Firm now reaches across the globe
NOMINATIONS are now open for the 2018 Rossendale Business Awards - and a former winner is blazing a global trail.
Haslingden store Ruby and Daisy lifted the Independent Retailer title at last year’s ceremony, after being nominated by a customer.
When friends Louise Buckley and Helena Hoyle opened their clothing business in Deardengate in 2013, they named it after their daughters Ruby and Daisy, who were in primary school.
The company restructured in 2016 and rewrote the business plan and goals, including a focus on online, leading to dramatic growth.
They now boast customers in Australia, Thailand and all over America, as well as the UK and Europe.
Helena said: “We have always prided ourselves on our customer service and that extends not just to faceto-face clients, but to those we serve online.
“We now have three partners because uncensored reviewer Antonella Brollini has come on board. She is a social media celebrity with 1.4 million followers, has a contract with the BBC and an Agony Aunt slot in Chat Magazine. She has helped to take our business to an international platform and the growth has been massive. We have just taken on our 16th employee and now have our own marketing department.”
The mantra for the business remains ‘real clothing for real women’ and it offers sizes from 6 to 32.
Helena added: “We identified a business need, which is why we opened Room Deardengate as it was something to enhance the town.
“If people show faith in a town then it helps to improve it for everyone.
“We do shows on social media when we use real people as our models and we also champion what is available across Rossendale. Our shows have been known to reach 200,000 people and have 80,000 views.”
Meanwhile the real Ruby and Daisy are looking forward to starting at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School next month. Although they like having a shop named after them, they are not planning to join the family firm.
Nominations for the 2018 awards, organised by Valley at Work, opened on Wednesday, August 15.
Once nominated, businesses select which categories they would like to enter.
For further information on the awards visit http://rawards.co.uk or contact Rob Carder on chair@valleyatwork.co.uk.