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A few minutes with… Melanie Clarihew – Mackenzie & George

I’ve been an admirer of Mackenzie & George for a very long time – not only the products but the
Mackenzie & Georgegorgeous branding too. And you know what else? The people behind the brand. Here I chat to Melanie, one part of Mackenzie & George, and chat about her business.

Tell us about you and your background

Mackenzie & George is run by my husband Chris and I.  Our story starts all the way back to 1974! Chris’ father, Bill, had a belt factory for over 40 years, producing ladies couture belts for department stores and brands like Harrods, John Lewis, Austin Reed, Jaeger and many more. In 2008, Chris had recently finished university, and with jobs few and far between in that economic climate, he started selling some of his fathers belts at Covent Garden Apple Market. Long story short – the selling really sparked an interest in the making, and so Chris started learning how to make the belts (although he has been in the factory on school holidays since a toddler, so knew some of the basics). I had recently lost my job around the same time (I’m from a music/marketing/events background), and started helping Chris, and together we looked at working with different natural and long wearing materials and incorporating traditional saddlery techniques we taught ourselves via YouTube! Eventually we started to do a few craft shows for his parents, with our own mini collection on the corner of the stand, until we took the plunge and set up our own business in 2012 – Burghley Horse Trials being our first ever Chris & Melanie - Mackenzie & Georgeevent. 

What made you want to start a business?

A combination of a terrible job market and seeing an opportunity that really bought the best of our strengths together.  Although most people would think we’re mad living and working together, we get to share all the triumphs and tribulations, and see each other at our very best (and worse!). 

How is Mackenzie & George different?

Attention to detail. Each process is thought out to the tiniest detail. For example, you won’t find a rough edge on any single part of our products – each and every sharp corner and edge is shaved off and hand buffed before being inked and sealed to give the smoothest – and most comfortable – feel and look.  It’s details often overlooked, but makes all the difference to final finish of a quality product.

What makes Mackenzie & George products special?

We pride ourselves on exemplary materials (vegetable and oak bark tanned saddle hide, solid brass hand polished buckles) that we worked hard on developing with small family run manufacturers that Chris has known for pretty much his whole life!  In addition, we take great care to ensure our products are practical, wearable and will last for many, many years (we even guarantee it!). 

If you had to sum up your business in five words, what would they be?

Honest Timeless Quality Handmade (with) Love  (I may have cheated!)

Do you have a motto or ethos?

Wearability that lasts. It’s what we consider when designing and testing designs and improving our techniques

If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring business owner, what would it be?

Get up early – it’s something we’re only learning now really; it’s amazing how much more you can get done with an extra couple of hours in the morning (an 8 week old baby is helping us keep to this!).

One thing that helps you run your business more effectively 

Shopify is amazing. We use it for our website and POS, and it is great having everything in one place, plus all the apps that integrate make it a really powerful tool.

Best thing about running a business?

Something different every day, and fully utilising every bit of grey matter! In one day, our roles can consist of fashion or graphic design, product and machine engineering, (sometimes quite complex) maths, copy writing, craftsmanship, accounting, sales, website design/backend, marketing and even painting/building stand props/workshops!

Worst thing about running a business?

Impossible to turn off. And no one to palm off jobs too. In our first few years we regularly worked 12- 18 hour days, and have gone to shows having been up (quite literally) all night finishing orders! Melanie - Mackenzie & George We’re a bit more on top of demand now, but desperately need an apprentice in the workshop.

One thing we might not know about you

At school, I was voted most likely to run my own business, but also most likely to end up in prison.  I’ve never quite worked out what the shared attribute I have that makes both those things likely, but glad I ended up doing the former! 

Where can people follow you or Mackenzie & George online 

Mackenzieandgeorge.com

http://www.instagram.com/mackenzieandgeorge

http://www.facebook.com/mackenzieandgeorge

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A few minutes with… Michelle Charman – Forelock Books

Forelock BooksMichelle Charman in the lady behind the brand Forelock Books. Forelock Books publish a range of books for children, but the beauty is that all members of the family can enjoy the stories – they’re true family books! With some fabulous authors and great stories, Forelock Books is a really great brand to look into. And Michelle is completely lovely too. Here’s a bit more about her.

Tell us about you and your background. What made you want to start a business?

I grew up in Snowdonia during the 70’s/80’s. Everyone had a pony, or a bike. I had a bike for quite some time, until I’d driven my parents mad by ‘trotting’ everywhere and answering questions in ‘neighs and whinnies’. I never really learnt to ride, I was just told to hang on by my granddad, who used to be a jockey.

