Marketing, PR and networking....

Good morning everyone,

I hope you are all well. I have been away for a week and it has been bliss!

Back now to the real world and growing my brand, BoBelle London.....as you know from all of the posts below, I am a budding entrepreneur and what is fundamental in any industry is publicising yourself/your brand. Whether you work for yourself, work for a multi-national or have an idea in the pipeline, you must first and foremost believe in yourself. If you don't, then why should anyone else? Confidence is certainly key here and you can only grow it through experience.

I have done a few presentations now to varying audiences, one of which was to over 1000, very intimidating....I am the keynote speaker on Thursday 7th July for the Marketing Conference with Start Up Britain and I am honoured to be part of such a fantastic campaign. I don't think there are many people in the world who really love public speaking, but just think of it as spreading your brand name! It is important to articulate well, get your message across to your audience succinctly and effectively and to project positive body language and confidence. Don't bore the audience with every last detail, but engage with them - have your overall message you wish to convey, and have bullet points to get you there.

Networking is another key word in today's marketing activities. Again, it is intimidating walking into a large room full of people chatting; you think everyone is staring at you, but they are not. They too have done it! My advice is to turn up early - that way when someone else comes in you have to speak with them - problem solved. Again, confidence is key here - something a lot of women tend to lack especially - but if you go to an event with one goal in mind, go and get it! Perhaps it is to appraoch the key speaker at the end - whatever it is, make sure you achieve it before you leave.

Attending such events is great for your confidence building, brand exposure and general marketing. The more you spread your brand name, the better! So have a look at events in your local area and see if you can find 2 to attend over the next 3 months - you'll reap the benefits in due time.

Right, off now to prepare for my presentation....

Speak soon!

Claire

The decline of women in business

A lot of people contact me for business advice and I always endeavour to help. I think that it is so important in today's society to promote women in business and to encourage a more entrepreneurial stance. It is very shocking that in the past 3 years, the number of women launching their own empire has not grown even 0.1%. Why? For a number of factors but namely: the high costs involved, the negative connotations attached to being a female entrepreneur, the difficulties in juggling the work/life balance, raising the finance, getting the publicity, lacking confidence and more. I have vowed this year to try and make a difference. So far I have done the following:

1. Become an Ambassador for UK Female Entrepreneurship - a fabulous charity that aims to inspire more women into enterprise. Have a look at their website - it is pretty in depth and certainly looks promising. There are only 50 Ambassadors in the coutry (you have to be asked) and there is a lot to do - including present/assist with 6 events a year. If you are a woman who is looking to set up her own business, get in touch!

2. Been nominated for Britain's Top Real Role Model - I am really chuffed with this as it would certainly help my profile to say the least! I think this idea is a fabulous one - enough of the Essex Girls/Big Brother/Britain's Next Top Model - let's bring about some real role models instead - those that are still working incredibly hard to build their name/brand. It's not all about celebrity status and copying who's wearing what!

3. Being seen in the Mail on Sunday and FMWF for my entrepreneurial flair - again, I was so thrilled to be featured in the newspaper and it certainly helps get BoBelle's name out there. I hope that my features really help inspire others to believe in themselves.

4. Being asked to speak at the Start Up Britain Marketing Conference - I'll keep you posted on how this goes....I hope well!! Fortunately I have done quite a few presentations now, but you still always have those nerves....if you would like to attend, it is free, visit the link above and register your details. There's no time like the present to kick start your action plan.

5. Finding more groups/individuals via Twitter/Facebook - in doing so I came across Inspirational Woman Magazine, and they have featured me (very pleased!) - click on the links to read more.

I will keep you updated on how things go - if you have any questions or comments, please do feel free to post! The recession has brought about a lot of sadness, uncertainty and difficulties; let's try to get back on track and encourage more independece, growth and entrepreneurial activity. Remember, support your local shops and labels as without them, we cannot develop as a nation.

Have a great week!

Best wishes,

Claire

Supporting charities

Yesterday I read an amazing piece about Ian Wace; a hedge fund tycoon who sadly lost his family in a horrific car accident 17 years ago and who is now on The Sunday Times Rich List; being worth a whopping £300 million. He is on the board for Ark, a charity who helps children be it in Eastern Eurpoe, Africa or England. Ark seems to be an amazing charity and last night seemingly they held their annual event where tickets are sold at £10,000 a pop. Steep, but Ark supporters are in a different league. I think what they are doing is amazing, and it has made me look at charities in a new way.

We all have charities that are close to our hearts. Tragedy hits in so many ways and we cannot stop supporting such worthy causes in the recession. A friend of mine has recently raised £11,000 for pancreatic cancer charities and her local hospice. £11,000!! How incredible is that. It just goes to show, tragedy strikes, but people club together to support.

