ESTILA feel-good resource for creatives in business
VOLUME 7/ ISSUE 32
i n t eriors ¡ build stor y 2 MIN
Behind the scenes with Create Bespoke words by Julia James and photography by Chris White
With an impressive build portfolio and the Best Luxury Design / Build Company 2018 Architecture Award under its belt, Create Bespoke is helping clients create spaces that tell stories through bespoke and luxury finishes. Each project says something unique, showcasing creative engineering at its best. Here they take us behind the scenes. The process Each project we take on starts with the client. We work closely with them to ensure the brief is both true to their vision but also realistic, achievable and sustainable, in terms of time, budget, execution, and environmental factors. The process starts with a face-to-face conversation where we determine the specific nature of the project. We prefer to work in a collaborative atmosphere, which allows us to blend the balance of client's vision with our insight and expertise. As our strength is in building and engineering, we always want to make sure that all aspects of the construction are completed with great accuracy and longevity in mind. We pay attention to every detail. For example, we found that assigning each client with their own installation manager helps with better communication and smoother project management.
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i n t eriors ¡ build stor y
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i n teriors ¡ build stor y
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i n t eriors ¡ build stor y
A state of mind We truly believe that your environment can profoundly affect your state of mind. That's why we also work with our clients on bespoke furniture pieces that reflect their taste and personality. We design and produce all bespoke furniture in-house and occasionally, we also work with respected international furniture designers on exciting design collaborations. Future plans Recently we have completed the Foxbourne Road project (featured in this article) and are currently working on numerous other residential projects, one of them is an exciting re-build in London, which we will be revealing soon. We also are involved in many other creative projects particularly with our founder's, Andy Young, sculptures. The 'Translations in Light' copper tree is currently showing at the Hannah Peschar sculpture garden in Surrey. For more information or enquiries, please call 0203 642 5066 or email to info@createbespoke.co.uk createbespoke.co.uk
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IG @create_bespoke
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i n t e riors ¡ business stor y 3 MIN
Two together interview by Karolina Barnes, photography provided by James Soane
Steve Jobs once said that "design is not just what it looks like, design is how it works." When it comes to interiors, this couldn't be truer. Social media, especially Instagram and Pinterest, make us believe that aesthetics is more important than functionality. But that's a big illusion. Great design is able to mix the two together, creating spaces that are a joy to be in. Project Orange is on a mission to do just that. They are an unusual practice because they place equal importance on both, architecture and interior design. Whether it's homes, hotels or offices, they approach each project with detailed research and collaboration with their clients and partners. No wonder that among their achievements are RIBA Regional and National Awards, Building Design Interior Architect of the Year Awards, a Civic Trust Award, the Housing Design Awards, the British Homes Awards and The European Hotel Awards. Partners in practice and in life Project Orange was founded by Cambridge University graduates, Christopher Ash and James Soane in 1997. Here we chat with them about their early days, projects and educating the next generation of architects.
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i n t e riors · business stor y
What is the story behind Project Orange? How and why did you decide to set it up? We met at university when we were 19, and have been a couple since we were 21. When we finished studying, a group of us formed Orange to enter competitions. We came 4th in the Copenhagen Library competition winning £5000! Later Christopher and I began working on some small residential jobs so we became Project Orange. It was in 1997 that Christopher set up an office full-time while I joined in 2001. Our aim was to combine architecture with interiors, and to be open to a spectrum of design approaches without creating a signature. What did you find most challenging in early days in terms of project management and getting new clients? In some ways when you are very small, it is less stressful as you only need a few projects to keep you going. Our clients came from word of mouth and we were good at networking. It’s hard to imagine that social media was still nascent in 2000, so it was important to meet people face to face. Actually, I think the same still applies, but there are more smoke and mirrors.
