Impulse buying is driven by emotion rather than rational thought. When customers are in a positive mood, they're more likely to make spontaneous purchases. The layout of your store, the product selection at the till, and even the overall shopping experience can influence this emotional state. By creating a shopping environment that encourages happiness and excitement, you can increase the likelihood of impulse buys.
Place small, inexpensive items near the till where they're easily seen and can be quickly added to a purchase. These items should be those that customers don't necessarily come in for but find hard to resist on their way out.
Offer items that customers might need but didn't think of until the last moment. Think along the lines of batteries, gift wrap, or greeting cards. These are convenient, practical, and often necessary additions to their primary purchase.
Stock up on seasonal items that cater to current holidays or events. Whether it's Christmas ornaments, Valentine's chocolates, or summer sunglasses, seasonal relevance makes products more appealing.
Products that are low-cost and carry minimal risk for buyer's remorse are perfect for impulse buying. These items should offer value without requiring a significant investment from the customer.
Limited-time offers or products that appear to be in limited quantity can trigger impulse buys. The fear of missing out on a good deal or an exclusive item can be a powerful motivator.
Small, quirky gadgets or items with unique designs that can spark joy or curiosity. These might include funky keychains, pocket-sized games, or novelty pens, perfect for spontaneous purchases.
Jewellery, keyrings, and cards that carry a sentimental value can significantly appeal to customers looking to make a meaningful purchase without a hefty price tag. These items can serve as a thoughtful gesture for various occasions, making them perfect for impulse buying at the till... good job Letterbox Love can help you there!
Stock up on items that align with the current season or upcoming holidays. Season-specific goods not only cater to the immediate needs of your customers but also add a festive touch to your store.
Gourmet chocolates, artisan candies, or healthy snacks placed near the till can tempt customers into indulging in a small luxury while they wait.
Small collectible items or miniature versions of popular products can attract both collectors and casual buyers, making for an irresistible impulse buy.
Lip balms, hand creams, or small cosmetic items are great for those looking for a little pick-me-up or a practical addition to their purchase.
By carefully selecting a range of products that cater to the impulse buying tendencies of your customers, you can significantly boost sales and enhance the shopping experience. Remember, the key is to offer items that are irresistible, convenient, and add value to the customer's journey, turning the till point into a treasure trove of delightful last-minute finds.
]]>Why stainless steel?
Incorporating stainless steel into the construction of earrings offers significant benefits, especially for those with sensitive ears. Stainless steel is hypoallergenic, reducing the risk of allergic reactions and making these earrings a safe choice for people who might experience sensitivities with other metals. Its durability and resistance to rust, corrosion, and tarnishing mean that gold-plated stainless steel earrings maintain their shine and finish over time, ensuring that the wearer can enjoy their beauty for years to come without the need for frequent replacements or high maintenance. This combination of practicality and aesthetic appeal makes gold-plated stainless steel stud earrings from Letterbox Love an ideal gift that is both thoughtful and practical.
Take a look at the full range of Enchanted Earrings - https://letterbox-love.co.uk/collections/earrings-new
]]>Daily Doses of Positivity: Each day, you'll receive a positive affirmation straight to your inbox. These affirmations are designed to uplift your spirits, boost your mood, and set a positive tone for your day.
We've partnered with the amazing Jade, a renowned transformation coach and energy healer. Jade's insights and expertise will add an extra layer of depth and meaning to your daily affirmations.
Start the Year on a Positive Note: After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, January is the perfect time to reset and focus on what truly matters. Our affirmations will help you do just that!
Transform Your Mindset: Affirmations are a powerful tool for changing your thought patterns. Over the course of 31 days, you'll notice a shift in your attitude and outlook on life.
Exclusive Discount: As a token of our appreciation for joining the challenge, participants will enjoy an exclusive 20% discount storewide at Letterbox Love. It's our way of saying thank you for embarking on this journey with us.
Ready to transform your January into a month of positivity and growth? Signing up is easy! Just visit our website, enter your email address, and you'll be all set to receive your first affirmation on January 1st.
Let's make 2024 a year of positive transformation. We can't wait to have you on board for the 31-Day Affirmation Challenge!
]]>The Secret Santa Challenge: What to Buy?
We've all been there. You draw a name for Secret Santa and... it's the new guy in accounting you've only said "hi" to at the coffee machine. Or maybe it's the quiet person in HR whose name you just learned last week. Suddenly, you're a detective trying to find clues on what they'd like. Do they love coffee? Are they secretly a superhero fan? The mystery deepens!
Letterbox Love to the Rescue!
But here's a little secret from us to you - Letterbox Love's Secret Santa bracelet gift has been a game changer this year. Why, you ask? Well, for starters, it's only £8.99 a bracelet! Talk about a budget-friendly gift that doesn’t skimp on charm and it’s gift wrapped too!
Why is Letterbox Love's Bracelet a Hit?
Hassle-Free Gifting: It's delivered straight through the letterbox, so you don't have to play Santa's elf and sneak around the office!
Making Secret Santa Fun Again!
Let's face it - Secret Santa should be about spreading joy and fun, not stress. With Letterbox Love's bracelet, you're not just giving a gift, you're delivering a smile. And isn't that what the holiday spirit is all about?
Wrap Up
So there you have it! No more wandering around crowded shops or endlessly scrolling online. This year, make your Secret Santa gift something special without the hassle. Who knows, maybe you'll end up being the office Secret Santa legend!
Happy gifting, everyone!]]>Until then, buy 2 or more items and get 25% off!
Click HERE to start shopping NOW!
*T&C's apply
]]>Gifting with Intention
In today's fast-paced world, where online carts get filled in a flash, and express deliveries become the norm, taking a pause to choose a meaningful gift has become all the more crucial. It's not just about what you give, but the thought, care, and intention behind it.
Why Letterbox Love is Your Thoughtful Gifting Destination
Gift-wrapped with Love: Every gift is a reflection of emotion, and at Letterbox Love, we understand this sentiment. Each of our presents comes lovingly gift-wrapped, ensuring that the receiver feels special from the very moment they lay their eyes on it.
Same-day Dispatch: We respect the anticipation, excitement, and sometimes the urgency behind every order. So, if you place your order before 3 pm from Monday to Friday, rest assured, your thoughtful gift is dispatched the very same day.
It's Personal: Our ranges have been carefully considered with every poem you see written by our Director Kerry, inspired by real people living real lives. From joy, love, gratitude, to hope, there's a Letterbox Love gift for every sentiment.
The True Spirit of Christmas
While grand gestures have their own charm, sometimes it's the smaller, thought-out tokens that resonate the most. After all, it's often said, "It's the thought that counts." And isn't Christmas all about cherishing, reminiscing, and showing our dear ones just how much they mean to us?
As we edge closer to the big day, let's remember that every gift has the potential to be memorable, not because of its size or price, but because of the love and thought behind it. This festive season, let Letterbox Love assist you in finding the perfect token to convey your feelings, making Christmas more heartfelt and unforgettable.
]]>Here's how they can make a difference:
Wear a Smile with Inspirational Quotes
Our bracelets, come with uplifting poems and quotes, will remind you to smile, even when the sun plays hide-and-seek. They're like little whispers of encouragement wrapped around your wrist.
Gift a Ray of Sunshine
Know someone who's feeling a bit down due to the unseasonal rain? A thoughtful bracelet can be the perfect gift to brighten their day. It's a gesture that says, "I'm here for you"
Rainy Summer Activities – Indoors and Out!
If you're looking to make the most of a rainy summer, here are some cheerful ideas:
Enjoy a reading session by the window.
