The "In-between" Season Diary  #01

Welcome 'behind - the - scenes'!

As a summer brand it's always sad when summer comes to a close. The summer clothes and shoes stored away for next year. (Although this sunny warm weather at the moment is allowing for some extended espadrille wearing and l am very much here for it!). 

Southern Europe is still very much 'doing summer' and many people are off on city breaks and late summer holidays. Not to mention the lucky ones with exotic sunny destination holidays booked for half term and the Christmas holidays. So whilst it feels like the end of espadrille wearing here in the UK our shoe collection is available all year round. Shoes perfect for wearing on those sunny ocassions, whenever and wherever they may be.

Behind the scenes I am squirelling away. This time, between summer ending and the start of spring next year, I call the 'in-between season'.  For me it involves a lot of tea drinking and hours spent in front of the computer. Reviewing last summer along with plotting and planning for next year. Not to mention the dreaded paperwork, accounting and tax returns!

As a small business with a considered approach to production there won't be a whole new collection next summer. Sole of Summer is only, coming up to,18 months old. I have a long way to grow and so many new people to find and to introduce to my current limited edition shoe collection. It takes time and as l ride the rollercoaster of owning my own business l am learning to take it one step at a time and to lean in on my considered approach of limited editions and limited quanties of shoes produced rather than the fast fashion, new collection every year that we have grown custom to.

l am taking this time to research pop up events to potentially attend next year. I am teaching myself new marketing and social media tools to grow and be discovered. Finding opportunities to get out and meet my lovely followers and new customers, this part really excites me. I love the opportunity for people to see and try on the shoes and I especially love meeting you.

So this isn't a quiet 'off-season' for me. Whilst you might be thinking winter shoes and boots l am already thinking about events and marketing for next spring. Of summer Mediterranean holidays and sunny occasions when we can wear espadrille shoes again. From city breaks to horse racing from weddings to graduations and all those occasions that call for a comfy and glam shoe, that is not exactly the same as everyone elses shoes at the event!

This 'in-between season' I will be sharing a little behind the scenes of the world of an independent shoe business owner and a little bit of my 'real life' too, be sure to follow along.