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i n t e ri o rs ¡ fur niture brand
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i n t e riors · fur niture brand 5 MIN
In her own words with Elizabeth Turner words and photography provided by Elizabeth Turner
During my childhood, my mum was always updating items around the house, repurposing furniture we already owned and even building her own furniture. I remember being taken to an auction where I chose a tatty Victorian metal bed frame with flower details. I painted each flower a different colour and was so proud of how I'd transformed it. Upcycling is something I’ve always enjoyed, so when it came to furnishing my own home I naturally went looking for items to refurbish and Mid-century furniture is what I was drawn to. I'm about to celebrate 2 years of running my own business, which is an amazing feeling. When I launched the business, I had recently moved into a home, which needed furnishing, and I wanted to fill it with unique, interesting furniture so began customising pieces myself. I absolutely loved the process of taking something old and making it look contemporary, so I couldn't stop buying furniture! I realised that so many people want their homes to be unique, but don’t have the time or tools to source and restore furniture themselves. That’s where my business began. Originally the idea of creating patterns by leaving some of the wood exposed came from necessity. The pieces I was working on weren't always in great condition. I didn't want to paint the whole piece of furniture but often had to conceal damage that I'd repaired, so I created shapes to work around the areas I needed to hide. Over time I realised that I'm really drawn to clean lines and simple block patterns, so decided to build on it and create a range that was cohesive.
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i n teriors ¡ brand stor y
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i n t eriors · brand stor y 4 MIN
Nisi Living interview by Karolina Barnes, photography provided by Eleni Portch
Businesses that are able to deliver an experience or a slice of a specific lifestyle are the ones that customers currently seek out and are attracted to. Like Nisi Living who offers colourful lifestyle products which allow you to have a little bit of Mediterranean in your life. Here we chat with Eleni and Julian Portch, its founders, giving us an insight into their brand. What is the story behind Nisi Living? How and why did you decide to set it up? Eleni: The ethos of Nisi Living’s brand stems from my Greek heritage and our passion for Mediterranean living. ‘Nisi’ is the Greek word for ‘island’ evoking images of bright colours and warm textures that we associate with a Mediterranean island. We wanted to share this passion with our visitors, enticing them to add a splash of the ‘Med’ to their homes. Of course, it’s easy to do when the weather here is good, but actually even on a dull grey day, what could be better than a pop of aquamarine or bright pink to brighten up your living space? Our mission or ‘call to action’ is summed up by our brand strapline ‘Live More Mediterranean’ or simply #LIVEMOREMED. In the 9 months prior to going live, we spent a lot of time curating products, including many handmade pieces, from Europe and beyond, whose attributes reflected our brand, being rich in colour, character and quality. At the same time, we worked with our web developers to create a bespoke user-friendly website that showcased our products in the best way and promoted the ‘Nisi’ brand.
INDOOR & OUTDOOR CUSHIONS Links Fuchsia £70, Flamingo £90
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i n t e ri ors · brand stor y
What did you find most challenging in the early days in terms of getting customers to your website? Julian: With no existing customer base or bricks & mortar shop, this has been our biggest challenge, particularly given the competitiveness of the homeware sector. We have invested in the usual options for ‘paid’ web traffic but we have found that organic and referred traffic is the best quality and more likely to result in repeat business. Hence, our strategy has been to develop a loyal customer base of discerning shoppers, who buy into our brand and products. Our ‘Nisi Club’ was launched to let our subscribers know about upcoming promotions and new arrivals and also to reward them for their loyalty in the form of exclusive discounts. Many of our fabulous customers come back again and again, recommending Nisi to their friends and family, which is particularly rewarding.
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i n t eriors · brand stor y
How do you want your customer to feel when they get a piece of Nisi Living Mediterranean lifestyle in their home? Eleni: This is so important to us! We want every customer to feel a sense of delight when they receive and unpack a Nisi parcel. We want the customer to not only love the product, but also to love the way we have packaged and wrapped the product. The customer should feel that they have brought a little flavour of the Mediterranean into their home. The personal touch is critical for our brand and this is often commented on in reviews; every parcel contains a personal ‘thank you’ note and all new customers receive a little freebie from Nisi too! What has been your proudest moment so far? Julian: Aside from the website launch in June 2016, which was a very proud moment, probably our first credit in a national magazine. To see Nisi Living and its products in a magazine that we have always enjoyed reading gave us a sense of credibility and belief in what we were doing.
