Exactly ten years ago, Jo Barber, owner of No, 14 Ampthill in Bedfordshire, took a leap of faith by opening her first shop with no retail experience whatsoever. This week, she was delighted to celebrate the gift shop’s 10th anniversary!
“I love buying gifts and sending cards and had always wanted to venture into the industry,” Jo told GiftsandHome.net. “When a good friend received a life changing diagnosis, I knew I had to go for it. That conversation happened on the Saturday, I resigned from my job – as a regional sales manager for Volvo – on the Wednesday, and spent my three months’ notice period finding premises, suppliers and shed loads of courage!”
Initially, Jo focused on stationery items. “But while I love stationery and paper goods, I soon realised it wasn’t for everyone, so when we moved to bigger premises, after trading for 18 months, we introduced gifts to our offering and that’s when the business really took off. It’s important to listen to what customers want, after all, they’re the reason you open every day.”
A highlight of the past ten years has been winning a Retas Award (sister retail awards to The Greats Awards) which are organised by Progressive Gifts & Home’s sister magazine Progressive Greetings. “We were the new kids on the block, I was surprised anybody had heard of us, let alone nominated us. I went along for the experience and truly didn’t expect to win – not in a million years. I still smile when I remember my name being read out. I just sat there clapping, then I realised it was me! To a fledgling business, it was a momentous feeling.”
So how is Jo celebrating the shop’s 10th anniversary? “The original plan was to do an offer in store, but having been closed for so long, I don’t feel it would have made us any busier. Instead, we’ll save it for one of our quieter months during the summer. Meanwhile, the response on social media to our 10th anniversary has been amazing! There have been so many messages and kind words this week.”
Top: Jo Barber in her shop, No. 14 Ampthill just before Christmas 2020. Jo was interviewed by ITV News about the rising infection rates and how the pandemic was affecting her business.
