the celebrations continue...

So far, 2011 has been a year of major milestones and continued achievements for us. Not only have we turned five years old, but for the third time in a row we won at the ECMOD Direct Commerce Awards last month, winning Best All Round Business and Brand. We were also listed in the The Telegraph Start-Up 100 list and were selected as an Official Honoree for the Retail category in The 15th Annual Webby Awards.

These awards help to highlight the outstanding hard work of all our sellers, who make notonthehighstreet.com the worthy award winning shopping experience that it is today. We’d like to thank them all and congratulate them on this deserved recognition of their achievements.

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 18 April 2011

we've been spoiled...

As many of you will know, we turned five years old last week and we were really spoiled by some of our sellers, who very kindly sent us gifts to celebrate. We were thrilled to receive a tin of beautiful birthday biscuits from Biscuiteers, who’s intricate personalised biscuits never fail to amaze us (one or two may have mysteriously disappeared prior to the above photo being taken).

3 Blonde Bears Ltd sent us a bespoke framed print which features illustrations of some of the things that can readily be found in our offices – cups of tea, printers, cake stands and, of course, gift tags.

We were also sent a set of The Letteroom’s bright letters to spell out our initials, which will be a cheerful addition to our reception area.

A big thank you to these lovely sellers for spoiling us – we had a brilliant week and can’t wait to start planning our 6th birthday!

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 11 April 2011

the story of Swings & Pretty Things

Our next partner story comes from Jayne at Swings & Pretty Things. Jayne sells a range of whimsical home and garden accessories and started her business in 2009.

“I started a business when I decided I wanted to do something for ‘me’. I started out selling purely garden and outdoor accessories which fitted in well with my love of the outdoors. Whilst setting up my business my husband was working away and I was working part time for my dad’s business so life was very hectic to say the least, it’s only ever that busy now in the run up to Christmas!

I have learnt a lot about retail since starting Swings & Pretty Things, especially with starting a business in a recession. The business has had to change to allow for this hence the addition to our product range to now include home accessories and gifts. Thankfully we are still here which I think is testament that we must be doing something right ! I still get that buzz when my Blackberry ‘pings’ a new order through, and I love the fact that someone loves our products as much as we do.

I am very proud of Swings & Pretty Things, and with the help of notonthehighstreet.com I want to continue to see the company grow and move forward – we’ve already had products in VOGUE and a product request from Vanity Fair, which I don’t think is too bad for a small company which was started from an idea over a glass of wine in my kitchen!”

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 06 April 2011

the story of rosiebull designs

This week we’re celebrating turning five years old, but we also wanted to celebrate the success of our sellers. We’re so proud of how they’ve developed their small, creative businesses, and can’t wait to see how they grow over the next five years and beyond. The first story we’re sharing is from Gina, creator of rosiebull designs.

“I’ve always loved sewing, ever since I was a child. I used to watch my mum sew on her old Singer sewing machine. In fact my business, ‘rosiebull designs’ is named after her! Ever since then I have made bits and pieces and sold them here and there, but it had always been just a hobby, alongside my day job as a teaching assistant. My dream was always to have my own business that enabled me to do it full time and work from home.

I decided to apply to join notonthehighstreet.com in the hope that this may enable my dream to become a reality, and to reach a wider audience. After being with notonthehighstreet.com for a few months, I was asked to be a part of the Winter/Christmas Gift Guide and developed a product for it. Within 11 days of the catalogue reaching customers I had handed in my notice at work, and was working full time from home.

Being part of notonthehighstreet.com has completely transformed my life, and has proved to me that dreams do come true! I am now doing something I love, with a company that will allow me to grow and develop my business, and for that I am eternally grateful”

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 06 April 2011