S2E24: In Conversation with Claire Leigh

Bridging Gaps - The Business Podcast

Claire Leigh started her boutique business just over 4 years ago with a small credit card loan holding ‘gift parties’ in people’s houses. She now has an award winning shop in St.John’s Village, Woking turning over in excess of £200,000.

Claire shares her story of how she went from gift parties to having the shop in St. Johns Village, Woking.

Claire has a number of events in the lead up to Christmas - starting on 1st November with an evening to solve your styling dilemmas for the upcoming party season - with professional stylist, Emma Shoe

Show Notes

We talk about:

• How Claire's dream of having a shop became reality
• Her use of social media to create awareness
• Getting started with gift party nights
• Running her 'side hustle' alongside a corporate role and family
• The gradual transition to a shop
• What you do when you choose the wrong products
• Managing requests from local artisans to stock their products from Claire's side and the maker's side
• Getting the windows dressed
• Behaving with integrity towards your staff, whilst looking after your business and understanding your legal obligations to staff members
• Building a support network around you - to get advice - costs money but worth it, also on courses
• The role fitness and diet play in keeping her on an even keel
• Where her business is going and why it is called Two Ducks
• Her children's sense of ownership (and just how many children fit into the changing room at the same time!)

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