By the time I was about nine, my best friend and I were spending all our spare time riding over the Welsh mountains and along the beaches, dreaming up new adventures to go on, pretending to be highwaymen, princesses, cowgirls, show-jumpers and other equestrians.

My imagination, confidence and sense of adventure grew with my love of books, I was always being told off at school for ‘daydreaming’, wishing I was out riding.

Michelle CharmanI moved to London in 1990 to study Business Studies and Print Management and eventually got my first job with Hamlyn Books. I worked for various publishers over the next 20yrs including, Octopus, Dorling Kindersley, Penguin Books but by 2013 publishing had changed so much, many of the publishing brands we all know and love had merged together, publishing was big business and great stories were passed over for celebrity authors and fashionable topics.

I’ve always encouraged ways of getting more people reading, but for me, nothing beats a great story, whatever your age.

Realising that there were very few pony stories that would appeal to and inspire today’s young riders, being published in the UK. I decided to set up Forelock Books.

How is your business different? What makes your products special?

Forelock BooksPublishers at Penguin Random House felt that equestrian fiction aimed at young riders was too niche, they wanted to appeal to a much broader market of children and young adults worldwide, whether they rode or not. I felt that there were enough riders and pony enthusiasts to warrant a brand of modern equestrian family fiction; Great stories, by the best authors, for the whole family.

I wanted to create a distinctive brand, I love physical books and still have my favourite hardback books I read as a child, some have inscriptions in them from family and friends who gave them to me as gifts. So many things these days are meant to be short lived, upgraded, thrown away, replaced, I wanted to create things that could be treasured.

If you had to sum up your business in a few words, what would they be?

Creator of Equestrian Dreams: Inspirational, Adventurous, Traditional, Reliable, Quality.

Do you have a motto or ethos?

Creating dreams for others to follow.

If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring business owner, what would it be?

Go with your gut, if you think too hard, you may never take that first step.

One thing that helps you run your business more effectively

Photoshop. It’s not cheap and I’m no expert, but it’s great for putting together interesting social media posts, memes and creating impactful images.

Best thing about running a business?

Good feedback. Just hearing that someone loved reading a story that I believed in makes all the hard work, expense and disappointment worthwhile.

Worst thing about running a business?

The quiet periods, where no money is coming in and you’re just not finding your market, or worse you’re finding your market, but failing to convince them how good your product is.

Top business blog you follow

Haynet and Sophie Callahan. I’ve only just been introduced to Sophie’s blog via Small & Supercharged and I’m amazed at how much time she spends putting together really useful supportive blogs without expecting something in return from the reader – however, I’m constantly impressed by her images, and I suppose when I need a photographer she will be at the top of my list.

Top business book you’ve read

Upping your Elvis Factor by Chris Barez Brown. I met him when I worked at Penguin and he was the person who convinced me to follow my dream.

One thing we might not know about you

I’d love to move back home to Wales. I’m on an amazing journey, but Snowdonia will always be HOME and it’s where I’ll return.

Top business achievement

Being ‘Highly Commended’ by BETA is something I’m very proud of but I consider every sale as my biggest achievement. Selling a book means that I have found the right story, produced it well, found the right market and convinced the buyer to part with money for the promise it holds and that to me is success.

Forelock Books

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram 

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A few minutes with… Emma Dyer – Equine Careers

I’m lucky to meet a lot of fabulous small business owners and find out all about their businesses. But not everyone does. So I thought, to help more people learn about them, I’d use my blog to showcase some of Equine Careersthe businesses I love. Here’s the first one-  Emma Dyer at Equine Careers. I’ve known Emma for years and have been lucky enough to work with her too. Emma’s business has really changed recruitment in the equine and rural industry – she’s a game changer, and I’m very excited to be able to share a bit about this fabulous lady (and her business) with you…

Tell us about you and your background – I have always ridden, and worked with horses for the first few years after A Levels, but then moved into sales and more commercial roles. I found it hard when I was successful only to have managers move the goal posts on me. So maybe being self employed was always on the cards but I was used to the security of a salary. I am a people person and love being around others or part of a team.  

What made you want to start a business? I didn’t really, but my hand was forced when I was made redundant back in 2008 and I had already had the idea of Equine Careers – so it seemed it was forced upon me, that could be a good thing or Equine Careers may never have taken off.

How is your business different? Equine Careers is completely unique, it started off just as an advertising portal for commercial roles within the Equine Industry (not grooms or riders) but office jobs, Sales, Marketing, Admin etc and has grown from there. I met a few sales reps who were not horsey and felt it must be so difficult to talk the lingo if you don’t use the products – I know that I can do a better job the more passionate I am – so I wanted to promote these types of roles to those who were familiar with the products but did not want to work in a practical yard role.

