In this episode of the Start Scale Succeed podcast, We delve into the world of entrepreneurship with the inspiring story of Lucy, the founder of Acorn and Pip. Lucy has successfully run her family concept store, navigating the complexities of retail in challenging times. With nearly 100,000 Instagram followers and a thriving business model that includes a retail store, cafe, and an online presence, Lucy shares insights into the importance of community, innovation, and authentic customer service. Join us as we explore how Lucy has managed to keep her business resilient and profitable, overcoming obstacles such as the impact of COVID-19, Brexit, and economic pressures. Some of the key areas discussed are 1.The Birth of Acorn and Pip: Lucy started Acorn and Pip as a pop-up store while on maternity leave, evolving into a family concept store with retail, hospitality, and online arms. Navigating Retail Challenges: Overcoming significant obstacles like Brexit and the post-COVID market crash, Lucy emphasises the importance of adapting and enhancing customer service. Her cafe became a lifesaver during tough times, highlighting the value of diverse revenue streams. Community-Centric Approach: Lucy discusses the power of hosting events to engage and serve the community, creating a space that’s more than just a shop. Her strategy revolves around building relationships and providing a meaningful experience for customers. Financial and Growth Strategies: She delves into the significance of financial planning, cash flow management, and creating an uplift strategy to boost sales, offering actionable advice for fellow business owners. Coaching and Mentoring: Lucy also helps other entrepreneurs through her coaching initiative, sharing her knowledge on marketing, inventory control, and more, fostering a supportive community for business growth. Lucy Haslam - Founder Family Concept store Acorn & Pip Acorn & Pip is a lifestyle brand that offers cherished customers more than just a product. They are devoted to creating a playful retail experience rooted in mindfulness and authenticity. https://acornandpip.com/ https://www.instagram.com/acornandpip/ https://www.coachingwithlucy.co.uk/ Host Nicole Higgins The Buyer and retail coach Nicole Higgins Links https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Nicole Higgins is an award-winning retail consultant with over 20 years of experience in the industry, having worked as a buyer with blue-chip companies such as Primark and M&S across multi-product categories from Bras to Beauty Her journey in the corporate world has equipped her with a wealth of knowledge and insights that she now dedicates to empowering startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their journey to growth, profit and scalability. Nicole specialises in guiding businesses through the intricacies of start-up, strategy, sourcing and product development. Her keen understanding of market dynamics allows her to provide tailored solutions that drive success in today's competitive landscape. Major television networks turn to her for her insights and guidance in retail programs. Her practical and results-oriented approach has made her a sought-after collaborator in the media industry, where she contributes her expertise to help shape compelling narratives for retail-focused content. Host Nicole Higgins The Buyer and retail coach Nicole Higgins Links https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Sponsor Neon Digital Clicks Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns. Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of. Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth. If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck. https://runwaytoresults.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/
