Hello 2021 & Goodbye 2020!

By Lisa Berry, owner of Cheeky Little Prints. Cheeky Little Prints helps you capture your pet’s unique paw print with an easy to use inkless paw print kit that can be posted to you at home. Your furbaby’s paw print can be showcased in stunning sterling silver jewellery as well as personalised paw print stamps and gifts.

As the year starts to turn – how are you feeling about 2021?

I am feeling optimistic about 2021, I think most people are ready to begin a brand new year and there is hope that 2021 will be a smoother ride than 2020 has been.  I think there will still be tough times ahead, covid-19 is still very much around and we must continue to be careful and I think it will impact businesses for many months to come yet but I am hoping it will ease as we go through those months.  I have lots of positive things to look forward to with the business so I believe 2021 will be an exciting year.

What are your business goals for the coming year?

2021 will be a year where I focus on growth and scaling up the business whilst continuing to offer excellent customer care, as I always have done. Systemisation will be continued to improve efficiency and free up time for more marketing and new product development.

Will you be introducing any new products or services?  

Yes, the first of those will be a brand new range of jewellery incorporating pet fur and cremation ashes. Once the initial designs have been finalised and samples created this new collection of jewellery be launched in early 2021.  I am hoping to launch further new products later on in the year all being well. 

Will you be looking to employ any new staff during the new year?

I am not looking to employ any new staff at the moment but am always looking to collaborate with other businesses, pet related businesses in particular like groomers, vets, pet shops etc.

Will you be looking for any new local suppliers in 2021?  

I may be looking for some new suppliers later on in 2021 depending on where the new product development takes me but currently, I have a very good set of suppliers around me.

Are you looking to invest in yourself as a business owner or company director for 2021 in any way?  

I continually invest in personal development in the form of books and online courses/webinars particularly in areas of marketing and this will continue in 2021. I have been increasing my skill set in SEO and blogging this year and that will be further continued in 2021. I will be pushing myself and the business forward with the help of the group coaching programme I am enrolled in as well.

Looking back across 2020 – name 3 highlights for you and your business?

1. My first highlight is surviving the lockdowns and months of home schooling whilst still running a business, it’s a big achievement, particularly as a single mum and I would say achieving this is definitely a highlight along with my family and friends have kept safe and well thankfully.

2. My second highlight has been the continued support my customers have shown me, particularly past customers returning to order more jewellery and keepsakes as well as all of the wonderful new customers I have helped this year.

3. My third highlight has to be discovering the Director Development Academy Coaching group run by Jenny Hardman, which has really helped me push the business forward.  I am very much looking forward to continuing this in 2021 and beyond.

Looking back across 2020 – were there any lowlights?  

Having trouble getting some of my stock was a lowlight in 2020, especially around April/May time. I managed by finding new suppliers and keeping an eye on websites for when things came back in stock and then ensuring I stocked up enough when I could. I stocked up in preparation for Christmas much earlier than usual just in case, which was a wise thing to do considering the later lockdowns we needed to implement.

Who, in your business community have been shining stars of 2020?  

1. Fiona Scott at Scott Media is always positive and so helpful.  This year has been tough for everyone, yet Fiona still kept showing up, she provided amazing training webinars to help small businesses and has been super helpful, which is lovely to see and helps keep your spirits up. She also works with my other supportive media partner Total Guide to Swindon! 

2. Rob Curtis at SmarterMedia and Kevin Sanders of Sanders WebWorks have been superstars assisting me when I had some technical website problems.  SmarterMedia held several really helpful and informative webinars earlier in the year on SEO and I learned such a lot of valuable information.

3. Jenny Hardman has been amazing this year and has helped me make big progress with the business. 

And finally:

A big thank you to all the businesses and business owners who have helped me this year including those mentioned, Total Guide To and so many more. Thank you to all of my customers who have continued to support Cheeky Little Prints this year, it is hugely appreciated. I can’t wait to get started on 2021.

For more information visit www.cheekylittleprints.co.uk