What makes your service special? Our uniqueness and that I am a sole trader, I can provide a personal service. Nothing is too much trouble. I want to help whether it’s a client or a candidate. I want to provide the careers advice that was not available before in our specialist market.

If you had to sum up your business in five words, what would they be? Unique, professional, personal, efficient, trustworthy.

Do you have a motto or ethos? Honesty and professionalism above all else.  

If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring business owner, what would it be? Go for it, don’t over think – just do it. Believe in yourself and your idea.

One thing that helps you run your business more effectively–  Common sense and being well organised.

Best thing about running a business? You are your own boss, there is no one to move the goal posts on you and the glory/recognition is all down to you.

BETA International Emma Dyer Equine CareersWorst thing about running a business? Being wholeheartedly responsible with no one to bounce things off , sometimes it can be lonely.

Top business blog you follow – James Caan Recruitment

One thing we might not know about you – in a previous role as sales and marketing manager for an equine surfacing company, I sold sand to the Arabs (artificial surface for a covering pen in Dubai)

Top business achievement – Won a BETA Innovation Award in 2010

Where can people follow you or your business online:

Equine Careers website

Equine Careers Facebook page

Equine Careers Twitter

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How to up-level your business

How to up-level your businessIf you’re looking to ‘up-level’ your business this year, it requires a new kind of dedication, a new kind of skill set and a new kind of attitude. Are you game? Read on to find out how to up-level your business…

Are you ready?

There’s a great saying by someone far wiser than I am that simply states you’ll always get what you’ve always had if you always do what you’ve always done. Simple hey. Of course, there are exceptions, and winning the lottery or someone finding you by pure accident can happen, but would you want to bet your business and its future success on something that might possibly happen? Actually, it’s even less than that. Might possibly happen once in a blue moon? No, I didn’t think so.

How do you up-level your business?

So, how do you up-level? Well first, let’s just think about what the phrase means. It’s to take your business onto another level. To increase and expand what you do. To increase you reach, your engagement. The reason, in my mind at least, that the definition is vague is simply because there are many ways to up-level, but that depends on where you are now and where you want to be along with what you have utilised at the moment. I’m not saying up-levelling is easy, but it starts by having a proper look at what you do now and your current position and then a look at where you want to be. And then it’s a case of exploring new ideas. This could be through working with a coach or mentor to help you plan, perfect and achieve your goals. It could be through doing a lot of extra learning. It could be through dedicating time and resources to previously ignored areas in your business.

How long does it take?

Up-levelling won’t happen overnight. Or it shouldn’t do. It can be a fairly quick process though, or at least, the start of the process can be quick. Changing the way you work, to be more, to offer more, should be a gradual process. An evolution if you will, and you need to learn and adapt as you go, so you’re ready when your business gets there.

I can help (shameless plug alert)

I’ve been working with a number of clients in a one to one coaching capacity, to help them up-level (and continue to up-level) their business and what they do. Having someone who has your back and has the supporting knowledge and resources on hand can make your journey a lot easier. It’s perfectly possible on your own, but having seen pretty miraculous changes in a relatively short space of time from tweaking and adjusting small and large ‘things’, having a coach, a wingman, someone who is on your side (and has made it their mission to learn, research and test the best ways of doing things!), can really help. Have a look at the coaching service here or get in touch if you’re interested.

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Being a Dragon at the Royal Agricultural University

On 16th February I was, again, invited to the Royal Agricultural University in Gloucestershire, to be a ‘dragon’. Many people might take offence to being told they are a good dragon and invited back year on year, but I see it as one of the biggest compliments. So, what do I mean by dragon? And why do I see the term as a compliment?

Royal Agricultural UniversityAs you may have guessed, the dragon bit refers to breathing fire. No. I jest. I, along with two other professionals, judge a number of groups of final year students (nine groups this year) on their business ideas, marketing plans, financials and overall strategy. It’s part of the students’ final year studies and it’s fascinating to see the ideas that they come up with, as well as the plans behind how they could pull these ideas off. It inspires me and makes me feel ‘safe’ that the equestrian industry will be full of innovative ideas that move us all forward for years to come. I also get treated to lunch and get to spend the day with Phil Duff (if you don’t know who Phil is, have a look at his LinkedIn profile – he’s pretty impressive…not that I’d tell him that) and Ed Jenner (from Old Mill Group who is a complete whizz with numbers). Ashley Ede, who is a lecturer at RAU and has taught the students all they know, was marking them as they pitch. I’m sure he was extremely proud of them.