ACRYLIC TUMBLER Pink, £13
GERONA BOWLS Splatter, £70
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PALLA PITCHER Green, £40
ART “What drives me is the ability to create a whole character from nothing.�
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art ¡ c ov er stor y
My journey to fashion illustration introduction by Karolina Barnes, words and art provided by Gill Wright
When brainstorming on this bookazine cover, I wanted to capture the beauty of the coming season, its sophistication, femininity and boldness. I was so happy when I came across Gill Wright's artwork one day and immediately thought it would be a perfect fit. Gill is a Saltburn-by-the-Sea based artist and illustrator who specialises in creating unique fashion art prints that tell captivating style stories to suit contemporary interiors. She also regularly works on commissions for a variety of clients and has done editorial and product illustrations as well as portraits and branding since her launch. Here she shares her personal journey and wisdom she picked up along the way.
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9 MIN
art · c ov er stor y
My trigger The first Paris show I ever saw was as a student in the early nineties: Commes des Garçons. I think I struck lucky. That combination of collection, models and music seriously moved me to tears. I knew I was doing the right degree. Making notes, sketching shows and creating shop reports was a huge part of my daily creative process and I loved bringing all of that together with illustration. The collections that inspired me deeply were always those in which I perceived the woman as quietly confident in her style. Indeed, one of my proudest moments in showing my own degree show was when Iain R Webb described my collection as "shamelessly cool and elegant" in The Times. I really felt I’d achieved what I set out to do in portraying the women I’d admired so much on other runways. Following this, I worked as a clothing designer for over 10 years, always enjoying the sketching and illustrating elements of my work but the industry in the North East was diminishing so, as I was working increasingly on the visual presentation and promotional side of things, I added some graphic design training and was offered a position in an agency. I worked there for fifteen years, first as Graphic Designer and Illustrator then Studio Manager. My skills became focused on manipulation of images and finding fairly quick visual solutions to tight deadlines. For many years I felt almost guilty that I’d turned my back on my fashion roots where the swish of a brush or marker to capture a pose was what it was all about. I was missing out on something that I loved. Becoming a mother meant that my full-time post changed to part-time and I felt that I lost my career momentum completely. When the recession hit and the agency floundered I was made redundant but after some months working for a local magazine, I was invited back. I remember telling people that it was on a consultancy basis but it was basically a zero hours contract which eventually ended up giving me exactly that. We were in the middle of a significant house renovation at the time so it seemed that things couldn’t have been worse. So in 2016, through necessity rather than an admirably bold career decision, I decided to launch independently with Gill Wright Illustration pooling my varied creative industry experience and focusing on my real passion, fashion illustration.
Right: Red Umbrella
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Featured designer-makers from top right: Linear or Not | Corinne Alexander | Camilla Webb Carter | Elisha Francis | Pottery Post Co | Ballonet Socks estila | Vis Viva 40
spec ial feature 4 MIN
Interview with Sophie Rees, founder of Designers / Makers interview by Karolina Barnes
Can you tell us more about Designers / Makers? Designers / Makers is an agency for contemporary design, offering members business advice, selling events, PR and opportunities to develop their brand. I have always focused primarily on events and collaborating with other cultural organisations in order to benefit our members and make connections to the wider design and craft community. After several years at Old Spitalfields, we changed direction and began a collaboration with Truman Brewery on Brick Lane in 2015 that acts as a cross between a market and trade show.
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spec ial feature
The London Artisan is a curated marketplace in the heart of East London. Taking place on a quarterly basis, we bring 50 contemporary designer makers for a two-day design event like no other. The London Artisan offers a diverse, quality, shopping experience that celebrates independent makers working within jewellery, ceramics, fashion, furniture, homeware to candles and beauty products. What is the mission of TLA? There is a lack of curated markets in London; most markets have some incredibly talented designer-makers setup next to imported T-shirts and second-hand records which isn't necessarily a problem but it isn't the best way to highlight the time, skill and effort that goes into handmade products. With The London Artisan I wanted to offer an affordable platform for designer-makers to sell their work, build a client base and benefit from the extra promotion we carry out that they will not get through other markets; we create a profile on the TLA website for all designers taking part, have a large social media following where we highlight all the designers and promote products being sold online through the TLA shop; a new feature to the website in 2018 which helps customers buy work before and after each event.
