It’s Indie Friday! This week’s guest: Elizabeth Stiles, creative sales coach
Posted on 3rd June 2022
Every Friday, I will share with you an interview asking independent champions to share with us their love for small brands and indie shops. This week’s Small Business star is creative sales coach extraordinaire, Elizabeth Stiles. Have a read!
If you are interested in sharing your love for indie, please contact Geraldine.
Please introduce yourself and tell us what you’re up to at the moment
Hi I’m Elizabeth and I’m a creative sales coach helping small businesses convert their followers into customers through strategic content planning & learning how to sell (without selling their soul… it is possible I promise!).
I live in the countryside & I’m a bit of a nana to be honest! So you can often find me walking my boxer dog Smokey or crocheting granny squares whilst watching Strictly or Gogglebox!
Photo: Megan Gisborne
Please tell us why you love shopping with independent businesses
The reason why I love shopping with small businesses is twofold! If I’m being completely straight up with you I absolutely love having bragging rights when I’m out with my friends and telling people I bought something from a super cool new brand that not many people have heard of! 😉 And then I also love going on to tell my friends that brand’s story and spreading their message for them 😊 .
This is why it’s so important for small businesses to share their story / journey on their insta & website so that their customers can share it for them too by word of mouth.
Have you got favourite indie makers and brands you’d like to share with us?
My list of favourite indie makers and small businesses is endless!
For example I recently bought some facial oils from a small brand called The Glowcery… I tell anyone who’ll listen about how great they are, the fact that they’re made locally to me and the difference I can see in my skin!
My best friend from uni recently started a scandi inspired kidswear brand called Lucky & Grey which is absolutely beautiful! Unfortunately it’s *so* gorgeous that a big supermarket pinched one of Amber’s designs but the small business community got right behind her which is always great to see! She’s also recently opened a store in the Midlands which I can’t wait to visit.
I’ve recently made an order with Tessa @ The Stationer who designs & sources THE COOLEST stationery you’ve ever seen! I was so excited for my delivery to arrive and it was great to meet her IRL @ the national stationery show recently – I’ve really missed chatting to people outside of my DM’s!
Do you visit markets regularly? If so, please let us know which ones and why you love them?
Yes I’m a sucker for an independent market! I know Therese at Small Business Collaborative recently shared about The Bedford Flea which is also my favourite because we live so close to each other 😊 I’d also suggest checking out Creative Babes Club for a beautifully curated mix of brands that are irresistible… I spent a small fortune with them over lockdown! haha
I think it can be pretty simple to host a market but what makes it special is the eye for commercial product and curating it with a particular customer in mind. A South London Makers Market and Coal Drops Market do this really well too!
About Elizabeth
Elizabeth Stiles is a creative sales coach with 15 years experience in the retail industry working for the likes of Next, New Look, River Island & Urban Outfitters.
She’s incredibly passionate about helping creatives make more money in their business to become financially independent! For the past 3 years she has focused on launching & scaling independent brands including Olive & Frank and Lucy & Yak.
The Visibility Project
If you’re a bit lost with your Instagram at the moment and would like to find out more about converting your followers into customers then come and join the waitlist for Elizabeth’s best selling course called The Visibility Project as doors are opening for enrolment very soon!
Find Elizabeth on Instagram @elizabethstilesuk or at www.elizabethstiles.co.uk/
Author: Mandy Stephens
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