THE NEST

Is plagiarism really a form of flattery? Or just an incredibly frustrating way for someone to cut corners at your expense? It’s a conversation we have been having recently, when there is a concern that another business is infringing on a product or service. My advice? Be the big dog and rise above it. A very wise man, John Hoerner, once told me to be the big dog when I was in that position myself. Unless the infringement is demonstrably hurting your business financially, it's better to focus on your own path. When others copy your work, they’re acknowledging your innovation—but they’ll never truly match your authenticity, dedication, or direction. With objectivity and experience, I believe we're in a great position to offer strong advice to anyone struggling with this right now. #BeTheBigDog #FocusOnYou #Mentorship #Innovation

Yesterday was a long but incredibly productive day as we managed a photoshoot for a client. With a huge amount of content to capture in a very tight timeframe, it was all hands on deck. From sourcing and buying props earlier this week, to getting everything to the studio, lining up and styling the shots, and finally capturing them for the product relaunch—teamwork was key. A special shout-out to my dear friend Janet, who not only drove me and all the props to the studio but also looked after the entire team throughout the day. Janet, we couldn’t have done it without you—thank you! #PhotoshootDay #Teamwork #ProductLaunch #CreativeProcess #BehindTheScenes #ContentCreation #PropsAndStyling

When you are launching or relaunching a brand, there are several vital elements that need to be in place: a clear brand identity, a strong product or service offering, a comprehensive marketing strategy, and effective budget and resource management. However, in our experience, two areas are often overlooked but are crucial for a smooth and successful launch: Creating a robust critical path document – This is the foundation of your launch plan, mapping out every key task and timeline from start to finish. It’s essential to have this document in place early and to ensure it evolves as needed. Just like planning a traditional Christmas lunch, you work backwards from your launch date, making sure each step is clearly outlined and timed to perfection. Team alignment and communication – It's not enough for the critical path to exist; it must be shared with everyone involved. Each team member needs to know their role, responsibilities, and deadlines. Regular update meetings are a must to keep everyone on track and to adjust plans as challenges arise (and they always do!). Keeping communication open ensures the entire team stays aligned, informed, and ready to adapt when necessary. Overlooking these two areas can lead to delays and confusion, but with a solid plan and strong communication, you’ll be well-positioned to meet your launch goals. If you need help navigating the process of launching or re-launching your brand, THE NEST has the experience and expertise to support you through every stage. #BrandLaunch #CriticalPath #TeamAlignment #MarketingStrategy #BusinessGrowth #ProductLaunch #BrandRelaunch #TheNest #Entrepreneurship #BusinessDevelopment #SmallBusiness

On Wednesday morning, I had the pleasure of attending a thought provoking event at BLUE ALMONDS Baby Boutique, where Izabela Minkiewicz the boutique founder, announced an inspiring partnership with the charity mothers2mothers. The speakers shared how this incredible organization is making a real difference in Africa, by eliminating the transmission of HIV from mothers to their children. Over the past 10 years, they have achieved a transmission rate of 0%—a truly remarkable achievement! One of the key messages Iza emphasized was the importance of spreading the word about this charity’s work, so I’m happy to share the link below. If you feel inspired to support in any way, I know they would love to hear from you. As Iza concluded the event, her final words were a really powerful call to action : “We can, so we should, and we must.” #Charity #MothersToMothers #GivingBack #Support

Sitting here with a coffee and mapping out my route for a busy day of meetings. First up is a session with a client, discussing with a design agency how we can elevate their product packaging—always enjoy exploring new ways to enhance brand identity. Then, I’m off to an exclusive breakfast at BLUE ALMONDS boutique in South Kensington, where the wonderful Izabela Minkiewicz, owner of Blue Almonds, will be talking about the exciting new partnership she’s entering into with the mothers2mothers — looking forward to hearing about this impactful collaboration! This afternoon, I’ll be heading down to the Responsible Packaging Expo at Excel to research the latest innovations in sustainable packaging, which I’ll be sharing with our clients. Looking forward to a productive day! #PackagingInnovation #Sustainability #Branding #Collaboration #Inspiration #MothersSupportingMothers

Yesterday, I attended the Harrogate Nursery Fair—a truly valuable day connecting with industry contacts and meeting new ones, with exciting collaborations in the works. And it was so inspiring to see lots of conscious brands exhibiting there too! But more than that, it was a deeply nostalgic experience for me. As I walked towards the conference centre, I had a vivid flashback to my last visit to Harrogate—41 years ago! Back then, I was attending the bridal exhibition with my mother, who owned a wedding dress boutique. I was there to help her select the range but I spent most of my time watching and learning how she made her selections and listening to her talk to the brands with such authority about what her customers looked for. That visit marked a pivotal moment in my life, sparking the passion that led me to a career as a retail buyer. So it was special to return to Harrogate for another trade show, in an industry that continues to inspire me. #FullCircleMoments #RetailJourney #HarrogateNurseryFair #IndustryConnections #TradeShows #RetailCareer #Nostalgia #Collaboration #RetailIndustry

I’m on my way to the HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL NURSERY FAIR LIMITED NURSERY FAIR LIMITED Fair, do let me know if you are going to be there too!

Today, I heard some fantastic news that larger conscious clothing retailers are spreading an important message: eco-friendly materials need to be washed with eco-friendly laundry products to preserve their natural properties. We are currently working with an eco-friendly laundry & cleaning company, supporting their rebrand and relaunch later this month. We're actively seeking conscious clothing brands to collaborate with, offering their customers laundry products that protect and maintain their garments' integrity. If your brand sells eco-friendly clothing (big or small) and you want to provide your customers with eco-conscious laundry care, please get in touch with THE NEST. #EcoFriendlyFashion #ConsciousConsumerism #SustainableLiving #CollaborationOpportunity #EcoLaundry #SustainableFashion #GreenCleaning #ConsciousClothing #PartnershipOpportunity #TheNest #RetailSustainability #EcoBrands

Clear and consistent communication is critical when rebranding a business. Over the past few days, I’ve been working closely with a client to create a deck that shares the progress of their rebrand with key stakeholders. It’s essential that every aspect of this presentation—from fonts and colours to images—aligns with the brand guidelines. Small details like these ensure that our message is strong and cohesive, giving shareholders confidence in the direction we're heading. If you're rebranding and need an objective eye on your internal or external communications, we’d be happy to help you make sure your message is on point! #BrandConsistency #RebrandingStrategy #ClearCommunication

Yesterday morning, I had a great meeting with some potential new clients who are just starting their brand journey. It’s always fascinating to meet a business at the very beginning of its story! One key piece of advice I shared with them—and something I often recommend to early-stage businesses—is the value of working with part-time consultants who bring a wealth of experience. Instead of hiring a full-time junior employee, experienced consultants can offer the knowledge and hands-on support that is crucial in those early stages. At THE NEST, our consultants are not only experts in their fields but are ready to roll up their sleeves and help you hit the ground running. We provide the extra hands, expertise, and guidance to help get things moving—without the commitment of full-time employees. So, if you’re in the early stages of building your business and looking for top-notch talent to help you get off the ground, let’s chat! #StartUpAdvice #BusinessGrowth #Consulting #THENEST #alittlelessconversationandalittlemoreaction