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spec ial feature
What did you find most challenging when setting up TLA? When we first started TLA we made it a small weekly market taking place every Sunday, we were constantly chasing our tails trying to curate 20 people each week whilst trying to promote the event and grow its awareness. After one year of this we realised it needed to alter and so we decided to make it quarterly but over an entire weekend with 50 designers instead of 20. We took on a bigger space, created bigger signage and worked with media partners such as London Design Festival and Crafts Magazine to help build awareness. The quarterly schedule has worked really well and allows designers the time they need to create more stock for the events and allows us more time to promote the designers and gain exposure in the press. You also run Designer/Makers agency. What do you see as a common mistake designer/makers make? In terms of taking part in an event like The London Artisan, walking around at the start of a day I can see straight away who will be successful and who won't. The products and display are crucial to this but the third important element is attitude - smiling and interacting with customers goes a very long way and many forget this or just feel uncomfortable doing it (take your mum - she is often the best PR you can get!). Before each event I send a PDF document to every maker taking part which details how to plan for the event - before and during - which many find helpful. In terms of day to day practice, spend time figuring out a strong brand and product photos - that would be the number one piece of advice I would give. What are your plans for the near future? Designers / Makers is focusing on developing The London Artisan in 2018 and planning new exciting collaborative projects with Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield and Oxo Tower on London's Southbank. I am currently writing my first book 'Artisan Bristol' which profiles 25 designer-makers and is due to be published in 2019.
designersmakers.com
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IG @designersmakersinsta
FASHION “Colourful statement pieces in the wonders of nature.”
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fashion · te xtile designer 4 MIN
Biophilic design with Jessica Wilde
How did you get to where you are now?
I graduated from Textile Design at Birmingham City University in 2008, and I was lucky enough to go straight into a job as a wallpaper designer for a manufacturer. It was a great opportunity to work on in-house ranges, as well as an incredibly varied range of client projects. It also meant I was living in rural Shropshire where I grew up, something I had a new appreciation for after the years studying away and doing placements in London. After 5 years, I got itchy feet and felt the need to push my creativity further, so decided to start my own business as a freelance designer, alongside launching a range of products. This started very small with simple gift items such as gift cards and stationery, but over the last five years, I’ve expanded into fashion and home accessories. These are available online and via a growing number of stockists and galleries. Alongside this, I’ve continued to work on surface pattern design projects for a range of clients.
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fashion ¡ designer stor y 7 MIN
From graphic design to jewellery with Victoria von Stein written by Victoria von Stein, photography by Anna Stathaki
My journey so far has been challenging and a big learning curve, professionally and personally but fulfilling! From a young age, I always knew I would have a creative career in design, and my intention was to earn a living while doing what I loved. Having worked as a graphic designer in design agencies for 10 years and going through some personal life challenges, I was looking for a new path where I could create something meaningful. I always had an admiration for craftsmanship and after visiting a country fair show in England, I was inspired to take jewellery-making classes as a hobby in London to get back into what I used to enjoy doing as a child. While still working full-time, I trained for two years in jewellery craftsmanship at City Lit college where I learned traditional silversmithing techniques. I was fascinated by the process, and how I was able to create a beautiful piece from rough metals into a stunning jewellery piece.
It felt very rewarding! It grew from a hobby into a small side business and I started to sell on markets and to family and friends. I was curious about how to build a business, too. As I was hungry for information, I took an online business class for creatives in evenings. I wanted to give myself the time to reflect, research and build upon my skills while having the financial stability and learning what it takes to be an entrepreneur and to test my designs and products. I recommend this to anyone who is thinking of starting their own business as it avoids stress and overwhelm, one step at a time.