Dance in the rain ... why not!?
Host an indoor picnic with friends and family.
Embrace your creative side with painting, crafting, or jewellery making
Conclusion: Let Your Inner Sunshine Glow
Rain or shine, summer is a season to celebrate life, love, and laughter. Our collection of encouraging and thoughtful bracelets is here to remind you that you carry your sunshine within you.
So go ahead, embrace the rain, let those droplets wash away any worries, and step into a world filled with joy, positivity, and love. Remember, even the gloomiest clouds have silver linings. With the right perspective and a bracelet to match, you can make this 2023 rainy summer one to remember!
Explore our uplifting bracelet collection now and find the perfect match for your summer.
Friendship, like a fine piece of jewellery, is something to be treasured. It's the invisible thread that connects us, the comfort in times of need, the laughter on sunny days, and the shoulder to lean on cloudy days.
With International Friendship Day just around the corner, now is the perfect time to think about how you're going to show your appreciation for those cherished friends in your life. And, what better way than with a gift that's as enduring and beautiful as your friendship?
Our Friendship Bracelet range is a celebration of those ties that bind us. Each bracelet is carefully paired with a meaningful poem, we know they will LOVE. These bracelets aren't just accessories; they're a wearable symbol of the bonds we share, a reminder of the love and connection that friendship brings.
So why not celebrate Friendship Day in style this year? Select a Friendship Bracelet for your bestie, your childhood friend, or the friend who feels more like family. Each bracelet is beautifully presented in a pink pouch, ready to gift and cherish.
This Int Friendship Day, let's remember to tell our friends how much they mean to us. Let's celebrate them, appreciate them, and let them know that they are our chosen family. After all, as the saying goes, "Friends are the family we choose."
So, here's to friendship, to the memories we've made, and the ones we've yet to create. Here's to laughter, to tears, to the bond that strengthens with each passing year. Here's to International Friendship Day, and here's to celebrating it with a little Letterbox Love.
]]>On the 30th of July, Glamberry at Unit 21, Perkins Way, Mansfield Road, Derby, will transform into a vibrant marketplace buzzing with creativity, camaraderie, and celebration. We've joined forces with fellow female-led businesses from across Derbyshire to curate an event that's not just a market, but a platform to celebrate entrepreneurial spirit and local talent.
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable afternoon packed with a diverse selection of stalls, each showcasing the unique charm of Derby's homegrown businesses. But that's not all – your senses are in for a treat with uplifting music setting the mood and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cakes from the reputable Glamberry.
As you explore the variety of products, don't forget to make a pit stop at our selfie stations. We've designed them to be perfect little corners of happiness where you can capture memories of a delightful day out. And while you're there, why not pick up a piece from our latest collection to remember the day by?
Everyone is welcome to this gathering of positivity and empowerment. The Sunshine Market is not just an event - it's a testament to the inspiring women entrepreneurs of Derby, their resilience, creativity, and the beautiful products they create. The best part? Entry is absolutely free!
So, mark your calendars, Derby! Let's revel in the power of local businesses, support each other, and enjoy an afternoon of shopping, music, and delicious treats. After all, nothing can dim the light that shines from within the community, especially when we're standing together in the sunshine.
Join us for an afternoon at the Sunshine Market – where shopping local takes on a whole new glow.
]]>Nurses play an essential role in the healthcare system, and the past year has highlighted the importance of their work more than ever. They have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, risking their own health and safety to care for patients in need. We are forever grateful for their unwavering commitment to their profession and their patients.
In 2020 in the midst of the pandemic I was in awe of our NHS and the incredible people that were at the forefront of our safety. Inspired by these selfless individuals, I created our first Nurse bracelet for Letterbox Love and it’s been appreciated by 1000’s ever since!
As a token of our appreciation and support, we recently gifted some of our "Thank You Nurse" bracelets to the amazing nurses of the Diabetes department at the Royal Derby Hospital. Our special Nurse bracelets serve as a reminder that their hard work and dedication are recognized and appreciated.
Thank you to the beautiful Nurses pictured above, Leanne qualified in 2008 is now a Diabetes Specialist Nurse, previously worked on the Stroke/Rehab Ward. Stella has been a registered nurse for over 30 years, originally starting out as a district nurse she has been supporting patients with Diabetes since 2002. Julie registered in 2005, starting her career within male surgery intensive care and has recently moved to the Diabetes department.
It's crucial to recognize and honor the contributions of our nurses not just on International Nurses Day, but every day. Nurses are often the unsung heroes of the healthcare system, and it's vital that we show them our appreciation and support especially during these turbulent times.
At Letterbox Love, we believe that small gestures can go a long way in showing our support for nurses. We encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate the nurses in their lives, whether it's a thank you card, a small gift, or even just a heartfelt message.
To all the nurses out there, we see you, we appreciate you, and we support you. Happy International Nurses Day!
]]>First and foremost, seeded cards are a great way to show your love and appreciation for someone with a beautiful bracelet whilst also helping the environment. Our seeded cards at Letterbox Love are made from recycled waste cotton and contains wildflower seeds embedded in the paper. Once the recipient is finished enjoying the card, they can plant it in the soil, and watch beautiful wildflowers grow. This provides a sustainable solution to gift-giving, as the card is not just something to be thrown away but can be used to create new life.
Our Seeded card and Wish Bracelets are also incredibly versatile. They can be used for a variety of occasions, from birthdays and weddings to thank-you notes and Sympathy gifts. The unique and eco-friendly nature of these gifts make them stand out and adds a special touch to any gift. Our seeded cards are air dried to offer the best possible growth rate. The cards are handmade using residual cotton from waste cotton mixed with wildflower seeds.
Another benefit of using seeded cards in the gifting industry is that they are cost-effective. Compared to traditional cards, seeded cards may be slightly more expensive, but the fact that they can be planted and enjoyed as wildflowers makes them worth the extra cost. Additionally, many companies that offer seeded cards have bulk discounts available, making them a budget-friendly option for those who want to give a sustainable and unique gift.
Lastly, seeded cards are a great way for businesses to promote sustainability and eco-friendliness. By using seeded cards in their gifting strategy, businesses can show their customers that they care about the environment and are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint. This can also help businesses stand out in a crowded marketplace and appeal to consumers who prioritize sustainability.
In conclusion, Letterbox Love’s Seeded Card & Wish Bracelets Gifts are an excellent choice for anyone looking to give a unique and eco-friendly gift. They are versatile, cost-effective, and provide a sustainable solution to gift-giving. With so many benefits, it's no wonder that seeded cards are becoming increasingly popular in the gifting industry. So why not join the trend and give the gift of wildflowers with a beautiful, seeded card and bracelet?
]]>Let’s start with 925 Sterling Silver
925 sterling silver and silver plated might look similar, but they behave differently…
Ok so what does the 925 Silver mean? This just means the piece of jewellery in question is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% metal alloy. Ok so now you’re going to ask what alloy is, way ahead of you! when a piece of jewellery is described as alloy this typically means it is a solid solution of a variety of metal elements. It is very difficult to mould pure silver as it is quite soft, therefor to mix it with another metal makes it stronger and more versatile.
Just because an item of jewellery is 925 Sterling Silver, this doesn’t mean its exempt from tarnishing I’m afraid… 925 Sterling Silver can begin to tarnish when the 7.5% of metal alloy in the jewellery reacts to the ozone and hydrogen sulphide in the air resulting in the silver tarnishing.
