ELLIE’S PLACE

Bring it on!

Are you wondering what 2022 is going to be like? Are you worrying about coping when the tsunami of fittings happens this spring/summer? You’re not alone, says Ellie Sanderson, who is in planning mode

It’s fair to say most retailers I speak to feel the same way. We have just been through two years of massive uncertainty.

We’ve not known if we are coming or going during this time. We have had some strong months, some average months, and some months when we were running to keep up with sales and fittings. We have had to change direction, shift priorities, recruit and train new people – frankly I feel stressed just typing that.

But, we can’t complain. Busy shops are what we all hoped for this time last year, and busy shops are what we had right up until we closed for Christmas. Frankly, we all deserve a huge pat on the back for surviving 2021.

So, onwards we march into 2022, which I believe will be a solid year for us all. However, I also firmly believe that there is a ceiling on what we can financially achieve in 2022 and we will need to plan our cash flow wisely.

Our turnover ceiling will be capped on a number of levels: • We will see wedding venues hit capacity, and many have reported that they are already fully booked for next year. Clearly, this will force the newly engaged couples into 2023. But the ceiling is there for 2022. • Our supply chain will hit capacity levels and have serious struggles to fulfill orders. Many suppliers have already removed “rush order options”, with others unable to produce in under six months. This is particularly noticeable in the luxury end of the market, but not exclusive as many manufacturers are having the same issues. ➢• Registrars across the UK are reporting that they are fully booked at the weekends for 2022 and now only able to take weekday bookings for the year; this, too, will put a cap on the number of weddings for 12 months ahead. ➢• Photographers and florists are booked up for 2022 already, as are hair and makeup artists, and bands. A chunk of their business is rescheduled from 2020/2021 into 2022, again creating a cap on what they can offer. • Independent seamstresses have started to hit capacity levels as most of us are looking at enormous numbers for May, June and July 2022. Unquestionably, there will be a ceiling in 2022 and so it is a year to make sure that you don’t commit financially to things you can’t unpick. Keep your business nimble in terms of costs, and always remain flexible. Think about this Our current state of over-trading is not sustainable, and I believe the factors listed above, which are largely outside our businesses, will cap our turnover. However, brides that cannot fit into 2022 will be spread into 2023. All in all, we will be looking at 24 months of good trade, but careful planning of our cashflow is crucial. Now is the time for strategising, and creating a plan for 2022/23. I am drafting up my battle plan this week as I want to make sure everyone on my payroll

I firmly believe that there is engaged in it and accountable is a ceiling on what we can for it. I have my financially achieve in 2022, annual ‘planning day’ with my and we will need to plan team booked in our cash flow wisely. for the second week in January when everyone is fresh and open to new ideas. One very important part of my battle plan is self-care. Maintaining a work/life balance is not easy. You don’t always have someone to hand over to, and it’s so easy to bring work home and just keep going, but if we are to survive we must

look after ourselves. I used to see people hit burnout in my corporate job and it’s hard to come back from; avoidance is the key.

Self-care has always been a vital part of my business life.

Here are my ten tips for achieving and maintaining a healthy work/ life balance, and I intend to take my own advice and achieve all ten this year.

In no particular order:

1. Plan your days off and holidays months ahead and make them known to everyone. I do this up to six months in advance so my team knows when I am in and available for them or brides (and when I am not).

It also gives you some boundaries and something to look forward to.

2. Have set work hours and stick to them. I am rigid with this: I work in three locations with my business and I have set days and set hours.

It helps my girls, my suppliers and even my mother to know exactly where I am! It also helps me to work more efficiently when I know where

I am going. The location thing may not be your challenge, but routine hours are good to have. time’ Monday and Friday afternoons and they feel so decadent. My team knows not to call unless there’s an emergency – they respect my time out and I do theirs.

4. Talk to the experts Plan time every month with the experts in your business to make sure you are on track. I have a monthly meeting with my accountant, a 30-minute zoom to update him, and for him to flag things with me. I always feel better when we have spoken. I speak weekly to my bookkeeper, too.

5. Make time to talk to one other retailer every week (I do this on

Friday mornings). I talk to people outside of bridal as well as insiders, and I promise I walk away every week with one golden nugget.

Talking is so vital for personal growth. Here’s my number if you fancy a chat about business (on a

Friday morning): 07817 353 089.

6. Network, connect and learn. Join groups to learn but limit your time spent absorbing and only take the good stuff; walk away from negative downbeat people.

3. Plan ‘me time’ when you are not at work – time for the gym, time to go for a walk, time to relax away from phones, time without people making demands on you. Trust me you will be 100 times more effective and happier. I have ‘me 7. I have a weekly meeting with myself to plan my goals for the week. I also have monthly meetings to check I am on track with my annual plan. It’s healthy to see what you’ve achieved. Keep reminding yourself how far you’ve come! 8. Manage your mind. This is different from ‘me time’. This is for those of us who permanently strive for perfection, are driven to be the best and can spend whole evenings staring at other retailers’ websites or

IG accounts convinced they are so much better than yours. Trust me, most are smoke and mirrors – focus on your own shizz.

9. Positive affirmations. In the front of my notepad I have five business things that I am proud to have achieved. I read them daily, especially if I have fallen off the wagon and tortured myself looking at someone else’s IG account.

10 Be kind to everyone. Always. (This is work in progress for me as I don’t suffer fools lightly.)

I refer to this list of ten (I have 15, as I have a few other personal ones), to keep on track. It’s okay to fall off for a week or two, but then get back on it. 2022 is going to be incredible, and while I have a little twinge of nerves in my stomach, I am also deeply excited to be planning such a landmark year in my business. And I am repeating what I said earlier – don’t commit to things you can’t unpick – be nimble and flexible and keep your eye on your cash flow, this year especially.