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fashion · brand stor y
For the love of art with Ennigaldi
interview by Karolina Barnes, photography provided by Ennigaldi
The story of the London-based luxury accessories label, Ennigaldi, started in 2013 in an East London recording studio when Gabriel Theuring and Martin McCusker met. Gabriel was an art lover and collector who had been studying Bespoke Tailoring at the University of the Arts London while Martin had been working in the music industry and was the lead singer and guitarist in a well-known East London Underground Metal band. Despite the differences in their disciplines, it quickly became clear that both of them shared a love of art and design, as well as an appreciation for beauty and craftsmanship. Soon a plan unfolded to launch a brand that would merge a love of art with craftsmanship and here they share their journey so far. What has got you through your journey so far? Martin: A lot of coffee and hard work! And, thankfully the support of a great team. Gabriel: After taking the initial steps towards our vision, I just have to say that now it's becoming a real job. Something that we do every day and the workload never stops. Martin: Yes, there is a list of tasks to complete every day, every week and every month… and we just have to keep going and not get overwhelmed. Gabriel: Yes, probably that’s the main thing that has got us to where we are now… persistence and the drive to never give up. We learned a lot by trial and error and still have the persistence and belief in the vision. What has led you to the idea of designing leather bags? What was the inspiration or trigger? Gabriel: Ennigaldi as a brand was based on a love of art from the beginning. It is all about combining art and fashion and giving a person a piece of wearable art. Handbags seemed a great versatile vehicle to start with. Also, the great thing about a bag is that it doesn’t matter what size or shape you are… One bag can fit everyone. Martin: Exactly. A handbag is a blank canvas. For our first collection, we looked at the art and architecture of Ancient Babylon for inspiration and applied that to classic contemporary shapes. We try to keep our styles timeless but interesting. And in future, we will look to different periods for inspiration.
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7 MIN
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fashion · brand stor y
How important are sustainability and the eco-friendly aspect of your products to your brand? Gabriel: Growing up in Germany, recycling and renewable energy are things I’ve always been surrounded by. As long as I’ve lived, sustainability and eco-friendliness were not a lifestyle choice over there; it is all just a part of life. So obviously I wanted to bring this awareness into my own company. Martin: We do not advertise ourselves as an eco-brand per se but as a small company, we thoroughly know our supply chain on every level and source from the best European tanneries with the best practices. Gabriel: Also, keeping things local is integral to our logistics. While our materials mainly come from Italy, our studio is based in London and our manufacturing is done in a workshop nearby. We are proud to say that our bags are not only designed but also made in London. Martin: This way we can oversee every detail as each bag is being created without having to get on a plane. We save on time and carbon emissions in shipping but besides such practical and ecological advantages, it is a privilege to tap into the finely honed skills of craftsmen on our doorstep and contribute towards the preservation and development of the British artisan industry, whose future rests on the logistical decisions and support of local designers such as ourselves. Gabriel: And in that way we are a sustainable brand as we are sustaining local industries and the local community, not only in our production line but also in our working lives day to day as a team. We tend to choose to support local family-run shops and restaurants over chains. This way of thinking filters down through every aspect of how the company operates, not just within our products. Martin: Saying that, the high quality of our products ensures that they are sustainable. Using only the finest materials, every bag is handcrafted and built to last. While we like to bring out new colours and styles every season, we are not the type of brand that believes in replacing your handbag every few months. We believe in investing in one or two pieces that you love and carrying them for years. Gabriel: Having a respect for material things and only choosing to use things with a certain longevity is not just important to us as a brand but it is important to all our lives because as far as I’m concerned, we only have one planet and anyone who has love for themselves and their descendants and the future generations should be taking this very seriously and do what they can to avoid unnecessary waste and damage to the environment.
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fashi on ¡ emer ging brands
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fashion · emer ging brands 6 MIN
A collaboration for a good cause written by Stefani Thrasyvoulou, Hanna Moedder, photography provided by Monique Romanowski
Mega-chains and high-street brands are typically based on the “fast fashion” principle, launching micro-frequent collections to entice new and existing shoppers to “buy now”. Because of this, trends come and go faster than one can follow. But whilst playing around with ever-changing styles of fashion can be fun, it certainly comes at a cost. The majority of shoppers buy cheap clothes and then don’t think twice about tossing them aside when the next new thing is marketed in their direction. This, of course, leads to unnecessary waste and pollution, whilst simultaneously the seller feels the need to sell or “get rid off ” these new lines with competitive prices and discounts, driving down wages and standards. As a conscious consumer, sometimes it simply feels great to really purchase something that is sure to last you a lifetime. Snazzy, an independent emerging brand from London, has made slow, fair-trade fashion their mission, recently collaborated with MOD by Monique, the German fashion and lifestyle blogger. They teamed up to tell the story of Snazzy’s new belt bag, The Aziza, made with salvaged Italian luxury leather and handwoven Berber rug by skilled artisans in Morocco. Here they share the insight into how they worked together.
