Every year Notonthehighstreet.com celebrate their partners with the Make Awards. There are a variety of awards on offer and this year mrs L cards was a finalist for the “Transformation Award”. The awards are judged by Notonthehighstreet.com plus guest judges Fearne Cotton, Henry Holland and Maira Ahmed.
The description for this award is “A partner we recognise for taking their business forward over the last 12 months by making significant changes to the way they work, responding to outside influences or adapting their business in line with potential growth opportunities with NOTHS”.
2020 was a very testing year however I loved having more time than usual to focus on producing new products to help and inspire others. Looking inward during the Covid crisis I thought about the things that make a difference to my mood and general well being. Those things are exercise, fresh air and the great outdoors, eating healthily and being well rested. Could I develop products related to these things?
I developed a range which now includes a selection of letterbox kits. Lots of research went into each of these letterbox kits; I wanted to create something that could be sent easily as a gift but would also be genuinely useful and provide that much needed comfort or encouragement. I loved researching into stress relief, exercise aids and best practices and how to nourish the body accordingly. I wanted the kits to be as kind to the environment as possible and thoroughly enjoyed testing and sourcing ethical products to add to the kits and created the kits themselves. It sure made a change from bulk ordering 300gsm white card.
Being busy during the very first lockdown was a god send. I’d be lying if I said everything was easy, my Stress “Free” Kit was selling faster than I could cut out the “stress less cards”and the supply chain for the products it includes was very hit and miss. I now laugh about my circle of irony; the most stressful time of our lives was creating such a huge demand for my product, stressing me out so much that I needed a Stress “Free” Kit.
As with everything I have learnt long and hard over this year. I’m now glad to say I have out sourced almost all of the printed items that go into my kits meaning a scalpel is no longer permanently attached to my hand and my physio appointment are less frequent! Ailments aside, I was over the moon that these new products have been well received, that sales in 2020 were great and that working from home I have been able to carry on working throughout the past year.
More than anything though when I read customer reviews I am delighted that I have been able to play a teeny tiny part in helping people this year. Anything to take our minds off the flipping news!
So to the awards night, virtually of course. Mascara on, cocktails poured..... alas I didn’t win. Hey ho, it was great to just be nominated and recognised and after a year where I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard, those cocktails tasted mighty fine. I want to congratulate everyone nominated and of course the winners, there are some amazing creative businesses out there.