All 925 Silver is likely to tarnish overtime unless kept in airtight containers which isn’t much fun when you want to actually wear it! So, to contradict my last comment there, if you where your 925 silver jewellery very frequently believe it or not the oil in your skin works as cleanser and you will find it will tarnish in a lot less time the more you wear your jewellery, than the pieces that have been left on your dressing table for weeks on end! You can also try anti tarnish tabs which can be found on sales platforms such as Etsy & Amazon at great prices and we have used them here at Letterbox Love, they work a treat!
Silver Plated Jewellery
We LOVE costume jewellery and silver-plated jewellery is equally as bright and sparkly as 925 sterling silver and costs a lot less but like all costume jewellery, it is inevitable that they may tarnish over time but from experience and a personal opinion, silver plated jewellery doesn’t tarnish as quickly as 925 sterling silver.
Will it turn my skin green?
The base metal in Silver Plated jewellery is usually copper or brass. Silver plated means that the metal underneath is some other metal (could be brass, copper or similar) with a very thin layer of silver on top of it. Our best-selling silver-plated bracelets typically with a base metal of copper have the thin layer of silver over the top to prevent early tarnishing, to look pretty and of course to prevent your skin turning an unpleasant shade of Shrek!
To get the best longevity out of your beautiful silver plated jewellery take a look at our 'Jewellery Care Page' at www.letterbox-love.co.uk
The choice between 925 sterling silver and silver plated is entirely dependent on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and budget.
]]>A few years ago I started to write short poems for my own mental health as I found it so soothing to write special rhymes about the people that supported me, the people I admired and loved. The poems started to flow and were all different yet the same, just like each person who received them. Some poems are just meant to make you cry or maybe relieve you from stress and some poems are just meant to make you feel proud of yourself or make you smile. Ever since, I have been on a mission to improve the lives of people through poems and jewellery.
For me poetry is a way for me to express myself and ones that I feel strongly about, in 2020 I started to accompany them with bracelets and jewellery pieces… because who doesn’t love sparkly things?
Take our ‘Worry Angel’, this was the first poem I ever wrote for Letterbox Love, we all know that anxiety and depression can be debilitating. It can be hard to find the right gift for someone who suffers from either of these struggles. After being diagnosed many years ago with anxiety, I often felt no one could ever understand but they could listen…
That is what makes our Worry Angel gift so special, a simple gift to show that you are there to listen, not to judge but support and be there for a loved one struggling with anxiety and I promise you that will mean more than you know.
When you think of poetry, do you immediately picture Shakespearean times and some bloke pouring his heart out to a beautiful woman peering over a balcony? No? just me then. I feel like poetry has come a long way and doesn’t need to be a 10000-word count document, that’s why it’s such an arguably preferred writing style (ok maybe that’s just me again) but you can play around with poetry and believe it or not it doesn’t need to rhyme that’s just my preference because it’s simple and fun!
I will let you be the judge though! Take a look at our ever-expanding range of meaningful jewellery gifts perfectly placed with a poem with them in mind, I write the words so you don’t have to…
I want to share my poems with people and let them enjoy the words just like I do. I think it's important to have special pieces of jewellery in your life that can help you through the hard times and bring a smile to your face when you need it most. To conclude, poetry is a way for me to deal with the good, bad and ugly of life.
]]>Christmas is one of our favourite holidays and we are super excited to get into the festive spirit, spend time with friends and family and explode the house with Christmas trees, fairy lights, baubles, tinsel, and everything else you can think of! I can already picture the cosy evenings watching The Grinch with a hot chocolate…Yum!
However, although it is a special time of the year, Christmas can be expensive and with the current UK living crisis, it’s unfortunately going to be a hard time for a lot of families this year. According to Sitecore’s Holiday Shopping Trends 2022 report, 41% of people say that not being able to afford Christmas will ruin the festive season, and 33% will be spending less this year.
Our 2022 Christmas Gift Collection
With these saddening statistics, it was important to us that we made our Christmas collection affordable and accessible for families across the UK. Now, more than ever, spreading kindness and love will make a massive difference in people’s lives and we are proud to have launched our Christmas collection that focuses on offering customers thoughtful, but most importantly, affordable Christmas gifts for their family and friends.
Our Christmas gifts range includes a range of bracelets and earrings within a price range of £9.99 - £27.99, with 15% off when you purchase 2 or more products storewide, allowing you to shop leisurely within your budget. From Auntie and Nana to Mum’s 1st Christmas and Secret Santa bracelets, we have catered for each of the special women in your life, meaning you don’t have to search far and wide for that perfect gift!
Here’s a snippet of some of our Christmas range products.
‘Merry Christmas Granddaughter’ Bracelet
Price: £9.99
Adding a little personalisation to our collection, we offer a variety of poem cards specialised to each family member. Our ‘Merry Christmas Granddaughter’ bracelet is the perfect jewellery piece for that angel in your life. Mounted on a poem card that can be cherished forever, the bracelet is guaranteed to shine bright with its 10 silver-plated beads and beautiful star pendant that’s sure to catch the eye and show her how much she means to you.
‘Merry Christmas Secret Santa’ Bracelet
Price: £9.99
Struggling to find a Secret Santa gift within budget? Affordable for all ages, our ‘Secret Santa’ bracelet and poem card is sure to bring a smile to their face. Combining the smooth simplicity of a pink threat, the bracelet holds delicate silver-platted copper beads and a star pendant to add that extra sparkle, all within budget!
‘Merry Christmas’ Bracelet
Price: £9.99
Perfect for friends, our generic ‘Merry Christmas’ bracelet is the perfect gift to spread the Christmas festive cheer. The delicate bracelet is made from a contemporary thread that dangles a beautiful star crystal pendant. This affordable gift is great for all ages as a Stocking Filler or Christmas Eve Box Filler.
Snowflake Earrings
Price: £ 10.99
For those with slightly bigger budgets, our snowflake earrings are a perfect edition to add to any jewellery collection and are the perfect sentimental gift for family or friends. Silver plated with cubic zircon, these earrings have just the right amount of sparkle, enhancing their daytime and evening look this Christmas.
FREE Shipping and Gift-wrapping
To make the gift that extra bit special, we will gift wrap your gifts complimentary to give you one less thing to think about! From our signature velvet pink pouches to our white jewellery boxes, we have a range of gift-wrapping options and the option for you to upgrade your gift wrapping if you would like to!
All gifts are then shipped on the same day* for FREE to either your home or directly to your recipient’s home along with any gift message you choose to leave, will be handwritten onto one of our signature postcards.
Ready to explore more of our Christmas Gift Range? Head over to our Shop to find out more!
]]>
Gift giving on a budget
Gifting on a budget may seem daunting and can suddenly feel more like a burden than a fun task, but this is where we come in! Whilst purchasing gifts for other people may not be at the top of our shopping lists, gift giving has been found to confirm relationships and strengthen bonds with family and friends especially the thoughtful, meaningful gifts that we all love and cherish. Gifting to another person should bring feelings of pleasure and joy for both recipient and sender, which is why work to keep our gift bracelet ranges competitively priced between £8.99 - £27.99 to allow customers to shop leisurely within their budget and be able to spread joy through affordable and thoughtful gifts without having to scrimp afterwards.
Affordable Letterbox Love Jewellery Gift ideas
If you are looking for affordable, meaningful gifts, we’re proud to have a range of gifting products available for varies price points. From our cheaper string bracelets to affordable Sterling Silver, here’s a snippet of some of our products which all come with FREE Shipping & Gift Wrapping as standard.
