b'STATIONERY BIZwhere it all started, but we also now have an online shop, too. We became an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint StockistALWAYS STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF in April 2015, which helped us link through to more of a lifestyle sideAND YOUR BRAND. of our business, and also started our series of workshops. We are also a Trouva boutique, which has been a great sellingtogether, some look better dottedDo you have any advice for platform for us, and we are reallyabout with other things, so its a bit ofpeople thinking about startingproud to be a part of it. In June 2017trial and error. We display everythingup with either a physical storewe also launched our own range ofon painted furniture, and so like toor online?greeting cards and prints, a vision wemove things about to keep it lookingAlways stay true to yourself and had from the start. We sell them in ourfresh. But once you start, the wholeyour brand. The minute you try shop and wholesale, too. Its almostshop ends up in disarray and weand be something youre not, youre two separate businesses that demandalways say: Why did we start this? Iton a different path and it becomes our time in different ways but also fitalways looks fab eventually, but theresconfusing for your customer. Its ok to together. Juggling the two is a bit of aalways a point in the middle wheredo lots of things, but they all need to challenge and we are still trying to getyou think WHY? fit together somehow or the customer to grips with it. Its just me and Heidiwont understand.that do everything, with a little helpWhat are the most rewarding from our families along the way. parts of running an independentHow do you feel about the stationery store? impact Brexit may have onWho creates your windowGoing to work every day and lovingyour business?displays? opening the door, seeing all theWe just wish they would get on with Heidi is our chief zshusher! Previousbeautiful things you have for saleit. Im sure its had a negative impact to shop life she worked for some ofand getting to meet and chat with theon retail and lots of other industries, the leading make-up brands such asloveliest people. We have made sometoo. The uncertainty is bound to Chanel and Dior, so has a really goodreal friends through our workshopsmake people more cautious with their eye for merchandising and display.and also in the industry. Its a 24/7 jobspending habits. If as much time was We totally wing our window displayswhich can be hard at times, but its sospent looking after our own economy, and somehow seem to pull it out ofrewarding seeing people buy into yourmaybe the situation would be different.the bag every time. We keep lots ofdream.styling props to hand, and keep to colour stories where we can. We loveHow is Little Paperie addressing a good secret Pinterest board andthe challenges facing the UKuse those to gather ideas. Thereshigh street?normally a handmade element in thereDifferent income streams helps. So we somewhere, or a a good old chalkhave the bricks and mortar, our own marker for doodling on the windows. website, the publishing side of Little Paperie, and Trouva. They all work Whats your philosophy for storetogether and can bring in different layout? revenue streams. We are definitely Less is more. But we arent very goodworking on our online presence, as at that. We have so many lovely thingsfootfall is certainly not what it used to and a limited space, so we try to keepbe, and if more people are purchasing things in colour or pattern stories.online then thats where we need to be. Some brands look better showcasedIts certainly not easy.SPRING//SUMMER 2019 69'