What I Have Learnt As A Business Owner? (2 Years In)

When I setup Maude & Noah I didn’t expect to have suffered some blows but also hit some highs.

Blows

I mentioned blows and I know a lot of people and a lot of companies have suffered with the recent blows of COVID but it started at the beginning and I don’t think I have ever mentioned this before.

I used to sell personalised jewellery, that’s how Maude & Noah started, I designed the jewellery, found my manufacturer as well as a company who could engrave my pieces with my signature font. I felt like everything was going so well until I got an email saying the engravers were going under, I searched for other companies who could engrave but they were charging more than the piece of jewellery themselves so I looked at getting myself the engraving machine but it cost a lot.

Then there was or is COVID, I had just got back on track, selling and manufacturing new candles and then COVID hit and people didn’t purchase any candles, I understand people not purchasing them, the unstable environment: will people have jobs, where will finances come from, of course I understand people not purchasing but it did really upset me. Plus I had a few businesses who were going to stock my candles but because of the second lockdown they can’t commit which I fully understand but it is heartbreaking.

Highs

There are so many highs so that’s what I have got to remember.

Social media posts from customers has really uplifted my emotions, I love seeing them and how they style them in their houses, that may sound really sad but just looking into other people’s houses is really nice, I love it. I really do love it.

Another high is people repurchasing, I have had so many repurchases from people but not only that, they will repurchase the candle or wax tarts that they previously ordered but also they add another scent to it.

Making friends with other businesses in Harrogate, when it was the first lockdown I decided to contact a few local businesses to me (Harrogate) to do a big giveaway and it was a big success. I have made a few friends within the Harrogate business space. I suggest if we ever go into another lockdown to get involved with the local business scene, you will make friends who are in the same situation as yourself, you grow your social media plus giving someone a gift is lovely.