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fashion ¡ emer ging brands
Monique, as a fashion expert, why do belt bags have such a moment right now? Well, I think that trends from the past are coming back from season to season. This time it is all about the 90s belt bags. I was a big fan when I was younger so I am not surprised that I am totally into these bags nowadays. One of the best throwbacks! They are practical and pretty at the same time, so a perfect addition to your day to night look. You might think that you might look like your 15-year old self but you don’t need to! Just dress up in a suit and add a belt bag - you will love it, trust me! As a full-time influencer that has worked with some of the most renowned brands in cosmetics and fashion, what is your criteria when it comes to supporting up-andcoming labels? I do love working with all of my collaboration partners and of course, I am really proud that I had the chance to work with some of the most renowned ones in the industry. But I also think that there are so many new, upcoming or independent labels who need support. Whenever I see a fit, I am thrilled to hear the ideas. The big names usually do not need that big support because they are big enough. Giving new ones a push is what I really love. Especially when it comes to supporting a good cause like what we are doing with Snazzy. I also believe that we need to support female business owners as much as possible. What exactly did you like about Snazzy? What I love most about Snazzy is the attitude to a very high design level and how they support artisans and traditional craftsmanship in developing countries such as India, Morocco and Kenya at the same time. I also appreciate the longevity and slow fashion factor. In a fast-living environment with lots of fast fashion brands, it is so refreshing seeing labels who really care about our planet. It is the perfect example that fair fashion can also be very trendy and fashionable! What are your ethical values when it comes to consumer behaviour? I think that it is necessary to buy in a very selective way. Therefore, I made a conscious decision not to purchase many high street or fast fashion pieces anymore. As a consumer, I would like to know under which conditions my clothes have been produced. I am talking about both, the human factor and our environment. Furthermore, vintage buying is a big thing for me at the moment. It is also a perfect way to create your very own and unique style. This is my aim: buy less, choose well!
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fashion ¡ emer ging brands
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beauty · inter vie w 4 MIN
Interview with Sonia Deasy from Pestle & Mortar interview and product photography by Nicola McCullough
The inherent simplicity of Pestle & Mortar stands strong in an often overwhelming sea of skincare, with a thoughtfully curated collection that is both effective and a joy to use. My own hero product is its Pure Hyaluronic Serum, an instant, comforting pick up for dehydrated skin. I caught up with Irish founder and busy mother of five, Sonia Deasy, to discuss the ethos of her family-run business. What gave you the courage to create 'another' skincare brand - and what do you believe helped you succeed? In my mind, I wasn’t creating just ‘another’ skincare brand. I simply couldn’t identify a range of skincare that was uncomplicated, provided all necessary actives, was suitable for all skin-types and was affordable. So I made one. I think that my singular mindset and crystal clear vision helped me succeed alongside a very talented team. The support network behind Pestle & Mortar sounds like quite the team. Tell us about the role your family play in the business. It really is quite the team. The support network that surrounds Pestle & Mortar encompasses graphic design through to childcare! I have a fabulous team of people who are all in tune with the brand, the vision and the mindset. I work closely with my husband, who is exceptionally creative and also systems-focussed. He’s an involved father too but doesn’t cook! My siblings are all self-employed and on hand to offer advice and support. We have fun, and I think that’s what building a team comes down to.
