Wow, what an incredible few weeks it has been. First the wedding (amazing, so much fun!) and then the honeymoon (dreamy, wonderful) and now my new husband has quit his job to work for Do What You Love!!!
I have so much to tell you, and so much exciting news to share, but I am going to do it bit by bit.
Firstly – my new name! I am now called Mrs Beth Kempton! I think it will take me a couple of years to get used to it…
I hope you will excuse me if I am a little self-indulgent over the next few weeks, sharing lots of pictures from our honeymoon in Italy and then of the big day itself (those pictures are due in the next couple of weeks – can’t wait!).
It was such a treat to take 5 weeks off to focus on this precious time, and I look forward to reflecting on all the details of it on this blog over the coming weeks.
We have a brand new website and lots more exciting news coming in June, but until then, forgive me for making this place wedding central!
There are some times in life that are so precious they just have to be savoured, for as long as possible. Getting married is one of them, which is why I have decided to take five weeks off work to enjoy every moment of my upcoming wedding and honeymoon.
“What will she be wearing?” they all asked
I am so grateful that Do What You Love gives me the flexibility to do this. Please know that the team is still here to support everyone involved in our courses, and we will still be blogging over the next few weeks (if a little less regularly) – and then I will be back with photos of hand made loveliness, tales of romantic adventures and a brand new name! (Along with a LOT of exciting changes and new things to share with you…)
As I am sure you know, today is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate what women bring to the world, and highlight the challenges faced by women in all walks of life.
When I worked at UNICEF this was a day to bring attention to the important role of women in society, and to highlight the fact that women all over the world are still abused, denied education and other human rights, and held back from their true potential.
Young girls I met on a UNICEF field visit to Azerbaijan back in 2007. By now they may be mothers themselves, or have left school to work. I wonder what their lives are like these days?
It is often said in the developing world that “If you educate a man you educate a man. If you educate a woman, you educate a family.” I love men, but women definitely do have a very special way to form bonds with others, nurture those around them and to tap into their intuition and use it as a tool for good. At UNICEF, and in many other organisations and communities all over the world, women are helping women build (or rebuild) lives, families and societies. And that is something to celebrate.
Today I also want to take a moment to celebrate YOU – each one of you…
… who plays so many roles in so many people’s lives
… who loves and nutures those around you
…who offers a shoulder to cry on, or a warm hug just when it is needed
…who encourages others to dream by chasing your own dreams
…who digs deep and shows courage, bravely carving new paths
…who recognises that IT IS UP TO EACH OF US
…who shows your daughters, granddaughters, mothers, sisters, friends that it is OK to create the life you want
…who chooses, every day, how to be in this world, with kindness, laughter and light
Why not reach out to a special woman in your life and tell her what she means to you today?
Today’s shared story comes from Sonam Sapra, a textile designer based in Fiji, who shares the truth about doing what you love can sometimes be hard work (but never hard).
The standard of entries for our second Print & Pattern Design Scholarship was so high that we decided to give away TWO full scholarships, each worth nearly $1000. And the winners are…
Congratulations both of you! We will be in touch with details of your prize – a place on all three modules of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design. We cannot wait to see what you create, and watch how the course helps you take your careers to the next level.
Huge thanks to Marie Perkins of Print & Pattern for supporting this scholarship and finalising our winners!
Our third (and biggest ever) issue of MOYO Magazine. Issue 3 is out now! You can see it here. It includes:
Amy Butler on the business of design
Talking fashion and fabric with Josephine Kimberling
Behind the scenes at the Home Show
A new DIY column from Lil Blue Boo
Announcement of the winner of our Print & Pattern Scholarship
…and much more!
Please help us spread the word about this free magzine by sharing it on Facebook and Tweeting about it (@surfacepatternd #moyomagazine). Please also feel free to blog about it or share it in your newsletter and inspire even more people to dive into the exciting world of surface pattern design!
