Some of you may know that
I've been at the helm of Mod Dolly for 5 years now. It's been a massive
journey, building something that simply started as a hobby into an
international business. A journey that’s been really fulfilling but also
extremely stressful at the same time. While I'm grateful for how the business
has turned out and how it's grown, it’s never been my intention to run a busy
business for the rest of my life. Designing clothes is what makes me come alive
but, while running a business, it’s something I actually don't get time to do.
Instead I manage people, pack and ship orders, and answer customer queries.
While I understand this is part and parcel of running a business, I've come to
really dislike the day-to-day activities that my job requires me to do. When
you stop liking what you do it really curbs your motivation. That’s not what's
best for the brand, or the people who work within it.
Within the last couple of years Mod Dolly has become really busy
and as the team has expanded it’s become even more important that sales targets
are met to cover all our costs. While that’s obvious for any business, I’m just
not a sales person and, while we do have people to manage those things, the
responsibility and stress of it hangs over me every single day. It’s honestly
like a big black cloud following me around. Running a small business is
unpredictable from day to day, so even when we have an amazing week, I’m
constantly thinking about the next day and the day after and it’s made me into
a really anxious person.
I do consider Mod Dolly as a high-street priced business. It’s not
the cheapest, but £50 for a handmade dress, made in London, to me is a pretty
good deal. Now it’s not up to me to say how people should shop. I’m also a
bargain hunter, and if people can get things for less then they’re obviously a
really savvy shopper - so why not? However, I simply don’t want to run a
high-street brand, I would love to slow down my daily routine and be able to
work on something more meaningful that isn’t dictated by price or sales
targets. I want to create something that’s more of a passion project, with my
own name and at my own speed. I’m only 28 years old but even if I was 30 years
older, I’ve come to learn recently that it’s okay to change your path, at any
time in your life.
Life is extremely precious and very short, and I know I’m lucky to
have the chance to change my direction.
SO… I've decided to leave Mod Dolly and design for other brands,
alongside working on a 'slow fashion' namesake label and some creative projects
of my own. Mod Dolly will eventually be changing ownership and moving abroad.
While I can't announce any specific details about the future of the brand, it
will officially go on a break when the remaining stock has sold.
While I hope to embrace the change in my life, it still feels very
bittersweet! When you put your every bit of being into something that you end
up disliking, it's a hard pill to swallow. I admit that I really didn't like my
job and I'm definitely a different person today than I was 5 years ago.
Today my story is changing and I’m starting again. It’s a very
vulnerable position to be in as the brand has always been such a big part of my
identity and what people associate me with. I’m taking over the Instagram
account and expect a huge surge of people pressing the un-follow button, but
let me assure you that exciting things are to come!
I’m looking forward to designing garments that I truly love, ones
that aren’t limited by cost price. That’s not to say I’ll start pumping out £1000
dresses, but I’m definitely in the process of making plans to release a
beautiful line of clothing that I’ll be proud to put my name on.
Thanks for reading my essay! I thought I owed it to everyone who I’ve had the pleasure of working with and for all my loyal customers who have literally supported me for years! I hope you will all follow me on this new journey.
No comments
Post a Comment