Finding the Good Stuff for The Sandwick Bay Candles Shop
Visiting a Trade Show can be a whirlwind! Picture miles of walking, bags full of samples, scribbled notes, countless conversations and cups of coffee. Read on to see how we find the good stuff for our Sandwick Bay Candles Shop in Stornoway and just how far we have to travel from the Outer Hebrides.
Have you ever wondered how the shelves in our little Stornoway shop come together?
Behind all the cards and gifts you find at Sandwick Bay Candles is a story - and often a long journey. Finding the right product is one of the most exciting (and time consuming!) parts of running this small business. To start with it is a 2 1/2 hour ferry ride with Calmac Ferries just to get to mainland Scotland. Then it can either be a flight to London from Inverness or a 7 hour drive to Harrogate.
We are just back from visiting the Home and Gift show in Harrogate so I thought I would give you a peek into what goes on behind the scenes and the effort it takes to find new products for the shop.
Choosing the right product for the shop is always with care, thought and consideration. I think about how it will fit with the other products, what our customers will love, how it was made and with what ingredients and materials as well as the price.
It is so exciting going to a trade show but a lot of work happens before I even get on the ferry. After registering I then spend hours going through the exhibitors list to see who will be attending. Writing a list of what suppliers we already stock so I can make sure to pop by and say hello and see what new products they have. Then I look at the other suppliers and take a look at their website or social media, researching the story and ethos behind the brand to see if it is the right fit.
They are always long days so you need to have good shoes and a great notebook. Grace from Grace Jackson Design sends out the most lovely wee trade show notebooks that I make sure I have with me. It is these thoughtful details that makes me love working with other small businesses. There are also plenty of seminars to listen to on the latest trends with speakers from industry experts like Therese from Small Business Collaborative.
There is something special about being to able to meet and chat with creatives and makers, to see their products in real life and chat shop life. Sometimes I find a product that I love but know it won't quite suit the shop so I go directly to their website and place an order.
There are lot's of trade shows in the UK and the ones I have visited over the last few years are Top Drawer in London (probably my favourite), Scotland's Trade Fair in Glasgow, Spring Fair in Birmingham
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Relationships Matter
Once we find a supplier we love, we work hard to maintain the partnership. You all know I love to champion fellow small businesses - and because we also wholesale our range of candles and home fragrance products I know what it is like to be on the other side of that stand. When you buy a card, print, gift wrap, jewellery and everything else in our shop know that you are supporting a chain of passionate creatives and independent makers. I always ask if they already stock elsewhere in Stornoway and if they do I respect that shop and don't place an order.
There is also the opportunity to meet up with other shop owners who understand all the joys of running a shop, share wisdom and experience and offer encouragement. It helps when we can catch up over a dinner after walking all day. I now can't go to the London Trade Show without visiting Flat Iron thanks to Sarah who has two amazing shops in Elgin - Pencil Me In and Seasgair. Running a shop can be lonely so talking with someone who 'gets it' makes a huge difference. Whether it is venting about a shop that sells exactly the same thing as you just around the corner or celebrating a good sales week you just feel less alone. Networking is vital and so much better in person.
Is it worth it?
Yes! It is a lot of hours but I love discovering new brands and bringing them to Stornoway. I love to find something different so that when you shop locally you are not going into the next shop and seeing the same things. I love knowing the name of the artist who creates the beautiful cards and how they print them - like Elizabeth from Little Paper Soul who does letterpress printing from her home studio in Edinburgh. How else would I know she used to live in Australia and loves Tim Tams! Speaking of Tim Tams reminds me of the deal I have with David from Ricicle cards - I send him packs of Tim Tams in exchange for some cards. Or following Katie's journey from Oh Squirrel as she opened her own shop and is now balancing it alongside being a new mum. Look out for some bespoke Stornoway cards from Katie for Christmas.
I am looking forward to heading to Top Drawer again in September to find lots of newness to bring back to the Outer Hebrides.
We are always looking to add new finds to our shop - and we love sharing the stories behind them.
Pop in and say hello next time you are visiting Stornoway. Or if it is easier I love chatting on social media.
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