As one of our best sellers this year, the ‘Stay You’ poem card comes with a beautiful daisy bracelet that is so whimsical that it could be a fairy-tale! As a symbol of youth, innocence, and a reminder to be sweet and kind, this gift is perfect for that friend who needs a pick me up.
‘21 st Sterling Silver Birthday Bracelet’ – Price: £24.99
For those with slightly bigger budgets, we have our Sterling Silver range which includes Special Happy Birthdays, Graduation and Bridesmaid Proposals. Our 21 st Silver Birthday Bracelet is a delicate 925 Sterling Silver bracelet, embellished with a special key with a dainty cubic zirconia heart centre. Each Sterling Silver bracelet is also beautifully presented in a white box to make it that extra bit special.
‘The Little Robin Bracelet – Plantable Card’ – Price: £9.99
We are passionate about making sure Letterbox Love is doing its bit to become sustainable, which is why we were so excited to be release an eco-Friendly gifting range that is kind to the planet and to your wallet! Our ‘Little Robin’ is for that special friend or loved one who loves Robins and their meaning. For just £9.99, the plantable card is made from seeded paper is made from 100% recycled cotton and is filled with a range of seeds such as Sweet
Alyssum, Poppy, Baby’s Breath, and Rudbeckia. As a gift that keeps on giving, recipients can plant their poem card in their garden to grow beautiful wildflowers for the wildlife and bees.
Any order we receive will be complimentary gift wrapped to make your gifts that extra bit special and give you one less thing to think about! From our signature velvet pink pouches to our white jewellery boxes, we have a range of gift wrapping options and the option for you to upgrade your gift wrapping if you would like to!
All gifts are then shipped on the same day* for FREE to either your home or directly to your recipient’s home along with any gift message you choose to leave, will be hand written onto one of our signature postcards.
Want to explore our affordable gifting range?
We have a range of gifts available from bracelets and earrings to necklaces and goodie boxes that won't break the bank! Head over to our ‘Shop’ to have a scroll.
Since when did it become the norm to get temperatures such as 40 degrees in the UK!?
We believe as a small business, it’s our responsibility to make sure we are doing our bit to help our amazing planet and we are super excited to have launched our first ever Eco-friendly gifting range.
The Letterbox Love Eco-Friendly Gifting Range
Our first ever plantable eco-friendly collection includes an ever-expanding range of gorgeous bracelets with a unique poem card that’s jampacked with wildflower seeds. Each poem card can be planted at home and with some love and attention, can grow beautiful flowers such as Sweet Alyssum, Poppies, Baby’s Breath, and Rudbeckia. Our current collection of eco-friendly poem cards includes ‘Thank You Teacher’, ‘Pet Sympathy’, ‘Angels’ and ‘The Little Robin’, creating the perfect gift that just keeps giving!
What makes them eco-friendly?
Different to our other ranges, our eco-friendly collection poem cards are made from 100% recycled waste cotton, a natural and biodegradable fibre that focuses on maintaining soil fertility by excluding toxic pesticides or harmful chemicals. The production of this eco-friendly paper uses less energy, the release of fewer greenhouse gases and less water usage making strong, but soft beautiful, sustainable paper!
The protection of wildlife is also a massive factor for us. As stated by justbeehoney, bees travel from plant to plant in search of pollen and nectar, but sadly in the UK, there’s been a significant decline in the number of wildflowers growing. As our customers plant their poem cards, their gardens will bloom with wildflower corridors that help to create a haven for bees to come and feed. Supporting such a special cause, we couldn’t be prouder that our range will be helping to protect our magnificent bee and flower population.
How do you plant them?
This is where the fun begins! It’s super easy to plant the poem cards and a very relaxing activity after a long day at work:
How much are they?
Each of our plantable poem cards are £10.99 with free shipping and come with our best selling grey heart bracelet. Our Eco Friendly gifts are also gift wrapped with beautiful recycled pink tissue paper to make it that extra bit special for your recipient. Head over to our ‘Eco-Friendly Range’ to shop the collection!
What else are Letterbox Love doing to be sustainable?
As well as our eco-friendly gifting collection, we are making the continuous effort to help offset our carbon footprint. We are members of the amazing Ecologi (or known as (Offset Earth) who are an environmental organisation whose mission is to help millions of individuals and businesses to have a positive impact on the environment and climate. As members so far, we have reduced 36.27t of carbon, planted 545 trees in forests and helped with 30 projects worldwide due to our donations and we aren’t going to stop there…
We aim to give back to our beautiful planet as much as possible and can’t wait to make more sustainable changes in Letterbox Love.
Written by Jess Lucas
UPDATED: 17 May 2022
Liam and Kerry Bilson quit their jobs as a construction project manager and recruitment consultant just 12 months ago to concentrate on their fledgling jewellery business, Letterbox Love.
They have become one of the biggest sellers on gift website Etsy and although they were over the moon when Bennett’s – the UK’s oldest department store – began selling their gift sets, being snapped up by Cardzone, is another milestone in the short history of Letterbox Love.
“Cardzone are one of the most respected card and gifting companies in the world and Liam and I are thrilled that their stores will now be stocking products from Letterbox Love,” said Kerry.
“Our products will be stocked in 60 of their stores across the UK, including their Paper Kisses and Hallmark stores. It means that we will be super-busy – but that’s how we like it!
“The last two years have been an incredible journey for us; our products are also in 80 independent stores in the US but to have the opportunity to work with Cardzone, who are a brilliant British brand, means the world to us.”
Kim Baker, Product and Merchandising Manager of Cardzone, said that she was bowled over by the enthusiasm of Kerry and Liam of Letterbox Love.
“It is a privilege to support such an exciting business who are clearly going places,” she said, “their Mother’s Day gifts were extremely popular in our stores, who all have their own individual style, and I’m excited to see how their new range of products will be received.
“Their products are affordable, good quality and we like to encourage local businesses. Liam and Kerry have a great story and the sentiment behind Letterbox Love is touching.”
It has been a whirlwind year for Letterbox Love, who have just moved into a new, bigger office and been shortlisted for a Federation of Small Businesses award.
Initially a side hustle set up by Kerry when she was working from home during the first UK lockdown – she found that channelling her talent for writing poems and combining them with cute, affordable bracelets as gifts was a welcome creative release from her day job – the business grew quickly with orders from around the globe.
They recently launched charity bracelets in support of Ukraine – which will be sold exclusively in branches of Cardzone and Paper Kisses - a Magic Worry Angel Letter – an enchanting poem written by Kerry aimed at keeping the worries of little ones at bay - and interest for their bridal gift box collection is keeping them on their toes.
“Mother’s Day and Christmas were our busiest periods last year,” said Liam, “but with no restrictions now on weddings, we’re expecting our bridal collection – which includes a bridesmaid proposal box and bracelet just for the Mother of the Groom - to sell quickly.
“We are also bringing out new ranges later this year with 15 new products this month alone, whilst our affordable ‘Pick Me Up’ gift box collection continues to be among our best-sellers.”
Prices for Letterbox Love products start from £8 for bracelets including their ‘teacher’, ‘good luck’ and ‘flower girl’ keepsakes, which are wrapped around a card with a poem handwritten by Kerry, and wrapped in recyclable tissue paper.
Letterbox Love offer free UK shipping and gift wrapping, plus 15% off when you purchase two or more items. To find out more, visit www. letterbox-love.co.uk or connect on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
]]>Letterbox Love was initially a side hustle set up by Kerry Bilson when she was working from home during the first UK lockdown. The former Virgin Atlantic cabin crew found that channelling her talent for writing poems and combining them with cute, affordable bracelets as gifts was a welcome creative release from day-to-day life and the business grew quickly with orders from around the globe.