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beauty · inter vie w
What's the one quality you'd most like Pestle & Mortar to be known for? Simplicity. You described naming Pestle & Mortar as important as naming one of your children... how much does a brand name contribute to business success? The name of the brand is paramount to success. It’s not just a name – it’s a story. People identify with the story behind the brand. Emotional appeal cannot be ignored in business – customers are real people and everyone loves a story. What was the biggest challenge in building your brand? It was a process and so the challenges were small and frequent rather than large and sudden. I had a clear vision for the brand and a defined path. I ran into challenges along the way of course, but I enjoy challenges! What has been the biggest business highlight since launch day? Appearing on QVC USA for the first time. It’s not easy to get a slot first of all, and then the process is quite gruelling. The USA is a huge market and for an Irish beauty brand to be featured on the largest shopping channel in such a vast marketplace was definitely a highlight. Which of your products would you recommend to everyone? Pure Hyaluronic Serum and the Double Cleansing System and…..all of them really but these two are a must if you have to choose! What advice would you give to someone completely new to skincare? Double cleanse. It is a ritual that will transform your routine and it is the first step in the right direction. At what age should women start using Retinol Superstar? The skin starts to actively lose elasticity and show signs of ageing when you hit the late 20s. This is the time when most dermatologists recommend starting to use a retinol based product.
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beauty ¡ inter vie w
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beauty · inter vie w
People of this age are often concerned that using a retinol product will cause irritation or break-outs and that’s why Superstar is perfect. Superstar is non-irritating and nourishing as the formulation includes a cutting-edge retinoid which penetrates the skin at low concentrations. The plant-derived organic, cold-pressed and steam-distilled oils in Superstar are extremely nourishing and calming, so you get all the benefits of retinol without the irritation. What is your dream for the future of Pestle & Mortar? I would like Pestle & Mortar to be the go-to brand for anyone looking for simple, effective skincare solutions. The brand will hopefully take its place amongst mainstream big corporate brands and hold its own there. How do you switch off from a working life where you're involved in such a personal level? Because Pestle & Mortar is like my sixth child, I don’t feel a huge need to ‘switch off ’. I relax by spending time with the children, walking and visiting my parents and friends. To be honest, I’m a fairly relaxed person - I just go with the flow most of the time!
For more information about Pestle & Mortar products, please visit www.pestleandmortar.com For latest updates follow on Twitter: @PMortar and Instagram @pestleandmortarcosmetics
strawberryblondebeauty.com
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business · mindset
Snapshot of your life written by Sarah Jones
PART 6. “Map of Life” “Every second of your life is like a snapshot in time. One day you will look back at your album, make sure it’s worthwhile looking at it.” As I was planning my last holiday, one of the first things I did was get out a map and plan our route. Whether it was online maps or old-fashioned paper maps – they all helped guide us to our destination. As I was looking at the maps spread across our dining room table, I thought, “wouldn’t it be great if there was a map of life” that could guide you along your life’s journey? A personal motivation map is giving you those life lessons that one typically learns way too late in life. Does such a “map of life” exist? IT’S THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE THAT ARE THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY. I believe this to be true and have experienced it with my own family. When I think of the times where we laughed the most or had the most fun, it was when we were doing the simplest things; swimming in a pool, combing a beach for shells, playing a board game, or sharing a delicious meal – all simple things making up the best times we’ve had as a family. SUPPORT YOUR CHILDREN IN PURSUIT OF THEIR DREAMS. How many of us had parents who have, in not-so-subtle-ways, influenced us to take careers that were not in-line with our dreams? Be honest now, did you pick your current career because you’re passionate about the work or were you trying to make your parents proud? How do you feel about your career now? As a parent, it’s difficult to accept when your child wants to take a path other than the one you had hoped and planned for them. “Give them roots and give them wings”. Give them a solid foundation of love, but give them the freedom to follow their dreams. THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO LEARN AND THAT IS THROUGH ACTION. Trying to learn without doing is like trying to lose weight by watching someone else exercise. It’s just not going to work. We are all fundamentally hands-on learners. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. Set goals and make a plan to achieve them. It’s like the saying, “a goal that is never written down is nothing but a New Year’s resolution” – and we all know what happens to New Year’s resolutions. MAKE A DECISION AND DIVE IN WITH MASSIVE ACTION. The river of life will take you to places that you have never imagined. Once you make a decision, take action. You’ll be surprised to find where it will lead. MOVE ON – ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD. It’s okay to look back once and a while, but don't live in the past. You can visit “Pity City” for a short time, but after a while, you have to leave it all behind and walk on. YOU WILL ENCOUNTER OBSTACLES AND TAKE DETOURS WHILE REALISING YOUR DREAMS. As you strive to achieve your dreams, you can count on there being some setbacks and disappointments. Don’t get discouraged, the road to your dreams may not be an easy one. Think of these challenges as tests of persistence and courage that life throws at you during your quest. They were necessary and were meant to help you grow as a person. Learn to adjust the sails of your life to unpredictable winds, while keeping your focus clear on your destination.