All the groups I saw on 16th had put a huge amount of effort into their presentations and some had some really great ideas that I, and my fellow dragons, felt could actually be made into ‘real’ products that would sell. The students had to give a presentation up to 10 minutes long about their idea. Some brought along prototypes, we had one group with some rather brilliant logoed kit – there was a huge diversity in the presentations and the product ideas which, from my point of view, made the day incredibly enjoyable and interesting. After their pitch, they were subjected to some pretty thorough scrutiny about their presentations and the info they’d provided us on paper.

But, what’s more (and I don’t want to sound like a real OAP here!), was that younger people often get a pretty hard time, don’t they? Think of the stuff that makes it onto the news, Facebook, websites. Generally it’s about ‘young people don’t know how easy they have it’, arrogance, entitlement…I’m not going to go on about this, but you know what I mean. And you know what? I didn’t see an ounce of any of this at RAU. Some of the groups were met with some pretty harsh scrutiny – that was what we were there to do – and all the students we had the pleasure of dealing with where just that, a pleasure. I know this is off topic and doesn’t actually address their business ideas, but if someone pitching a business idea is cocky and arrogant, the chances of you warming to them and, I’d say, are pretty minimal. I think without exception, all the people we spoke to and had pitch to us were engaged, receptive and respectful, even when they were given what could be seen as negative feedback.

With a HUGE range of ideas pitched covering transport to children’s products, yard equipment to products designed to support the tech we all rely on today, it was a really fascinating day and one that I hope very much I will invited to participate in again.

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Seven ways to get the best out of your graphic designer – new logo

A logo isn’t what makes your business. It’s a really nice thing to have, and being a bit of a design junkie, I do like a nice logo, but have a look at this blog ‘how to create a logo’ if you’re having an ‘arrrgggghh’ How to create a new logomoment. Then have a read of the below, it’ll help you get the best logo you can when working with a graphic designer…

I do have a genuine interest in graphic design. I’m not a designer- I don’t own any of the really clever software- but I do create graphics for people and have worked with a number of really, really good graphic designers in my time. So I feel I’m ok to talk about this. Here are my top tips for working with a graphic designer to design you new logo, to get the best logo for you.

Seven ways to get the best out of your graphic designer, to get the best logo for you

Work out what’s important. Your company’s name, any imagery you must have- get a list of non-negotiables

Colours. If you have preferences on colour and colours you hate- tell him or her. It’ll save him or her time and stress and you money.

Get vision. In the board sense. This doesn’t need to look like Sherlock’s ‘mind palace’, but collect examples of logos/fonts/colours/ideas/shapes you like.

Think. How are you using your logo? Is it on business stationery and nothing else or are you using it in/on products? How’s it going  look?

Fonts. Fonts can make something really simple work on a whole new level without costing a fortune, so have a good old look at fonts and get some ideas.

Sketch. You read that right. If you had an idea, sketch it out. You don’t have to be Picasso, but it gives your designer an idea of what you want them to achieve for you.

Get a price sorted. Prices can change depending on the number of revisions, but be clear on what you’re expecting to pay before you start and ask to be kept informed if the price is likely to increase.

The options you get back might not be like the logo in your head. Why? Because your designer can’t see in there. Follow the steps above and you should be pretty close, but be kind when you get your designs back as s/he’s put time and effort in. Be aware of this. Has this helped you? I’d love to hear from you in you have any additional tips.

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How can collaborations help your business?

A little while ago, I put together a video all about collaborations and how they can help your business – called how can collaborations help your business. If you click on image, you’ll be able to see the Youtube video about this. But as I know not everyone can view videos as easily as they can read a blog, I wanted to write it down too.

How can collaborations help your business?

Collaborations can be big for your business is SO many ways. They can help to increase your reach, add authority, add value, and strengthen your connections with different brands and sub communities in your sector. Of course, if it was just as easy saying you were going to collaborate, everyone would be doing it!

Who should you collaborate with?

Choosing who to collaborate with depends on the objectives of your collaboration. So have a think about that before you take the next step! However, in all cases, whether you collaborate with a brand or a person, make sure they align well with your business. All businesses have a ‘profile’, by which I mean an image and values that it’s important to maintain. So look for people and brands who fit this. They don’t have to be mirrors of yourself, but should have the same ‘vibe’ or ‘feel’. Why does that matter? Because if you’re looking to promote a service or product, the people who are going to be most interested will fit a similar profile. Of course, if you’re looking to branch out in another area, looking for something in your new space is a good plan, but make sure their key values match yours, because otherwise there will be a disconnect and wasted opportunity. You can collaborate with pretty much any business or individual if they’re a personal brand – the world is your oyster!

How much does it cost?