And this weekend, stars such as Mabel, David Guetta and dance diva Becky Hill – plus chart-topping solo artists Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles, fresh from their sell-out shows – will receive a gift bag ahead of their performance at the Capital Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium that will include a bracelet created by Letterbox Love.
“It’s quite something thinking that a mega star like Harry Styles could be wearing one of our bracelets,” said Kerry, “he’s a real style icon – he’s been on the front cover of Vogue magazine – and his sequin-clad jumpsuit worn recently at Coachella would be the perfect accompaniment to the Pride bracelet we have sent to Capital HQ.”
Letterbox Love were asked to cater for 40 celebrities and, with June being Pride month around the world – it’s the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in America that changed gay rights for a lot of people – Kerry thought that the Letterbox Love bracelets created to celebrate individuality would be perfect.
She said: “Each bracelet is adorned with a beautiful cubic zircona stone-encrusted rainbow centerpiece on a red chain. It is attached to a card that reads ‘Let your colours shine on through, a time to celebrate all of you’ and has been a big seller for us this month.”
Letterbox Love have also been busy creating charity bracelets for national card and gift company Cardzone, who have ordered thousands of the Stand With Ukraine bracelets. £1 from the sale of each sunflower bracelet is donated to the British Red Cross’s Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
Kerry said: “We are delighted that, as well as having Letterbox Love products stocked globally – stores in Europe, the USA and Canada as well as here in the UK sell Letterbox Love products – our gifts will also be available to buy in 60 Cardzone stores, including their Paper Kisses and Hallmark shops.
“Cardzone have been incredibly supportive of our business since we first signed a deal with them and Kim Baker, their product and merchandising manager, has helped a great deal.
“The Stand With Ukraine bracelet, which is also available on our website and via our Etsy shop, is our way of giving back to a well-respected charity that is doing an incredible job at what is a very difficult time.”
Prices for Letterbox Love products start from £8 for bracelets including their ‘teacher’, ‘good luck’ and ‘flower girl’ keepsakes, which are wrapped around a card with a poem written by Kerry, and wrapped in recyclable tissue paper.
Letterbox Love offer free UK shipping and gift wrapping, plus 15% off when you purchase two or more items. To find out more, visit www. letterbox-love.co.uk or head to our socials @letterboxloveofficial
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The global pandemic has undoubtedly caused widespread fear, anxiety, and concern among the general public, and the effects of being apart from loved ones on mental health are very serious indeed. From grandparents across the country feeling more vulnerable than ever, to teenagers becoming isolated from their friends, it’s had an effect on all ages.
Sometimes when a loved one is suffering like this, no matter how much you try and console them or uplift them over the phone, our words can often fall short. But, with a special gesture and small letterbox gift, you can really show
them how much you are thinking of them during this difficult time. Letterbox gifts are not only affordable and beautiful but will surely bring a smile to your loved one’s face!
Do You Know Someone Feeling Anxious At Home?
It’s true that the pandemic has affected people in many different ways and for many different reasons. Let’s take a quick look at some of the main factors causing people to feel alone, isolated, anxious, stressed and depressed.
Social Isolation
Although isolating and being physically distant is a precautionary measure to slow down the spread of COVID-19, experts suggest that solitude carries its own health risk. A lack of socialising can be damaging to your mental health
and cause you to feel lonely. When a friend, family member or loved one has to isolate due to COVID, it can really affect their mood. Especially if they have to isolate and miss out on a special occasion such as a wedding, baby
shower, christening or birthday. But jewellery and self-care boxes are an ideal letterbox gift that can make this time more manageable. They are completely safe as they can be put through your letterbox without the need for any
physical contact, which is crucial when isolating.
Work-Related Stress
According to the Mental Health Foundation, more than a third of full-time workers surveyed were fearful about losing their jobs, and this can make someone feel a loss of control of their financial future which can trigger depression and
work-related stress. From flight attendants now grounded to teachers struggling with Zoom lessons, the pandemic has derailed a lot of careers!
To combat work-related stress around job loss, remind your loved ones that you are always there for them by arranging for a letterbox gift to be sent to their home. There is no greater time to send empowering messages to
those who are clearly in need due to their deteriorating mental health. Letterbox gifts are extremely versatile, thoughtful and cost-effective. The positive parcel for instance is the ultimate pick me up for that special lady in your
life or perhaps your best friend or sister.
Cabin Fever At Home
People have spent significantly more time at home than normal during the past two years and this can give anyone cabin fever. For those now working remotely full-time, with minimal outdoor space, this new 9 to 5 lifestyle can be detrimental to mental health and your overall sense of happiness and wellbeing. In the UK, one in every eight homes (12%) lacks access to a private or communal garden, so if your friend or relative is down in the dumps due to work- related stress, travel restrictions and isolation due to COVID, post some positivity with a letterbox gift.
For the week commencing the 7th February until 14th February 2022 Letterbox Love will be donating £1.00 from every order to Mind Charity.
]]>I can’t wait to be jingling around the office through the festive season, every part of me is itching to get the snowflake tissue paper out, the red ribbons and fairy lights out! I love every part of it.
Then we get the stark reminder… wind it in Kerry, you have a gifting business to run at Christmas… brace yourself.
Your support to a small business means EVERYTHING all year round, but especially at such a special time of the year like Christmas. As the festivities begin, everything gets a little busier and a little crazier, which is a lot of fun but for many can also be a little stressful. Many small business owners will be reading this, thinking YES! I know where you’re going with this!
We live in a world with major online giants such as Amazon, which we simply cannot compete with …‘Wait, I can order my new hair dryer now and it will be with me tomorrow!?’ *Buy’s immediately* it’s fantastic! The truth is, Amazon have an army of robots, millions of staff, 100’s of fulfilments centres and wow I don’t know about you, but they were my saving grace through lockdown. Their delivery times lead the way and as a result this amazing multibillion business has ultimately created an expectation amongst all of us, that if Amazon can do it why can’t all my deliveries be this quick?
The reality for most small business’s is that they rely on third party delivery partners such as Hermes and Royal Mail etc, and believe me if we could drive your orders to you ourselves, we would! It is the one part of running a business that is completely out of our control once it leaves the building. During the festivities our delivery partner’s will inevitably feel the strain, this is their busiest time of the year and we want to work with them, be led by their delivery guidelines and manage our customers expectations accordingly.
It doesn’t get any easier the longer we do this, to see that email pop up to say someone’s order hasn’t arrived yet… just imagine creating a beautiful business, procuring products, designing branding, websites, carefully writing meaningful poems & matching them with bracelets, delicately gift wrapping and shipping the same day for your customer to then not receive it in time – it is heart breaking. Not only is it expensive for us to rectify, re-send out a gift or refund we also have the overwhelming worry that our customer has then lost a little faith in us because of the only process of this entire small business world, that is out of our control.
I chose to write this blog not to have a moan at Royal Mail because they have been brilliant, they have been put through their paces over the last 18 months and still managed to keep us all going. We have some very happy customers especially happy with our efficient delivery timescales but naturally some shipping timescales may be a little slower during the festive season.
I wrote this blog to increase awareness of the importance of supporting small businesses at Christmas and to be mindful of the stress endured especially at busy periods. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy and your kindness & support means the world.
So, as you set out to do your Christmas shopping and you’re supporting your fave small business as always (because you’re amazing!), please allow a little more time for your deliveries this Christmas. Us little guys simply don’t have the infrastructure of the worldwide giants (as much as we wish we did!) sometimes there may be just 1 person fulfilling your order and just know that they appreciate you, your order and your kindness more than you know!
