Happy New Year

One of my resolutions for 2012 was to stop and reflect over the year that has passed before rushing headlong into this one. When you run your own business, have a busy day job and want to be there for family and friends there is always something more to be done and time is most definitely at a premium.

So, for my first blogpost, what could be more appropriate than to look back over the year that was? Not to mention, of course, publishing it around Chinese New Year. I think the timing feels just right.

The highlights

Our central London studio

For me, the ultimate achievement last year was opening our studio in central London. It had always been a dream of mine but not one I had ever really seriously entertained (as a cautious lawyer it was easier to think of the reasons not to do it). So, when we opened our doors in July it was a dream come true. We had been meeting clients for consultations on an ad hoc basis, so to finally have our own space to showcase our pieces – not to mention in a wonderful location just behind Selfridges – has been fantastic. It’s also been great to see Olivier meeting clients and getting great feedback from brides about how useful the whole process has been for them. There is obviously a lot more we want to do with the studio, such as offering refreshments and hosting special evenings for our clients with additional services and products. In fact, we are really looking forward to putting some of these plans into action this year.

The studio

Mentions in magazines, blogs and more…

I still remember when one of our ring cushions was first featured in a magazine in 2006 – I was so excited to see our name in print, I was smiling all week! To be honest, that excitement has not dissipated and we have been lucky over the years to have been featured in lots of lovely publications. Our press page showcases just some of these great features and the plan is to update it with some of our most recent cuttings and blogposts. We were particularly thrilled to see one of our pieces in Vogue Gioielli, and also to be featured by the number of wedding bloggers out there. Articles such as this one on English Wedding Blog (http://english-wedding.com/2011/04/affordable-bridal-accessories-from-a-business-thats-fit-for-a-princess have really made my year.

In fact, integrity – as those who know me will testify – is hugely important to me. We care a great deal about our customers and want to ensure they always get the best possible service from us. To be recognised in the wedding industry for such services really is the icing on the cake.

I was also thrilled to be asked to appear as an accessories expert on wedding planning website http://www.theweddingcommunity.com/56/Expert-Advice/Wedding-Jewellery-and-Accessories-Advice and I hope my monthly articles continue to help brides trying to perfect their wedding day look.

Twitter

How did we ever survive without Twitter? A simple concept, yet something so incredibly powerful. I have met so many wonderful people via Twitter that it would be impossible to name everyone – and this is without mentioning the people I haven’t met (yet!) but who I have spoken to virtually.

The studio launch

The studio launch

The studio launch

Our recent press day

The Secret Garden shoot

Through Twitter we were lucky enough to be involved in a fantastic styled shoot brought together by fabulous photographer Fiona Kelly. Rather than list all the individual companies involved in the shoot, I can point you in the direction of a wonderful write up on this wedding blog http://whimsicalwonderlandweddings.com/2011/07/an-ethereal-magical-grecian-secret-garden-bridal-shoot.html

We certainly hope to be involved in more collaborations later on in the year!

Our blog

The launch of this blog, together with the help of my good friend and wedding journalist Danielle Wilkins, was also a highlight. Our aim was to give something more to brides browsing our website, as well as showcase some of the wonderful suppliers we have met. It’s great to have Danielle on board and I know she can inspire and assist our brides along the way. Another reason we were keen to have her involved is to give the blog some impartiality – after all, I didn’t want it all to be about us. Hopefully it’s providing some useful inspiration, but if there is something you’d like to see more of, please let us know!

Our clients

So, why do we do what we do? Of course, it’s important for us to grow a successful business but it’s not just about that. We want to be able to offer beautiful finishing touches at affordable prices; to help brides look and feel amazing. We also want to give something back, which is why our charity ring cushion is so important to us… http://www.olivierlaudus.com/html/display_items.php?id=437&category=25&sub_cat=24&page_number=1&item_name=Sunflower

We are thrilled to receive so many thank you messages and cards from happy clients – we even received some wedding cake once! To be part of someone’s special day in this way is a privilege and, as competition within the accessories industry has increased so much over the years, we feel even more honoured when brides choose our products.

The not-so highlights

As with every business, there are challenges. The first package of products sent to Vogue in Milan for the shoot mentioned above was stolen in transit, in fact, we almost didn’t have time to get another box over before the shoot.

And while we have met so many amazing people in the wedding industry, there will always be a handful who aren’t quite so honest or pleasant to deal with. As someone who values integrity, I’ll admit that meeting people who come across as rude, as having an agenda, or even fake, is hard for me to cope with. However, there is a lesson to be learnt from it, I’m sure. I believe you should stay true to yourself, and that is what I intend to do.

Of course, there is also the old chestnut of not having enough time, and last year was no exception. Even now, I wish I had the magic formula to master my to-do list. There are things I could have done better, people I would have loved to have met, events that would have been wonderful to attend, exciting opportunities to follow up – but sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day.

On a more personal level, there was acute sadness for both Olivier and I. We started 2011 with the loss of my grandmother and it ended with the passing of Olivier’s grandmother in December. I don’t think I have ever experienced such a painful ache as I did for these special ladies. Both were so different, yet such fun characters who showed us the meaning of unconditional love.

There’s no denying 2011 was an incredibly busy year for us and, having written this, I realise the importance of looking back before moving forward. After all, if you don’t know where you have just come from, how do you know where it is you want to go?

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous 2012!

Sangeeta xx