Keeping up appearances

I have a lot of people contact me regarding growing their business and getting their name out to the masses. I wish I had a magic answer that made the process easy, believe me. Unfortunately that is not the case. How have I grown BoBelle, and how am I still doing it? It is through sheer determination and hard work. The thing is, when you are growing a brand you become so engrossed in its being, that you forget the one thing that takes time - TRUST.

That little word is so overpowering and is more valuable than most entrepreneurs realise. Look at what you are wearing - you chose those clothes because you know the brand. What computer are you typing on? I bet you chose it because of its brand credentials. What mobile do you have? I bet your friends have either a BlackBerry or an iphone. Why? Branding and Trust. Do you know how long it took Apple to reach the stage that it is at? Over 20 years. Do you know that Primark had been trading for over 30 years before they came over to the UK and took the country by storm? Did you know that Cath Kidston, Emma Bridgewater and others started out the same way I did; on market stalls? In the words of the infamous Anya Hindmarch, " you have to hit through those brick walls and bash them down".

Growing BoBelle has been the hardest thing I have done - but the most invigorating. Trust really is everything. You have to believe in yourself and your brand in order for that trust to follow. Trust only comes in time...but it needs constant daily nurturing in this climate. It will be worth it though - when I think back to where I was 2 years ago, I smile as it is me who has made all of the changes and developments with my brand, and it makes me incredibly proud and determined to keep going (especially when you get great press, such as the below):

"Whatever your autumn uniform, know thyself, sort it - then add a satchel", Hannah Betts, The Telegraph, writes famously about her love of BoBelle London's new Brackenbury Satchel. Buy HERE.

BoBelle London Christmas and New Year update

Wishing all of our valued customers a wonderful New Year! We hope that 2011 brings you everything you wish for.

2010 has certainly been an intersting year; massive growth for BoBelle London including winning the Marie Claire Inspire and Mentor programme, being Red magazine's Top 20 Red Hot Women under 30, winning Management Today's Top 35 businesswomen under 35, launching new styles, gaining new stockists, sourcing a new logistics firm and more. We have achieved a massive amount and 2011 looks no different. We have our first international trade show, The Box at Pret a Porter, in Paris (22nd-26th January). I am super excited and trying desperately to get everything organised for our wonderful stand. After that we then have the largest London fashion trade show, Pure London.

People have asked me so many times about growing a business; what is 'success' down to? Is it the drive and ambition? Is it the product and service? Is it maintaining a strong cash flow? More...? Really, it is a mixture of all of the above. Today I heard on Radio 4 a lady who set up an entrepreneurs network. According to the interviewer, there has been a flurry of entrepreneurs in the UK, particularly in the rural countrysides. This may be true, but being an entrepreneur is more than just setting up a business. That is the easy part. Entrepreneurs do much more than that; they see it through; they passionately put their all into growing their baby for however long it takes. They take risks. They invest. They fall; they tumble; they pick themselves up.

Some of my most notable entreprenurs who offer me courage and perseverence when things are tough include Anya Hindmarch, Natalie Massenet, Sarah Curran, Richard Branson, Alan Sugar, just to name a few. All of them improvise, grow organically and constantly re-brand and grow. Being an entrepreneur is never static and certainly is hard work, but is the most invigorating experience ever.

I hope that you all love watching BoBelle London grow and if you have any feedback or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Here's to a fabulous 2011!

Claire x

Putting yourself out there....

Along my travels of growing and nurturing BoBelle, I have met an awful lot of budding entrepreneurs and aspiring fashion retailers. They generally have a common theme to their questions, mainly 'how do I make my business grow faster'. This, I believe, is a star question with not just one answer to it. My answer each time incorporates common sense with putting yourself out there.

What do I mean by 'putting yourself out there'? I mean take advantage of all opportunities and make things happen. However, don't expect it to be all plain sailing. When I first started I did the market stalls in the rain, wind and snow. I handed out leaflets. I posted flyers through peoples doors. I called up newspapers and bloggers, desperate for features for BoBelle. I participated in small shows. It was tough then and it is tough now. However, if you are passionate about your product/service, it is not such a chore. What is there in your field that you can grow or learn from? Do you have a mentor? Have you contacted your local Business Link? Do you attend seminars by like-minded businessmen and women? Are there any competitions you can enter?