Letterbox Love are thrilled to have launched some gorgeous festive goodies this year and we are incredibly fortunate to have some very lovey and understanding customers – thank you for being so understanding all year round as we have grown, you have shown us nothing but support and we are eternally grateful.
Let the festivities begin!
Liam & Kerry
x
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You did? Great, so what happened to those dreams?
Whilst a small few of us are incredibly fortunate to be living our dream job and it all worked out, the rest of us maybe had a bit of a reality check, our passions changed as we grew up and therefor our interests shift but do you ever get that thought of what if?
It was the year of 1999 and I was 6 years old in the airport waiting to catch a flight out to the Caribbean with my family (little did I know we would end up living there but that’s for another time!) I will never forget the moment I saw the most glamourous women walking towards me in their immaculate red pencil skirts, tight fitting jackets and ruby red heels and perfectly applied makeup, they were the Air Hostess’s of Virgin Atlantic. It was that very moment I knew I wanted to be an Air Hostess more than anything.
Right through school the memory of that flight never left me, it stuck with me as my destiny right though to enrolling onto a Travel and Tourism course for college, my first job in a Travel agency at aged 18, I was getting there! Every few months I would wait for the job portal for cabin crew to open again and I wasn’t going to stop until the moment I was in that red uniform and on that plane.
Then it happened!
After an incredible interview and intense 6 weeks training, I was officially cabin crew for Virgin Atlantic. The feeling was indescribable, I was so proud, so elated, the feeling was so amazing. I walked through London Heathrow for my first flight, head held high, nothing can go wro…
Wait, what was happening? I started to doubt myself, imposter syndrome was creeping in…
The weeks and months went by and I continued to carry out my duties as a flight attendant, but this awful sickening feeling didn’t leave me. What on earth was happening!? I had worked my whole life to get to this point, anxiety kicked in, tiredness, I wasn’t thinking straight and became unbelievable home sick. Even with all the support in the world from my employer, the thought of getting onto another flight made me feel physically sick and the stress was too much, it was all just too much. I wasn’t me anymore but I didn’t have a plan b, what was I going to do? What now? I questioned everything, I didn’t understand, how was this happening to me?
Inevitably I had to leave the job I had always dreamed off because it simply wasn’t right for me. I had well and truly hit rock bottom.
Now, at that point if you had told me that in years to come, I would be running a beautiful gifting business, creating jewellery gifts to uplift and comfort people and that I would love every moment of it… I would have probably hugged you and at the same time would not believe a word of it! Haha
I failed at being a flight attendant, yet that entire experience was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I learnt so much about myself, I learnt about my resilience, I learnt that I need routine, I learnt that I love making people happy, I learnt that I'm not as spontaneous as I first thought, I learnt that I definitely need a lot of sleep.. the list goes on! and I can confidently sit here and say I gave my dream a go, I now have new dreams and new adventures to be had. I have never turned down a challenge and I am not afraid of risk, living outside of your comfort zone every once in a while, can introduce very valuable lessons to your life and that should never be looked at as a negative thing.
Everybody experiences life differently and the challenges it can bring, to fail means to learn and to continuously fail means to continuously learn, use those lessons and find your passion. I am now living my new dream of running a small business with my husband, writing gift messages of inspiration, meaningful poem jewellery cards and above all positing positivity and not one day passes where I don’t feel totally and utterly blessed. It’s been incredibly hard work to get to this point and there is still an uphill climb but it is a journey I am prepared to take and I am excited for the small business rollercoaster ride!
So, remember that dream of yours?
If it's still an itch you just can’t seem to scratch, why not give it a go? Start studying, go for that job interview, apply for that business grant, start that small business, invest in yourself and your dreams. It may be the best thing you ever do.
Good luck and I hope my story can inspire you to chase your dreams.
]]>If you’re reading this you may own a small business, planning on starting your own business… or you’re just huge fans of Letterbox Love (thanks guys, we love you too!)
For many of you that have followed our journey so far, you will know that we have just embarked on possibly one of the biggest milestones yet… Letterbox Love now has a HQ that isn’t our spare bedroom woo! We want to share with you how we came to this decision and why it became necessary as quickly as it did.
Firstly, working from home is an absolute dream, right? Yes! but for many it’s easy to get distracted, just 2 min to pop another wash on, just hoover the stairs, just nip to the shops… no one will know haha I have been there! When I was in full time employment, I dreamt of a remote working job and I just couldn’t understand why employers insisted on us being in the office!... until now.
Now, I am extremely routined, I love working (I know, weird right!?) but I can’t switch off and poor Liam finds himself propping up the breakfast bar with a sore back and a frazzled mind most days. He came into my so-called office one day, whilst tripping over a few boxes of envelopes in his path and suggested an office to me… the penny dropped! Imagine, our own space to plan, talk all things Letterbox Love and most importantly be present with the business and each other. It was our time to separate home and work. As a married couple, running a business together is amazing but it is so important that we keep both worlds as separate as we can, so, we can still enjoy our relationship and company.
Now for the fun part, Letterbox Love has grown significantly in the last 3 months, every day we have been trialling new things, new marketing strategies, optimising, delving head first into our social media… you may have seen our reels! We have trialled new products, some have flown, some have flopped but the point is we kept trying and we will continue to do so to help our small business grow. We found ourselves at a crossroads, boxes of stock filling every room in the house, we were selling more than ever and needed to buy more stock than ever but we were running out of space and tripping over boxes every morning!
TIME TO MOVE!
Before Letterbox I was in Recruitment, that meant I saw many different offices. I had this sinking feeling as I remembered some of the sights of these so-called offices and you know for a fact on job adverts, they were described as exciting environment when actually it couldn’t be further from the truth! small, cramped rooms, no windows, the musty smell of cheese from the shared fridge because no one wanted to claim it… yep I had those visions. We made a promise to each other right there and then that if it doesn’t feel right for one of us, we don’t do it, we will wait as long as it takes to find the right space for Letterbox Love.
As you read this, remember we have never done this before, never ran a business to this point and we are guided mostly by gut and instinct. Some of you may have secured a premises for your business from day one, some might wait until their house is literally a warehouse, but you do what you feel is right for you. This was our time, as we take this time to move into our new office, we have clear heads, space for stock, space for preparation, space for stationary, space for us! (and Reggie) Happy days!
It’s time for us to take our little business to the next level, we may have a small business, but we have big dreams, and we will continue to bring out new and exciting products to inspire and empower each other and to fulfil our purpose of posting positivity.
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The last 12 months have been an absolute whirlwind, what we didn’t tell you is that we also had arguably the worst house move known to man thrown in on top of everything else. When I put that onto paper, even I realise how mad that all is and wow I need to cut myself some slack.
So, lets talk self-reflection. Letterbox Love is doing the best it has ever done, we are achieving milestones we never thought we would achieve and yet do you know what…I still compare myself, I still don’t feel good enough, not worthy enough and I can and should do better, sound familiar? But.. I am not going to start preaching to you about how you must change your mindset, I’m not going to do that. Instead, I am going to encourage you to make it work to your advantage and adapt to it if you can, which is what I am slowly learning to do. Stay with me here, I will tell you why!
See, that passion, fire and desire to succeed has also got me to where I am , I am incredibly proud of where I am in life, I am happy, I get comfort knowing that my work ethic will carry me, even when I doubt myself I know that my inner strength will take me to where I need to be. There are days when I push myself too far and feel tired, at that point I can’t see the wood for the trees and I will fiercely punish myself mentally for not being good enough, I start comparing myself to others on social media which quickly becomes a slippery slope.