The co-owner of the lovely shop where I found my perfect dress is being featured in a documentary TV programme on ITV on Thursday! Margaret Spencer and her team made my bridesmaid Heather and I so welcome when we first went in to try dresses, and the whole experience was a special one. Having had a vastly different experience in some snooty big name bridal shops in London, and having made the difficult decision to not go with the designer I originally chose, our time at Abigail’s Bridal Boutique in Leeds was a pleasure from start to finish – and we even left with a bottle of bubbly to take home and savour while we reflected on a fabulous day of shopping.
Margaret Spencer, co-owner of Abigail’s, stars on ‘The Wedding Shop’ on ITV this week
I also love that Margaret pursued her dream in her late fifties, investing her pension in creating this lovely shop, and starting her business when others her age are thinking about retirement. That takes guts, and I think it is brilliant. My own dress has been made for me and is waiting in the shop for my final fitting in a couple of weeks’ time (eek, bettter get down the gym…).
Of course that is a big secret, but for now I just wanted to share a few words from Margaret who is definitely a woman doing what she loves.
Dresses from the shop (I’m not giving away any clues about my own!).
1. How are you doing what you love?
I help brides make their wedding day special by helping them find a dress that they can fall in love with, and enjoy every moment of the experience on the way.
2. What makes your bridal boutique different?
I am absolutely committed to extraordinary customer service for every single bride. Purchasing your wedding gown should be a special experience, and I treat my brides as if they were my own daughters.
3. How did you get to be doing this?
I managed Confetti and Lace (the shop featured in the programme) for many years until the owner Abbi shared that she wanted to open a shop in Leeds City Centre. This was a massive a-ha moment for me, when I realised this could be my opportunity to work for myself and create the shop of my dreams. I invested my pension and Abbi and I became partners. I part-own and manage the shop, and I truly believe we have created the best bridal house in the area.
Margaret (centre) with her lovely team Jacki (left) and Jo
4. What challenges did you face along the way?
Finding the right premises was tough. We tracked all the available shops in Leeds, and found one which we really wanted but it had just been let. It was so disappointing as it was ideal. We had no choice but to look elsewhere and were just about to sign the lease on an alternative place when the original one came back on the market – it was meant to be! Funnily enough it is owned by the council – I was brought up in a council house and never thought I would end my days back in council property, but the premises are perfect! All I wanted was a thick black carpet and a beautiful girlie bathroom for customers. The rest fell into place.
Another major challenge was finding the right team. My gut feeling was to employ friends I knew and trusted. Many people advised me against taking on friends but I went ahead and they have been perfect.
5. What have you learned in the process?
I learn something new about people every day! One thing I know for sure is that although times are changing, girls still want the fairy tale and I’m there to help.
Margaret has been featured in every national TV magazine this week!
6. How do you feel about being on TV?
This week my face has been in every TV magazine and I simply can’t believe it – I’m famous at 58! I started work 43 years ago at the tender age of 15, and never expected this to happen to me. Back then I wanted to be a window dresser in Carnaby Street but my boss said I was wasted in a window and encouraged me to be customer-facing. I am so pleased that she did! I sold my first wedding gown in 1972 and I have always kept the passion for it. My dream is to have the best bridal house in Yorkshire – and I think we are well on the way!
I am grateful for the wonderful experience I had in Margaret’s new shop Abigail’s (not the one shown in the documentary) and wish her and her team the best of luck building her new business!
**UPDATE**
The Wedding Shop aired on ITV at 9pm on Thursday 28 Feb. You can watch it here:
Just found out I have been awarded a place in the ‘Top 42 under 42′ entrepreneurs in Yorkshire! This is a real honour in a region buzzing with start ups and exciting new businesses. These awards recognise ‘rising stars of business’ in the region, so I am looking forward to meeting all the other winners soon!
Thanks to my awesome collaborators Kelly Rae Roberts, Rachael Taylor and Lilla Rogers for their part in Do What You Love’s explosive growth, which has allowed us to help thousands of women all over the world to do what they love!
