Was just sending out invitations to the “First Ever” Nunabean Shop Official opening :)
Whilst writing the email I realised that I had not had time to sit down or stop even briefly to Thank everyone who has helped me along my little Journey with Nunabean, be it a small word of support or kindness, to investing time and money into helping me and all those who have purchased :)
So a little time-out on my also neglected blog to say THANK YOU to ALL those who have seen me to this point, I am grateful and blessed to have you in my life.
What started off as a hobby, running free workshops teaching unemployed women to sew on the weekend, and feeling sooo excited and emotional posting off our first pair of Nunabean pram shoes :) Drawing up my first business plans, realising I am surrounded by experts in their field, some of who happen to be friends and family :) And all I needed was to ask for a little help...and hard daily grind and elbow grease, of course ;)
When I was doubting myself or what I was doing, kind words, support, advice and those who believed in my potential always pushed me one step further. And then I knew I can't give up but to see this through and see where it all goes... life is a journey :)
Nunabean has grown organically and my learning graph is off the charts... no better life lessons like starting one's own business! And doing it right from the start... or at least TRYING! Learning about company registering and trademarking, bee certificates, HR, excel, Quickbooks, Sage Pastel... an infinity of information and processes to learn and implement!
Here a brief history of Nunabean to date with a few names who stood out, but not forgetting all those who surround me:
Starting around 2012, first a weekend hobby (with Judith who now runs the workshops and is my quality control) whilst still working in a full-time job (throwing in a part time business courses at UCT with my amazing mentors Max Kaizen and Elaine Rumboll); Advice from my inspiring, then neighbour and friend Anne Marie Bodal on making the product perfect and helping on the workshops; friends Guy Le Ray Cook and Sandy Da Silva on sculpting my first business plan; entering the web and social media with a single landing page to let the world know we exist (Thank You Guy Bedford), a mini website (Thank You Timothy Cuthbert) with a trade exchange for professional videography (Thanks You Nattie and Kim), being found by my angels and their generous investment and belief in the Nunabean brand (Thank You Gareth Quin and Simon Bray and their team) who developed my fully self-operational e-commerce website, to a 1 month test retail space at the Redshed with the CCDI a couple of months ago. And most importantly to my daily inspiration, the little Nuna herself. CFG, my brothers Dean and Martin, and always Mom and Dad.
Finally Nunabean is walking through the “retail” door! Excited to be part of the new V&A Watershed venture! We are now open 364 days a week, Sunday to Sunday, employ staff and have a full time credit card machine… all part of growing up :) The Nunabean brand has expanded and grown “little feet” of their own ;)
We are still "small", but watch this space :)
Hope to see you all at the opening!
Thursday, 30 October 2014, The Watershed, 17 Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
The Watershed is open daily from 10am!
The launch Party next Thursday, 30 October 2014, starts 6pm till around 7.30. Come browse over 360 brands, have something to eat and drink… and please pop by Nunabean sharing the space with Lovely Stuff. We are stand F018… look for the kiddies section, close to the FIELDS coffee vendor.
There will be light entertainment and media coverage organised by the V&A… it should be a goody :)