In many cases, depending on who you pick to collaborate with, the cost might be zero. Yep. Free (by which I mean not money exchanges hands). How? Because if you pick carefully and really think about what you’re doing, the company or person you’ve chosen to collaborate with can gain just as much, if not more, than you. Yes, if you’re running a competition, you might have to give product, of course, but ‘value’ doesn’t have to be in pounds, shillings and pence. If your offer or opportunity adds value to your collaborator’s audience too, everyone could win and no one should be out of pocket.

What do you mean, everyone could win?

The thing about collaborations is it shouldn’t be all about you. In fact, the best promotional opportunities I’ve ever worked on ensure that everyone gets something out of it. This means that everyone wants the collaboration to work well, which gives it an infinitely greater chance of success.

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Can blogging help your expert status?

Can blogging help your expert status? Before I carry on, I have to explain how much I dislike the word ‘expert’. It sits badly with me for two reasons – one is that there’s a great saying about experts (how x is an unknown quantity and a spurt is a drip under pressure!), and the other is that people at the top of their game never stop learning. And I think the word expert means you’re ‘there’, the finished product. And I don’t think anyone ever is. I’ve been called an expert on a few occasions (and I hope it wasn’t in a drip under pressure kind of way!) and it makes me feel uneasy. Writing web copy with the word in makes me feel all weird. So please, as you read this, just keep that in mind. I have little time for arrogance, and I wouldn’t want you to think I was in that category!

Can blogging help your expert status?

So, back to the title- can blogging help your expert status? Hell yes. And here’s why. I’m going to use my website as an example because, well, I know all about it! When I was planning it, I planned out the Can blogging help your expert status?pages and worked out what areas I wanted to cover in each, to showcase my skills and passions. And that’s good – that’s what you should do with a website. But you should also be mindful that people want concise info to decide on whether to drop you an email to see if you can help them. And that doesn’t give you a huge amount of space to talk about what you’re passionate about in any kind of detail. The kind of detail that if you’re researching a topic in detail you want.

Take this blog for example

I haven’t written a whole lot about blogging on the main area of my website. It’s part of the marketing mix, it’s something I consult on and help people plan, and it’s something I’m passionate about. But have I spent a lot of time on my main site talking about it? Nope. Have I talked about it in my blog? Oh yes, and from lots of different angles too. I’ve blogged the 40 day blogging challenge I made myself do, five reasons people don’t blog, what should I blog about, and more. This gives people more of a taste of what I am about, how my mind works and my understanding of the topic. People with greater understanding and knowledge than you on a topic are often referred to as…yep…that word again – experts. But the only way people are going to see your passion, share your knowledge and get an understanding on how much ‘stuff’ you know is if you tell them. In your own words. On your own platforms. And a blog is definitely one of these areas.

What about social media?

Of course, you can also use your social media platforms to promote your areas of expertise, but on a blog they’re a constant and don’t move down the timeline when more posts come on and get quickly forgotten. They’re there, ready to be shared or found on Google when someone asks the internet for information on a subject. Blogging can help your ‘expert’ status. Whatever you want to be seen as an expert in. So start now and start building your blogs and information on your own platform!

 

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Happy New Year!

It seems like forever since I’ve blogged on my own site…and looking at the date of my last post, that’s very much the case! The truth is that I’ve been so busy working with my clients across various media that my own ‘stuff’ seems to have taken a bit of backseat – and for those snippets of news I want to share, I write on my Facebook page…so if you’d like to hear what’s going on with my lovely bunch of clients, the Rhea Freeman PR Facebook page is your best bet! I’m hoping and planning to do more blogs this year, but as they’re usually more in-depth and ramble on (!), they take a wee bit more time! Hope to see you on the RFPR Facebook page!

I would, however, like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2016. I do think that people put too much focus on the ‘new year, new you’ idea. If you want to change, then just crack on! If you’re looking to improve your business, spread your message, increase your profits, get more people talking about you and what you do, don’t let a silly date stop you or, worse still, put so much pressure on you that you set yourself up for a fall and become completely demoralised! If you want to have a booming business by the end of the year, then don’t wait to start promoting yourself, and don’t set yourself huge goals without thinking how you’re actually going to achieve them. It’s just depressing if you don’t have a vague plan! You don’t need to spend the national debt on ads, you can start small by getting yourself organised on social media, filming yourself or your product and posting these clips, getting a tried and tested in a magazine. Setting little, achievable goals is more do-able, a hell of a lot easier, and forms a great foundation to build a more joined up campaign. So, if this New Year is all about building yourself a better, bigger business, remember that there are very few overnight successes…but there are many perceived overnight success stories that have come from years of hard work!

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