In that time, rather than telling myself to have a different mindset and telling myself I must be happy, when I start feeling the clouds come over and tiredness kicks in, I take a step away from my phone, from work and TALK!!
Talking is so important, just that release, sometimes you don’t need to hear advice you just need that someone who will listen! When I am really struggling, Liam and me will go for a walk with Reggie and put the world to right. Even that small amount of time away is time to heal, to stop and by the time I am back my head is clearer, I am relaxed and I am ready for the next day.
No one told me how to run a business, how to set up a website, buy stock, design products, write poems and become a wizz on social media… I had to learn and make many many mistakes along the way. I will not claim to know everything as I am still learning and I set myself goals as well as deadlines to switch off for my own metal health.
Working on Letterbox Love does not feel like work to me, I enjoy it and all of the tears I endured to get here will pay off because I wont let it not. Once again that is my inner graft that I rely on so heavily and if you’re reading this and you can relate, I know you know that you have that ability too.
So now when you think of self-reflection firstly look at where you started and how far you have come. Think about that imposter syndrome who tells you, you can do better, adapt to it, take a rest and use it to push yourself and you will continue to achieve amazing things as you already have done so brilliantly. I know this wont work for everyone, it has taken me many years to get to this stage and I still have the odd battle with myself but the point is do what works for you, start celebrating the small wins and when you see no wins (alarm bells) that is your time to take a step back, relax, take time for yourself to heal and wait until things seem clearer and you are able to compliment yourself again.
Moral of the story is, you got this and you’re going to achieve amazing things, keep reflecting, learning and winning.
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If you follow the latest catwalk trends (I try my best) it looks like chain link jewellery seemed to be taking over and are now looking like the must haves for this season! But as Letterbox Love originated I must admit we were naturally drawn to our silver range as this just seemed to be the way to go and our research showed this is what our customers wanted.
Starting a small business was always going to be a case of trial and error and thankfully we have received so much feedback on our products and what people want from us and gold has come up over and over again in the last few months. If you spend only a few minutes on insta (or hours down a rabbit hole if you are like us) you can see the amazing shots of new lines of gold jewellery coming out in all manners of businesses. What is even more incredible is to see the smaller companies really spreading the love!
When did we start loving gold?
I got my love of gold jewellery from my Nana! Then my Aunty and my Mum, were you the same? The first item of jewellery I was given as a tiny baby was a gold bangle. That bangle represents a tradition in our family and a sentiment that will forever exist and be passed on with the generations to come. I mean I don’t discriminate against gold, silver (and even rose gold), I like sparkly shiny things and always have done.
In the age old debate of gold v silver, like most fashions there have been cycles, trends and changes. Gold has always appeared to cost more, don’t you think? I mean it comes with a carat rating which I do not testify to have a lot of knowledge on but then there is gold plated. I can imagine each and everyone of us have had the green wrist or finger after wearing a new ring or bracelet and after a few wears popped them into the jewellery box to be kept as ornaments rather than risk it. Thankfully, over time there has been a lot of improvement in the gold plated world and the quality has been vastly improved!
I’ve heard countless times about how you pick your jewellery based on your colouring and that gold just doesn’t suit some people. I suppose it is like anything, we all have our comfort zone but is 2021 the time for you to push that aside and don the layered gold necklace, a shiny pair of hoops or something to get you started like a pretty new stud? At the end of the day, one of the reasons we started this business is to make our customers happy so if you ask, we deliver. Our new gold range is already selling out pretty fast so if our sales are anything to go by then, yes Gold is back and hopefully here to stay.
]]>I am sure everyone has a different reason behind the excitement of gifting. For me, it’s because I feel I know that person well enough to know the thought behind the gift will make their whole day, and that little piece of jewellery with a whole lot of meaning will be the reason why that person smiles today. That means everything!
I don't believe it should cost the earth to bring some sparkle to someone’s day, do you? Hopefully Letterbox Love gifts have shown that. The same amount of care, attention and passion goes into making and packaging every order, as if we were giving it to that person ourselves!
Have you ever thought about the making of the gifts when you purchase on Etsy or from your favourite small business?
I’m sure a lot of small business owners can relate to the following…
As soon as that order pings through on my phone or laptop, my face lights up; I can’t wait to see what has been ordered and to read the loving, thoughtful message that has been added to it – that’s when the journey begins!
Don’t get me started on the bridal gifts! I still get butterflies! I remember my own wedding; spending hours looking for the perfect meaningful gift as I could never put into words how grateful I was for my amazing bridal party. The bridal poems within my collection were a pleasure to write and I get so much joy from seeing them go out. I often wish I could be a secret fly on the wall to see how they have been received and if it makes the recipient’s day!
Honestly, this mini cycle of thoughts happens every single time I send an order out - I wonder how this person will react when they see how much thought has gone into it from their sender. I wonder what the occasion might be. I wonder how it will be given. I wonder if they like the pink packaging. I wonder if (and I truly hope) it makes their day! For me, the sender has chosen a very specific item and, in most cases, a poem jewellery card to show love & support. You’d think that nearly 1 year on, I’d be packaging them up in a ‘conveyer belt style’ but no, NEVER! Our amazing customers have chosen our gifts and service for a reason and they will receive the same care and thoughtfulness from us every single time - that is our promise.
How does it make you feel when you receive a Letterbox Love gift?
I asked this question to a couple of our customers and thankfully the feedback was nothing but positive! Here are some of the words that came back to describe that feeling:
Warmth. Excitement. Love!
“When you receive that stunning shiny envelope, it is such a magical feeling, when you tear it open and find a beautifully wrapped bracelet (or earrings) with a poem chosen specifically for you, it is a feeling that will stay with you as it means so much.”
I couldn’t have put it better myself and I am so grateful that you feel the same. Letterbox Love is always here for you, here to make your day and here to make your recipient’s day.
Thank you for choosing to gift with Letterbox Love.
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Where on earth do you start??
I know what’s going through your head, because I have been there believe me.
You have this wonderful idea, and you can see the end result but there’s now a huge journey ahead to transform that idea to conception.
As you start on your new venture, you WILL make mistakes, but if you can accept this early on you will be fine. I made a LOT and I am likely to make many more but that’s growth!
There is so much support out there for a small business. Etsy have lots of great forums, also YouTube and social media can be really handy, stay on top of hashtags and network with other start-up businesses to support your mission.
So, you probably by now have a name in mind for your business right? Make sure you check on Companies House that you can definitely use it before you do anything else, the last thing you need is to create your logo based on a name that is already taken!! Now for the exciting part… designing your logo, your brand identity, what is going to make you stand out? I trialed so many different logos, but I knew when it was right! If you are not sure where to start with your logo, you could try Fiverr, a fantastic gig market with access to a network of self-employed creative experts!
LOGO DONE
By now you have your product, your branding, your prototype, you’re happy, so lets get stocked up (YAY)! Ok when getting ready for your launch, be realistic, you’re a small start-up, aim high but don’t expect to be selling out on week one, it takes time and people don’t even know about you yet so don’t get disheartened!
Lets get started on your website...
Choosing a website provider can be a minefield, there are SOOO many options, I went for Shopify as they were able to offer everything we needed for an eCommerce business but you can start from scratch if you know a great web developer! It took a couple of months to get the website ready for launch, after many tests, trialing of different apps. Creating the website can be a lot of fun, its your way to get creative, there is so much you can do with it but whatever you do always have the end user in mind. Make sure your customer experience is flawless, do some tests, ask friends and family to have a play around with it and get their honest feedback, constructive criticism is essential. You cant expect to get everything right first time and it is invaluable to get an insight to your customer journey before you launch so you can make the correct tweaks just in time.