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business · mindset DON’T FEAR THE UNKNOWN. As long as you’re resourceful and have a few skills, you’ll be able to provide for yourself (and your family). Have confidence in yourself at all times. LEARN TO UNDERSTAND THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE – THE LANGUAGE WITHOUT WORDS. There is so much more said from a person than just words alone. You can read the expression on someone’s face, sense their body language, or hear the tone in their voice – these things are all part of the unspoken language. The more conscious we become at noticing them, the better we become at interpreting them. CHANGE WHAT’S NOT WORKING. The example that comes to mind is our automotive industry. For many years, cars were being “built-in obsolescence,” meaning they seemed to last for 5-6 years and then things would go south. Around the 1970s, companies like Toyota and other foreign car manufacturers started to be imported into the USA on a more massive scale. Those cars were deemed more reliable, fuel efficient and longer-lasting. Thus, the automotive industry began changing. Because they did not change fast enough with the growing imports, American automakers lost significant market share. DON’T CHANGE YOUR CORE VALUES. If your company has a mission statement and core values that were established at the time of incorporation, or have been developed over the years, stay consistent with those values. Bring these positive values to the forefront and deliver your products and services with them in mind. Your values cannot become stale unless you no longer believe in them. RECESS. Children are given recess, which allows them to get away from a subject, refresh themselves and come back ready to learn. This philosophy should be true when it comes to a business. You cannot expect your employees to thrive unless they have time to disconnect from their desk or workplace. Kimberly Elsbach, Management Professor at UC-Davis, says, “Never taking a break from very careful thought actually reduces your ability to be creative. It sort of exhausts your cognitive capacity and you’re not able to make the creative connections you can if your brain is more rested.” EXPLORE. Let’s take a look at retail and shopping. Most retail purchases are done by impulse. This means you need to get your products noticed on the shelf. How are you going to get your products noticed? By exploring, that’s how! No matter what kind of business you are in, taking the time to research, observe, and study what your competitors and related businesses are doing will give you that competitive edge. If you are a company who is in the activewear business and you want to try to get people to buy your products, you are going to try to out-do Nike, Adidas and other similar brands on the market. Being different and refreshing catches a customer’s eye and enhances your chances of getting noticed. HIRE PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOU. Stability in the workplace is very important, but so is change. If no one ever changes, bad habits may continue. Age and diversity of employees are just as important. Taking it back to retail, the population you sell to is diversified with varying ethnic groups, male vs. female, and tastes. If you are the leader of an organisation and don’t actively get out of your comfort zone and hire people that are different from you, you’re destined to only make decisions that appeal to you, not other people. “There is nothing to hold you back, except yourself.” Sarah Jones
ABOUT SARAH Sarah Jones is the UK’s leading holistic lifestyle expert. Her clients include Lorraine Kelly and Anthea Turner among many others. Her motto is: “What consumes your mind controls your life.” For more information, please visit the official website at sarahjonesuk.com. Follow Sarah on estila Instagram @sarahjonesuk
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As you strive to achieve your dreams, you can count on there being some setbacks and disappointments. Don’t get discouraged, the road to your dreams may not be an easy one. Think of these challenges as tests of persistence and courage that life throws at you during your quest. They were necessary and were meant to help you grow as a person. Learn to adjust the sails of your life to unpredictable winds, while keeping your focus clear on your destination. by Sarah Jones - THE REINVENTION ISSUE -
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