We’re a Founding Co on Holly & Co

Have you seen us yet? We’re delighted to be one of the founding CO’s selected to join a brand new marketplace of small creative businesses called Holly & Co created by Holly Tucker MBE  - as retail on the high street is evolving post pandemic, competing with the big online sellers has made us all question our purpose, our pricing and left us asking is there a point, or future for us trying to make quality, handmade, creative products? Well with the support of small business champion Holly Tucker we have had our confidence bolstered - firstly, the act of being noticed and gathered into a bundle of likeminded businesses gives us validation to exist, and so rather than doubting ourselves, we now think we must be doing something right!

Holly & Co is abuzz with many businesses and their innovative, colourful, fresh and quirky things to delight the eye. Also look out for The Home of Small Businesses a whole house full of the Holly & Cos products, curated and art directed, with room tours, discussions and inspiration springing from there. A whole hub of nourishing content that can only grow and grow! Im currently hooked on Holly Tucker’s podcasts too Conversations of Inspiration- so much food for thought, especially as we all navigate similar life/family/work challenges.

Secondly Holly & Co is a whole digital marketplace structure that sits alongside our bricks and mortar shop - so rather than shifting all online, we can coexist as a vibrant highstreet shop, which is a shop, showroom, a workspace for us and a test ground for products - we really meet our customers and get feedback face to face, we can see what’s working right from the start. We can also continue to bring something to our community, Jim has just designed a logo for the local primary school PTA, he continues to contribute his graphic design skills to ongoing local RNLI fundraisers, and we’ve been running screenprinting workshops to all ages and stages in the area, sharing our creative know-how.

So in reflection I am starting to see the shape of our new normal, we are striving to make a living for our family, we try to keep our integrity intact making work we believe in (and are trained, experienced for) and which is ethically and responsibly sourced. We may not have it all sussed just yet - but it feels like the structures are now in place and from here we can begin to build!

We hope to be an inspiring shop to visit, and we are delighted to be reaching new audiences thanks to the Holly effect. I urge you, if you haven't already, to head over to the new website/treasure trove, especially if your thoughts are turning to gift buying. Positioned as the Liberty of small businesses - a browse around Holly & Co does not disappoint. I will certainly be shopping there myself knowing not only will I be finding apt and creative gifts, but i will be supporting independents and in turn their communities, just like us.