Small Biz 100 - Louise Claire Millinery

Louise Claire Millinery Ltd is based in Wallingford, Oxfordshire.

"We are an independent business based in St Marys Street Wallingford. This boutique sells and hires hats and fascinators in myriad colours and styles, from a range exceeding 1000 elegant and striking items. The friendly team showcase their bespoke millinery alongside those of other top milliners, plus all kinds of everyday formal head wear.

All the bespoke items are hand-finished and there are also seasonal casual hats for both ladies and gents. The business is in its 12th year at its current location, having been in Wallingford for 22 years. The company loves being independent and unique, priding itself on that all-important personal service. Staff will happily arrange out-of-hours group bookings for major events such as weddings or a trip to Royal Ascot. Customers include not only locals, but also those visiting from across the UK and indeed all over the world, including Hong Kong, Chicago, Dubai and New York.

I think it is important that small business owners have the opportunity to enhance their practices and share ideas with others. The idea of being able to attend Small Business Saturday seminars in person and virtually is very appealing. It will also give us the opportunity to see how other businesses use other social media to promote themselves. Whilst we already work with many local independent retailers from the Bridal Shop to Boutiques across to the local dry cleaners, being a part of Small Biz 100 will open up our services to other small business, as well as making us aware of what others have to offer.

Aside from giving the extra discount on Small Business Saturday, we intend to use Social media such as Twitter and Facebook to promote the idea of small business Saturday. We will use various visual promotion materials in the shop. We will approach the local press to get them down on the day!

Running a small business means a unique opportunity to provide a very personal service without the constraints of corporate restrictions.

We work very closely with quite a few local businesses, who we promote including another local milliner who we pass customers to when our books are full or we believe that her skills are better suited to the customers needs. They of course treat us in the same way. We continue to be part of Wallingford business partnership which is made up of small local business. We work with others to promote specialist shopping days to bring us all together. We ourselves shop locally whenever possible, our stationary is printed by a local printer, hat stands manufactured locally, signage made locally, in essence as much as possible is sourced from local business and has been for many years."

Website: www.louiseclairemillinery.co.uk
Twitter: @L_C_Millinery
Facebook: LouiseClaireMillinery