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LadyM Meets Hayley Southwood of Southwood Stores

LadyM Meets Hayley Southwood of Southwood Stores December 7, 2015Lifestyle0 Comments

Instagram is my addiction. There, I’ve said it. Not for the requirement to feel “liked” or “followed” merely that I find so many interesting, creative, entrepreneurial people to follow that I feel it has opened up my mind to the wider world.

One of those such great finds on Instagram is Gray by Southwood Stores, a label that has a mix of inspiration, self gratitude, amazing home-ware and a sense of togetherness, celebrating strong women. Entrepreneurial owner Hayley Southwood has a truly awesome social story.

LadyM Meets Hayley Southwood of Southwood Stores

Hayley lost her mum to cancer when they were both far too young, stricken by grief, the idea to buy a vintage ice-cream van from eBay started a new dream, a venture that allowed her to live for the moment and create her own bubble of happiness. Vintage Scoops was born in 2010. Amazing artisan ice-cream that made a great impression at weddings and events. Hayley grew her business by self-taught social media skills. Mrs Scoops and her vintage ice cream van have featured in over 100 publications including YOU magazine and Country Homes.

Three years later Hayley felt better about life and wanted her weekends back. This was time to re-invent herself and move on to pastures new, with a large following on social media Hayley launched a blog, Breathe Happiness. Whilst blogging Hayley was racking her brains trying to come up with another business idea that could draw on the experience and knowledge she had gained.

With a passion for styling and a love of the creative world she decided to curate a collection of quirky home-wares and clothing that you couldn’t find on the high street. In August 2013 Hayley announced she was going to launch Southwood Stores. Two years on Hayley still uses social media platforms to sell and market her brand and ideas and is always looking forwards to the next thing…

So I took some time to ask Hayley my usual LadyM Meets interview questions:

Q. What is a typical working day for you?

I love being self employed and having flexibility to choose my own working hours. No day is ever quite the same for me and I feel very grateful for that. I always make sure I squeeze in some exercise and some time with my mentors. Being inspired by other amazing people is really important to me. I have a beautiful lodge in my garden where I spend my day, wrapping and sorting orders, emails etc. I have a lovely lady who comes along and helps me sort out all the paperwork and accounts (stuff I find boring!)
Q. Have you seen the fashion and homeware industry change in the last few years? Have you had to adapt?

Of course ! That is the best bit about my job, I love adapting and I am always on the look out for the next wave of a trend. I love change. Change excites me tremendously My work life is all about adapting and creating new opportunities. I love to support other women in business too. I have a private group on Facebook called the conversational where women can ask anything they like without feeling inadequate. Share ideas and celebrate their achievements no matter what size.

Q. What’s the most rewarding part of your work? What is your greatest accomplishment so far?

I feel like a tree with many branches that will just keep on growing. I never stand still , tell me it is not possible and I will try and find a way it is. I have started all of my businesses with no funding, no loans and a tiny bank balance! Anything is possible!!!

My biggest achievements to date:

Being a Mum to two really well balanced teenage boys, still being madly in love with my husband after being together since we were 15 and 17
Setting up a boutique nursery school with my friend when I was 25 (that business is still blooming)
My social media sessions I teach, passing on tips and things I have learnt is so rewarding
Of course opening my shop 2013 and launching GRAY July of this year.

Q. What is next for you? What are your goals for 2016 ?

I have decided that 2016 is going to be my year, I will celebrate my 40th birthday and I have lots of exciting projects up my sleeve. My main goals are to contain growing my shop and my label GRAY. I have plans to work with a couple of amazing women where we will create unique style workshops for women who are looking to change their lives. A book may be cooking with my blog partner Shaneen and our blog.

I love life and have created my own work life that I adore.

Bonus Question – if you didn’t do the job you do now – what would be your dream job and where?

I cannot really answer this, I love what I do so much and I know it will always keep changing, that is the BEST bit xx

There is so much positive energy exuding from Hayley’s instagram accounts, the blog and her online Gray by Southwood Stores. You must follow her, I think something big will happen for 2016 and Hayley Southwood will be leading the way in inspiring women in business and in life.

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Tags: Breathe Happiness, Gray by Southwood Stores, Hayley Southwood, Rosewarne Cox Photography, Soutwood Stores