Last night I attended the annual Bag Ladies event for BAAF; the British Association of Adoption and Fostering. It was amazing; the room was energised with women getting together for a fun event but with serious reasoning; there are thousands of children in the UK alone who need our support and help. It is events like these that really help boost profiles and raise awareness. I hope that BoBelle London will support more charitable events. Indeed, we endeavour to do one a year where we give money/sponsor/assist in other ways. I think it is important to do so not just for karma but also for general well-being.

I think Bag Ladies was a huge success - and of course, it was perfect for BoBelle! We donated a bag for their auction and were among names such as Anya Hindmarch, Smythson, Lulu Guiness; perfect for our brand. Hair expertise was being offered by Andrew Barton and Lisa Faulkner (who is lovely!) introduced the event. I chatted to her for a while and what a lovely lady she is:

There were yummy canapes, champagne and banter - a wonderful way to spend the evening. It is only through generous support that such events can take place - they are so difficult to organise and that is why I encourage events such as these. They don't have to be glamorous; simply giving a £2 to your local Big Issue seller helps. If the economic downturn has taught me anything, it's to encourage more enterprise but to also support and help one another.

I hope you have found this post of interest and please do let me know your thoughts.

Best wishes

Claire

Saving our high streets - needs YOU

Growing a brand is certainly the hardest task I have ventured on, not to mention starting mid-recession. Getting people to desire your product, to generate feedback, to put yourself out there, never to say 'no' to any opportunity....it is incredibly tough. Mix that in with soaring costs, the public's desire for 'fast, cheap fashion', difficulties in getting press and small retailers buying fewer products, we end up in the current mess that we find today.

Mary Portas is set to help our fledging high streets (about time someone did) and we at BoBelle London are 100% behind her. Our high streets are turning into generic, homogenous places where all we see are Starbucks', Costa's, Tesco's, Primark's, Dorothy Perkins's and such like. One word. BORING. What happened to individuality? What happened to fashion that wan't fast and disposable, yet was loving and long-lasting? Everything is so quick today that we are kicking ourselves and are going to bear the consequences. Small retailers cannot cope with the high rental costs, rates, employee costs and such vast amounts of red tape. They buy fewer bits of stock which then in turn hurts the wholesaler. This hurts the manufacturer at the bottom of the chain. We need YOUR support! How? Here are some tips:

1. Your daily habit might be getting a coffee or the newspaper. Instead of Costa and Sainsbury's, grab the paper from your local newsagent and a coffee from your local cafe. They will appreciate your support!

2. If it's your friend's birthday or you just fancy giving yourself a treat, why not look at small labels rather than the high street? There are some great finds out there that won't necessarily cost the Earth.

3. If you have a good experience with an online retailer/shop, tell your friends about it! Put a link up on your Facebook and tell people - it's how businesses grow and survive.

4. If you really are passionate, write to your favourite magazine and ask them to feature more smaller labels rather than just the giants - they need to know what you want afterall!

5. Going shopping with the girls? Ignore Westfield, Oxford Street and the obvious cheap shopping magnets, go for a wander and stumble across somewhere unique. Crouch End, Portland Square, Camden Passage, Westobourne Grove - all of these places and more have fab shops, yummy cafes and guess what, a SOUL! Be advised by shop assistants who know, make a difference to a retailer who appreciates it and keep our small pockets thriving.

It doesn't take much to have a great effect - just a little bit of effort here and there. The fact is, if we don't make the changes now, the results will be at our own perril.

We wish Mary Portas every success and hope that we really do see change on our high streets (and smaller streets) for the better.

ps, I have been nominated for Britain's Top Real Role Model and would love your support! Please vote for me by creating an account (takes 10 seconds) and then on the nominees section hover over my name, Claire Watt-Smith, and click 'vote'. Thank you!

Passion is everything

When growing BoBelle London, so many people ask me what my drive is - I say 'passion'. Don't ask me how to get it, you either have it or you don't. Nothing is too much for your business; be it learning to use new accounting packages, speaking in public, attending events where you know no one or doing the mundane day-to-day tasks. You get on and do it because you know you have to, you know it will ultimately make your business better. Putting yourself out there is really tough - you have to have serious doses of courage and self-belief. If you have a great product/service, then it should just come naturally.

I 100% whole-heartedly believe in BoBelle. The quality, service and styles are what make my brand work. It has taken time, don't get me wrong, and there is still a long way to go, but everyday something happens and it is a humbling feeling to know that it is because of me that things evolve. I am not too sure I would get that same feeling working for someone else.

I have some exciting developments in the pipeline; new ranges, new website, new tradeshow, new collection for Marks and Spencer Autograph....it is all happening and sometimes it's tough because I want it all NOW! However, I remember my mantra "you have to walk before you can run - and crawl before you can walk" - baby steps need to be taken before giant leaps. This doesn't stop me from pushing for more though!

