Today's
my last working day of 2011... Anna's going to be taking the helm and
steering u-ni-k into Christmas Eve and then we'll both disappear off
for Christmas & reappear refreshed and bubbly in 2012!
So,
I'd like to take the chance to look back at the last 9 months &
thank a few of the people that have inspired, helped and cajoled Anna
& I to where we are today.
Over
a year ago in The Lighthouse in Woking, Anna, the other NCT Mummies
and I were all discussing our careers now that we were Mums. It was
here that Anna and I agreed to join our creative ideas together.
So
my first thanks goes to the NCT – without the sanity, hilarity and
barmy grouping that was us Mums to be and our partners at “Preggers
Anonymous Class of March '10”, I'd probably not have found Anna and
started u-ni-k gifts. Actually I'd probably not have survived the
first 12months of being a Mum without the support of these ladies
either. THANK YOU !
While
finding our feet and trying to contain our 'just launched'
excitement; our friends and family were a fantastic resource of
advice, networking support and guinea pig customers.
So
thank you to our friends and family, we wouldn't be here without out
you and your honest opinions! THANK YOU
You
can follow u-ni-k here on the blog, by liking our Facebook page and
on Twitter. Various people have helped us grow as a company and as
people through these mediums.
A
special thank you to Hele aka Milkpetal, Keri of Buy Student Art, and
Susan of Fat Hen & Flo for their comments, support and follow on
the blog.
A
HUGE thank you to David Earp, Nikki Stock, Tony Liddicoat, Kathleen
Hughes, Manami Ohki, Gary Liddicoat and Alessandra Maio Lewis for
their likes, comments, and support on Facebook.
Not
forgetting our Top 10 Twitter friends: @kev_brett, @mummy_loves,
@K_erri, @ChicUniqueUK, @SFRProdReviews, @babysigningmum,
@CharlieMoos, @CraftBlogUK, @MultipleMummy, and @SilverTouches. Thank
you to you all.
There
are so many more of our Facebook and Twitter friends we could
mention, but for me these are the ones that really stood out and
stepped up to help us in 2011. THANK YOU!
It's
been an incredible year, not only online, at home, in the Christmas
Markets and in the post office queues... but also in the press. We
have loved working with and appreciate the mentions in ST Kids, The
Telegraph, Selvedge, Families Magazine, Natural Health and not
forgetting our world exclusive in the Woking News & Mail. Our
sincere thanks to the journalists that put us in their publications:
Daisy Bridgewater, Polly Leonard, Robina Cowan, Amie Coussens and
Hannah Tudor.
So
I finally come to our u-ni-k family; our friends and makers without
whom we really are not much at all! So a quick mention to those who
have really helped us this year:
The
always fabulous David and the equally as fantastic Shuktara who
enrich and brighten up our lives with the beautiful Shuktara blankets
and of course David's sense of humour.
The
stoic Markus & Britta in Borgholzhausen for their lovely wooden
toys and for graciously not correcting my poor German. We really
appreciate your quick turn around to our last minute orders and we
love watching our children enjoy your warm wonderful wooden toys.
Louise
of Little Silver Touches has been an inspiration, a hard working Mum
who has been human, honest and not scared to answer the phone while
the kids are shouting in the background :p. Louise has always tried
to complete our orders by the date required, even when we can't
always guarantee the prints to her by her deadline date. Louise
you're a superstar, thank you for everything!
The
lovely Helen Beard of well Helen Beard fame for her lovely ceramics,
we treasure those whimsical sketches of hens, people and places. We
appreciate you agreeing to share with us your new children themed
pieces, all while being a fellow first time Mum! Thank you!
Last
but by at no means least – Mandy of Belle & Boo. We love your
drawings, clothes and nostalgic childhood memories that your Belle
and Boo inspire. I particularly thank you for the Belle and Boo
drawings – as I'm sure they'll remind me of my own Daughter and her
constant companion BunnyBunny long after she's put BunnyBunny up on a
shelf.
Saving the very best for last:
Anna
& I were able to meet and discuss notes / ideas, take minutes of
our meetings, sketch design, look in magazines and drink tea [Anna] /
coffee [me post breast feeding]. Our nighttime work load was quite
mind boggling for first time Mums, we've been tired and grumpy –
our houses are a mess, our kids are a handful, and we've at least
both lost a room and a bit to our u-ni-k stuff in our homes. So the
biggest and best thank you goes to our partners and children for
providing us the support to start the business and their continued
patience / support ever since.
THANK
YOU.
With
that I sign off for this year.
Merry
Christmas one & all, May the New Year bring you health, happiness
and sunshine!
Sarah
x
All
together now...
Bring
me Sunshine, in your smile,
Bring me Laughter, all the while,
In
this world where we live, there should be more happiness,
So much
joy you can give, to each brand new bright tomorrow,
Make
me happy, through the years,
Never bring me, any tears,
Let your
arms be as warm as the sun from up above,
Bring me fun, bring me
sunshine, bring me love.
Bring
me Sunshine, in your eyes,
Bring me rainbows, from the
skies,
Life's too short to be spent having anything but fun,
We
can be so content, if we gather little sunbeams,
Be
light-hearted, all day long,
Keep me singing, happy songs,
Let
your arms be as warm as the sun from up above,
Bring me fun, bring
me sunshine, bring me love.
