a lot about myself and about being anti-racist instead of being non-racist and I will continue to learn about this. Going forward I will actively invite more diverse guests and not shy away from having open conversations about biases and inequality in our industry.
 
I would love to hear your thoughts on what you think will happen when shops open up again? What will get you to visit a store in real life? And/or if you plan to continue shopping online more this year?
 
Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.
 
Links mentioned in this episode:
Diverse Gifts: https://diverse-gifts.myshopify.com/
Bonkers: https://www.bonkers.uk.com/
Moon Lane Books: https://www.moonlaneink.co.uk/
 
Connect with Georgina
Website: https://afrotouch.design/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afrotouchdesign/
 
If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.
 
Connect with me
Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/
 
Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop
https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

Let's Talk Shop with Zoe from W.A Green

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Zoe, owner and founder of W.A. Green. A wonderful homeware boutique in Shoreditch in London. I love W.A. Greens mantra, “Dopamine for the home” and I never felt it was as needed as it is right now.
 
We talk all about how the business is doing right now, how jigsaws and pretty wrapping paper played a big part in keeping the orders coming in during this time, what brand owners and suppliers can do to help and how retail might look like when shops are allowed to open again after this lengthy period of lockdown due to Covid-19.
 
I would love to hear your thoughts on what you think will happen when shops open up again? What will get you to visit a store in real life? And/or if you plan to continue shopping online more this year?
 
Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.
 
Links mentioned in this episode:
Cire Trudon: https://trudon.com/eu_en/
Chroma Yoga: https://www.chromayoga.co.uk/
The Completist: https://the-completist.com/
Slowdown studios: https://slowdownstudio.com/
Trouva: https://www.trouva.com/
 
Connect with Zoe
Website: https://wagreen.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/w.a.greenlondon/
 
If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.
 
Connect with me
Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/
 
Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop
https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX

Let's Talk Shop with Rosie from PR Dispatch and LFA

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Rosie Davies Smith who’s the founder of PR Dispatch and LFA PR Agency. We talk about pivoting your business and adapting to the current climate. Why now is a great time for small businesses to start doing PR since the press has a lot of time for small businesses at the moment, how to get started, tips for working with influencers and much more.
 
I really admire how Rosie does business and how she is building PR Dispatch up and how it’s helping our small business community.
 
Lastly, if you enjoy this podcast and the content I create, in particular right now please share where you are tuning in so others can discover the podcast too and rate and review it over on itunes/apple podcast.
 
Links mentioned in this episode:
Yeshen https://www.instagram.com/yeshen.uk/
Crafty Fox https://www.instagram.com/craftyfoxmarket/
Shrimps House https://www.instagram.com/shrimpshouse/
Dinky Human https://www.instagram.com/dinki_human/
Etna Loves https://www.instagram.com/ettaloves/
KanKan https://www.instagram.com/kankan_london/
 
Connect with Rosie
Website: https://prdispatch.com/
Website: https://www.lfa.agency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prdispatch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfa_agency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosie_daviessmith/
 
If you want help with your wholesale please get in touch either on my website, by email or Instagram and book a free no obligation discovery call.
 
Connect with me
Website: https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/
 
Apply to be a guest on season 3 of Let’s Talk Shop
https://thereseoertenblad.typeform.com/to/ZPiHVX