A few months ago I read Marie Claire's 'Win Inspire and Mentor Programme'. With these sorts of things I always go by the mantra, 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'. With this in mind, I entered. Prior to that I put myself forward for the DediPower Digital Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Despite BoBelle London not being solely digital, I won the runner-up prize with Craig Martin, the CEO. From that I then was put forward for the Top 35 Women under 35 Award with Management Today, and indeed Red magazine's Top 20 Red Hot Women of 2010. I have met the most amazing people at these various events, and keep in contact with them. That is key. It is not always about 'what can they do for me' attitude, but rather, 'how can I nurture this relationship long term'.

The key to putting yourself out there is realising also to crawl before you can walk. Of course, you may dream of supplying your product globally to every large national and international retailer in the world. Don't lose sight of that dream, but don't ignore all of the small steps along the way. Build up your portfolio of contacts. Exhibit at small and large events and communicate with as many people as possible to tell them about your brand. This is vital - remember, people love to talk!!

It is not always easy growing a business. It can be a lonely time and is generally a 24/7 job. However, montior your growth and have small goals written down of what you want to achieve and when, this always helps and keeps you going when things get tough. Above all though, enjoy what you do and make sure this above all else shows when speaking to people - nothing is stronger than pure passion.

Claire Watt-Smith, Founder of BoBelle London
www.BoBelle.co.uk

Growing a business....

One of my guilty pleasures on a Sunday is to relax on the sofa, hot cup of tea in hand reading The Sunday Times. This Sunday we did exactly that. The 'Small Business' article in the Business section always interests me and this week was no exception. The title was 'People like us can put Britain back on its feet'. I am a positive person, well, I wouldn't be where I am today if I wasn't, and so this article really intrigued me. I do agree with what the government are doing at the moment; Britain is sat on a mountain of debt so gigantically massive that some drastic action is desperately needed. How can we get out of this recession? Inspire new entrepreneurs to set up their own empires? Feed people's imaginations to come the next Richard Branson, John Sainsbury, Philip Green or Mark Zuckerburg? I'd say that was a pretty good idea. The problem is how to inspire these people and where to do it. We have so many different organisations offering pretty much the same services, help and advice; business zone, business link and masses more. If you type in 'business advice' into Google you will find pages upon pages of 'advice'. It is quite literally, mind boggling. Talk about putting people off. Perseverance is needed and, back again, to that common sense.



I am a huge fan of common sense; there's nothing quite like common sense mixed in with gut-feelings. I think if you put a group of fellow entrepreneurs in the same room, those 2 traits would be hugely valuable assets to their success. Is it just solely those 2 elements though? No. Firstly, it depends on what 'success' is defined as. I have had a crazy past few months since giving up my part time job as a tutor for Business Studies and writing down a list of what I have achieved since going full time is actually very impressive. That, for me to admit, is something (being self-critical and always aspiring to more is embedded in me). The thing that people need to do is research people they admire and try to establish how they have 'succeeded'. Look at Richard Branson; how many failings has he had? Masses. Your best teacher is your last mistake, and he has certainly learned from his. I too have made mistakes along the way. You live and learn from them. One of my pieces of advice that I give to other entrepreneurs, whether they are established or wanting to be established, is to network. Keep your eyes and ears open at all times. Take advantage of every single opportunity there is. Believe in yourself and your product/service. Work your way up; don't even try to run before you can walk.



I have been speaking to a lot of fellow entrepreneurs recently, especially young female entrepreneurs, and they always ask 'how have I done it'? I go back to the common sense part, passion and determination. It has hardly been a walk in the park, and when I look back, I do actually wonder how I have got this far in such a short space of time, but always aspire for more. Work hard and we can only hope that the results pay off. Try your hardest and hope to succeed. The mantra 'all good things come to those who wait' works for me when my impatient side of my brain kicks in.



Right, off to do some more work now on BoBelle and see what the day brings....I will be speaking at London College of Fashion soon, as well as Royal Holloway University of London. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Claire

http://www.bobelle.co.uk/