F e a t u r e s
venture together is that we can support each other through the ups and downs of running a business, and through the problems and hardships that RAF life brings. For example, because our husbands are on different crews, they tend to be away at different times. So when Steve’s away and I’m busier caring for the children and running the household, Josie can take up any extra work that I don’t have time for, and vice versa.”
Josie agrees, “Working in partnership means that you can be self-employed, yet you still have that element of sociability to your work. That’s especially important when your husband is away and there is a danger that the only conversation you’ll have is with small children and the dog!”
Despite the negative, and often inaccurate, reports in the national press, the Nimrod fleet based at RAF Kinloss is still extremely busy with maritime patrol and reconnaissance exercises and operations around the UK and overseas. Josie reveals, “When they are home, they fly night and day, and are regularly on stand-by to fly with an hour’s notice. Gulf detachments are 6-12 weeks at a time, at least twice a year, and there are many other exercises and training missions that take them away from home. Neither of us have family living close by, so supportive friendships are very important, and an understanding business partner even more so!”
Josie explains how the idea to sell ethically- traded homewares, stationery, clothes and accessories developed: “We sat down together and wrote a list of our skills and strengths. To start with, all we came up with was shopping! But then we thought, what better way to indulge our shopping urges than by researching and sourcing wonderful products. After all, we know what we are talking about!”
our mail order goods in, and the post office in our village gives me their old bubble-wrap!”
“As for the ‘green’ angle, we hope that our own personal ethical attitudes to retail will appeal to a wider consumer conscience. We work with suppliers who share our ideology of fair trade, and our product range has expanded to include not just ethically-traded items, but organic cotton clothing, and recycled stationery and gifts.”
Moreover, Josie and Caroline’s ethical and eco-friendly beliefs apply to every aspect of the business, not just the goods they sell. Caroline says, “It’s surprising how much
Although their online customer base is UK-wide, Caroline and Josie actively participate in local community events, too. Josie explains, “The Little Green Gift Shop is more than an online store and we have taken stalls at a few craft fairs since we launched last November. They’ve been great fun, and it gives us a chance to meet our customers and get feedback on our products.”
A particular hit is the Sheep Poo Paper range of stationery which is – you guessed – paper made from sheep droppings. Josie enthuses, “It’s the ultimate green product as it’s made – quite literally – from waste! Bizarrely, we’re always asked where is comes from (Welsh sheep if you must know) and no, it doesn’t smell!”
This summer, Caroline and Josie plan on taking their ‘Little Green Gift Stand’ to Highland Games gatherings across Moray, the Nairn Farmers Show, RAF Leuchars and Lossiemouth Air Shows and to local school fetes.
time and effort it takes researching the green credentials of everything we do – for example, we spent months trying to source 100 per cent recycled business cards.”
All gift wrap and gift cards are recycled, packaging boxes are reused and bubble wrap is biodegradable. Josie explains: “We all know we should reduce, reuse and recycle, but how many of us apply these principles to our daily lives? It was important to us that our business respects these ideals. People think I’m mad when I collect boxes from local shops to package
As for the rest of the year, this enterprising duo has some exciting additions to their green gift range. Josie concludes, “This summer we’ll be launching brilliant new stationery products, as well as some lovely fair trade homewares from small South American artisans. We’ll be developing new aspects to the business too come the Autumn, so watch this space!”
To view the duo’s website go to: www.
thelittlegreengiftshop.co.uk or telephone 07735 581149.
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk
Summer 2009
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