Claire Leigh started her boutique business just over 4 years ago with a small credit card loan holding ‘gift parties’ in people’s houses. She now has an award winning shop in St.John’s Village, Woking turning over in excess of £200,000.

Claire shares her story of how she went from gift parties to having the shop in St. Johns Village, Woking. 

Claire has a number of  events in the lead up to Christmas - starting on 1st November with an evening to solve your styling dilemmas for the upcoming party season - with professional stylist, Emma Shoe

 Show Notes

We talk about:
 How Claire's dream of having a shop became reality
Her use of social media to create awareness
Getting started with gift party nights
Running her 'side hustle' alongside a corporate role and family
The gradual transition to a shop
What you do when you choose the wrong products
Managing requests from local artisans to stock their products from Claire's side and the maker's side
Getting the windows dressed
Behaving with integrity towards your staff, whilst looking after your business and understanding your legal obligations to staff members
Building a support network around you - to get advice - costs money but worth it, also on courses
The role fitness and diet play in keeping her on an even keel
Where her business is going and why it is called Two Ducks
Her children's sense of ownership (and just how many children fit into the changing room at the same time!)

Claire Leigh started her boutique business just over 4 years ago with a small credit card loan holding ‘gift parties’ in people’s houses. She now has an award winning shop in St.John’s Village, Woking turning over in excess of £200,000. Claire shares her story of how she went from gift parties to having the shop in St. Johns Village, Woking.  Claire has a number of <a title="Bridging Gaps - The Business Podcast" href="https://m.facebook.com/TwoDucksGifts?v=events&event_action_context=%7B%7D"> events</a> in the lead up to Christmas - starting on 1st November with an evening to solve your styling dilemmas for the upcoming party season - with professional stylist, <a title="Bridging Gaps - The Business Podcast" href="https://emmashoe.com/">Emma Shoe</a>  Show Notes We talk about: <ul> <li style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> How Claire's dream of having a shop became reality</li> <li>Her use of social media to create awareness</li> <li>Getting started with gift party nights</li> <li>Running her 'side hustle' alongside a corporate role and family</li> <li>The gradual transition to a shop</li> <li>What you do when you choose the wrong products</li> <li>Managing requests from local artisans to stock their products from Claire's side and the maker's side</li> <li>Getting the windows dressed</li> <li>Behaving with integrity towards your staff, whilst looking after your business and understanding your legal obligations to staff members</li> <li>Building a support network around you - to get advice - costs money but worth it, also on courses</li> <li>The role fitness and diet play in keeping her on an even keel</li> <li>Where her business is going and why it is called Two Ducks</li> <li>Her children's sense of ownership (and just how many children fit into the changing room at the same time!)</li> </ul>

Sharing the challenges and stories of fellow business owners!

My guests are business owners (with a few exceptions!) at different stages in their career. We talk about what they are doing now, the challenges they faced to get here, their advice to aspiring or existing business owners and how they maintain their own health and well being.

Everyone has a story to tell and it is inspiring to here from others and recognise that no-one's ride is smooth!

I'm Debra Levitt - and I work with individuals and businesses to launch and manage their podcasts.

Bridging Gaps - The Business Podcast

Sharing the challenges and stories of fellow business owners!

My guests are business owners (with a few exceptions!) at different stages in their career. We talk about what they are doing now, the challenges they faced to get here, their advice to aspiring or existing business owners and how they maintain their own health and well being.

Everyone has a story to tell and it is inspiring to here from others and recognise that no ones ride is smooth!

Find out more about me - Debra Levitt - on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/levittdebra

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