Having found my P60 & my interest statements, my only required input to my tax return, and the website is live, it is time to turn my attention, that of Miss Bush, our brides and peers to schemes & dreams for 2014.
This week I have a meeting with Jayne Dunleavy, former bride & owner of Rainbow Celebrations to talk seriously about new products and services at Miss Bush. Jayne’s Christmas china & ceramics were snapped by brides & visitors to Miss Bush. The germ of an idea we have had to develop creative working relationships with artists & designers in the wider wedding industry started to look viable. The working title is Anthro-Bush – snappy huh?
Image from Anthropologie Link
To this end I am also meeting Tanya Jago from Bureau Design. Meeting Tanya was, or should be, a classic set manoeuvre for anyone wanting to practise business development via social media. Tweets, interest, another local client and a request to drop over when passing, a great portfolio and off goes the Brain of Bush wondering how I can work Tanya.
See more examples of Tanya’s work here
I also have my store visit from the RBA. The RBA has always been a worthy organisation & one Miss Bush belonged to at its inception. However, as you may imagine, my temperament is not suited to committees and I have a very strong dislike of being talked down too. Currently bridal shops are run by absolute powerhouses of women, experienced, tough professional with backgrounds as varied as there are shops.
When I first joined Miss Bush a lot of wedding dress shops were being run as hobbies by women & their funding came from their husbands. Which somehow seemed to entitle said husbands to sit on boards sending out patronising newsletters that were, often, in the interest of the manufacturers.
Nicola Garton is now the chair of the RBA having taken over from Laura Daly. A second female led, proper shop-floor chairperson has won me back. There are lots of reasons that this is good for our brides – the Buy with Confidence scheme guarantees your deposit and if you register your dress you get an extra level of protection. I cannot imagine a Miss Bush bride should need it – but then who imagined the Barings or Northern Rock debacle. It’s one concern off the bride’s anxiety list. My secondary aim is to encourage the removal of the naff graphics from their website. Cake toppers anyone?
Emma xxx
Emma Meek, MD of Miss Bush Bridalwear
Miss Bush Bridalwear is Surrey’s leading designer bridal shop