I have some great events lined up and starting today I have a coffee catch up with a lovely journalist! I hope you are all having a lovely start to the week and do remember to keep loving what you are doing :-)

Claire x

London's calling....

Apologies for the late post this week - we have had such a busy one! We had a photoshoot last week of the new collection and thought you might like to take a peek at some of the new pieces coming very soon:







This is the 'Chiswick' above and is launching in the next week or so. I love this picture as Katie just looks stunning in the over-exposed light - Very Versace! The handbag is an absolute winner - it is already on the shelves in a few of our stockists and the Rioja Red (pictured above) is my personal fave. It is also available in Deep Purple and Black. Feel free to contact us if you would like further details in the interim of it being available online!




Above is another stunning photograph - loving that trilby! The most popular colour at BoBelle London is Deep Purple (it seriously is gorgeous...) it takes the dye so well and no other leather looks as vibrant as our eel skin leather does in purple. The Hemera is a great size and is just so classic. The pockets at the side are ideal for popping your mibile in (obviously in our mobile phone case!), keys, work pass etc and the front one I keep my Oyster card in to stop me faffing around looking for it whilst power-walking up the escalator! All in all, a great style, if I say it myself...

So, what to wear our accessories with? The above shows Katie in a beautiful maxi dress from a small London-based designer, black skinny belt, trilby and sky high wedges from my favourite UK shoe shop, Russell and Bromley (oh so comfy and satisfies my desire to spend more on my other fave, Mr Louboutin himself....) . The bags above from BoBelle, Chiswick and Hemera, are perfect for work and play - team with skinny black trousers, classic crisp white shirt, chunky heels and a chunky Marni necklace for work and then with a cute tea dress, pumps and a cute sun hat for brunch with friends.

The BoBelle London website is having a complete make-over and it should be ready in the next month or so....think more edginess and more of our fun personality shining through - we are very excited and I will keep you posted on all of the developments!

Have a great rest of the week and I will post again very soon :-)

Claire x

Marie Claire Inspire and mentor

Last week I attended the wonderful Inspire and Mentor events which Marie Claire hosted. Inspire and Mentor is the special campaign that Marie Claire magazine founded - the goal is to get some of the most influential women in the UK to offer their advice and experiences with lucky mentees. The campaign only launched in 2010, with a massive number of women entering to be mentored by 17 inspirational businesswomen. Myself, Claire Watt-Smith, was one of those lucky readers who won mentoring with one of the UK's finest businesswoman, Kate Bostock of Marks and Spencer.

Marie Claire have been the first to pioneer such a campaign, and what a campaign it is. I cannot express how amazing it is to have a mentor who gets you. To have a mentor who believes in you. To have a mentor who inspires you. To have a mentor who gives up their precious time and who is just as passionate about your brand. I cannot thank Marie Claire and Kate Bostock enough for this amazing opportunity.

Growing a brand is exceptionally hard. I get asked by so many women "how I do it" and whether they indeed can do it. My advice? Research, work and research more. There is no set formula to growing a brand, I wish there was! Instead, you have to roll with it - stick at it and let that passion shine through.

This week those at the fabulous Marie Claire arranged for three famous businesswomen to give up an hour of their time to answer Q&A's from editors and the audience. On Tuesday it was Jane Shepherdson - wow, what a lady. She knows her customers. She knows her industry. She knows her competition. She not only turned Topshop around, but is currently doing the same for Whistles; a huge challenge, but she sure is succeeding (how many times have you seen the pink pleated skirt this season?! A testament to her skills).

On Wednesday the lady in question was the beauty guru Liz Earle (FYI, the most fabulous skin I have ever seen. I am now a true convert). Liz was cool, composed and honest. What I loved asbout her was the fact that she has done exactly the same as what I am trying to do with BoBelle London - grow a brand from scratch. Her tips were priceless and it has given me extra motivation to carry on doing what I am doing and to keep growing organically. It was amazing to meet such wonderful women at this event in particular.

The last event of the week was Q&A's with Carole White. Carole was everything I thought she would be; cheeky, quirky yet tough. She was frank in her answers, but in a good way. She has had an amazing career and Premeier Models is her baby - she is not fazed by Naomi's suing....Carole offered an insight into the modelling world and explained it is not as glamorous or as "easy" (her words, never would I use the word "easy" in the same sentance as growing a business) as it looks.

All in all, Marie Claire's Inspire and Mentor events have been a huge success and I am thrilled that the campign is growing daily. There are so many creative women out there and it is reassuring to know that there is some guidance on offer.

Right, back to work for me now - I have to tell the rest of the country about BoBelle's collaboration with Marks and Spencer Autograph.

Enjoy the rest of the day!

Claire x