Lets see, you now have:
A registered business name - check
Stock - check
Logo and brand - check
Website - check
Time for Launch!!!
On the build up to launching Letterbox Love, I started our Instagram page a month prior just to get people curious and we built up a really nice little following whilst posting sneak previews. We used paid ads on Instagram from our small marketing budget to reach a wider audience so when we came to open the website we had some traffic!
Now don’t get me wrong, wouldn’t it be lovely to see 100’s of orders on the first day, going back to my previous comment about being realistic, it’s because I wasn’t! I had no idea what to expect and I can be honest now and say that when we launched Letterbox Love I thought it would have the same effect as if we were just launching the new iPhone! – let’s all laugh together!
Anyway, just remember you do have a great product, but no one knows about you yet!! I am no marketing expert but luckily I had some great support and that’s when my husband Liam came in to Letterbox Love, after a couple of months Liam joined full time and fully focused his time on SEO and Google Analytics, he retains information like a sponge!! Whereas as I have the attention span of a goldfish… we definitely make a great team! After just a few weeks of really focusing our time on the marketing strategies, the orders were coming through thick and fast and the great thing about Shopify is you can see how that customer found you, so we know whats working and what isn’t. We spoke to MANY digital marketing experts and they all said the same thing… its about trial and error and its definitely a long game.
Anyway… 8 months grafting with Letterbox Love whilst still being in full time employment as a Recruiter, never did I imagine to be resigning to focus more of my time into this little lockdown business I set up in the midst of a pandemic! It didn’t happen overnight, there is a LOT to think about and so many hurdles along the way, some good, some not so good, you learn to fire fight very quickly and manage your emotions.
As I am writing this, of course there is a lot more I could add but I won’t pretend to be a business coach as I am still learning myself, I have a long way to go but I am incredibly passionate about Letterbox Love. I really do believe we have a great product and its that passion that will keep you going too. You will have days where you will just want to sit under your duvet watching Disney films whilst crying into your ice cream, if that’s what you need, do it, but the next day pick yourself back up, dust yourself off and go again, keep going, set yourself goals daily and weekly and feel proud as you tick them off no matter how big or small. This is your journey now so you go at the pace that works for you and no matter what, keep going!
My best bit of advice would be to take your time, listen when given advice and just get stuck in!
Enjoy every second and good luck x
]]>Did you ever think that you might be sat at home during Christmas week, governed by tier restrictions?
Whichever tier you are currently sat in, please don’t cry into your mulled wine; just believe that brighter days are coming. One day, you will actually sit there and say you did it! Look at the personal journey you’ve been on … listening intently to the radio each day; waking up to the news delivering more updates that would inevitably affect your life; selflessly making sure those you care about were doing ok; shopping local, supporting communities and charities and sending endless messages of support to your loved ones. Physically, 2020 put us further apart from each other but emotionally, it has brought us a lot closer together.
Letterbox Love saw so many messages in December; not just of Christmas blessings but messages of support, real love and pure kindness … you guys are amazing! Sincerely, thank you - not only from us, but from the people you went out of your way for - simply to put a smile on their faces. That one kind and selfless act has made a huge difference.
Where will your thoughts be this Christmas?
Granted, this may seem like an odd question. What I mean by this is, rather than wondering what gifts might be under the tree this year (and how quickly we can share them on Instagram), how big the turkey might be, how grand the crackers are looking ... is it really as important as you thought it was last year?
2020 has taught us to love a little more and to appreciate the amazing people around us; the medical staff who have been our light through our darkest time and the incredible scientists who have given us the hope that keeps us going. We can bring our thoughts a little closer to home and think of the delivery drivers working hard to ensure safe delivery of our special gifts and messages, our families, our friends, our neighbours. We’ve learned to be grateful and to show compassion for each other. Our health and our time is the most precious gift of all, as we think of those who have suffered losses this year.
So whatever kind of Christmas you are having, from my family to yours, I wish you the warmest Christmas and a prosperous, happy and healthy New Year!
Kerry - Letterbox Love
x
]]>I work full time as a Recruitment Consultant and have done for 5 years. To my fellow Recruiters out there reading this, you will know of the pace & demands an average day brings and like any job, it comes with its challenges leaving you to juggle a work life balance (I’m still not really sure what one of those is…).
But would I change it… no!
You will not find a person who criticizes me more than me! I have recently realised that is what motivates me, no one needs to tell me to work harder because I do that to myself. I love being kept busy and live my life at a million miles per hour and then the thought came to me; what if I put all this energy and passion into my own business?
Hello Letterbox Love
I couldn’t write down my ideas fast enough, you may have read in my last blog about how LL came from concept to real life; it was all trial and error, speaking to suppliers, negotiating costs, learning how to build a website then learning how to fix a website, creating product descriptions, trialling products, market research, social media bah blah blah - I could literally go on to fill this page.
No one told me how to run a business, or if my jewellery gifts would even be successful and so I have learnt an awful lot and made some silly mistakes. Most importantly, I am learning to be kinder to myself through the process. Nobody expects you to be perfect and as soon as you accept that you WILL make mistakes, the process becomes easier, enjoyable even! Be honest with your customers and suppliers, and in return you might find they actually want to give you a hand up. For example, I am thrilled to give a big shout out to Zoe and the team at Treatbox, the kindest people you could ever work with. They gave us our first opportunity to showcase Letterbox Love, I am still chuffed to bits to be working with a brand that mirrors our values the way they do.
Managing a full-time job and running Letterbox Love is a challenge but it’s a challenge I love. Of course, there have been late nights, weekends and LOTS of tea but it works for me and with the right mindset I promise you can do it too – manage your time effectively, remember to be kind to yourself, do not expect everything to go perfectly, keep the passion, focus and just do it!
So next time you have a business idea and think, nah, it’s just too hard to run alongside my job and I don’t know where to start, think back to this blog written by someone who used to have that mindset.
Everyone starts somewhere, even a few ideas in a notebook, that right there is a start! If I can offer any support at all, I would be happy to – kerry@letterbox-love.co.uk.
Good luck, I can’t wait to see some new entrepreneurs popping up!
]]>So, I have decided to put together my first ever blog! I really want to give you lovely people a good insight in to Letterbox Love and what inspired the brand.
As always I love hearing from you, get in touch anytime and thank you for reading!
Kerry - Founder of Letterbox Love
I'm sure I can speak for us all when I say we have never experienced anything like it, it's been pure chaos (to put it lightly). The sheer thought of being locked down sent most people into melt down mode, mums and dads were made full time entertainers and teachers overnight, people couldn't go to school or work and we became confined to our homes. I mean it's been a real lesson getting my head round Zoom to be involved on the work conference calls, interviewing via Microsoft teams and educating Grandparents on how to video call – but now it seems that we have a made it to the next level of jumanji, we are not out of the woods yet but we are in a much better place than we were 3 months ago.
I've spent a lot of time recently reflecting on all those Thursday nights that we stood on our doorsteps clapping for carers, when singers and dancers started to perform to support our NHS, the game nights and facetiming for the family quiz and the kindness of strangers. It really makes you appreciate what we have now, the freedom we have back in our lives and the people we love being as safe and healthy as possible.
Amongst the chaos the suffering, confusion and pain – we saw so much love and kindness and a new profound respect for each other; that is when Letterbox Love was born.
So, how did Letterbox Love go from idea to conception?
After being inspired by so many amazing people, I started to see and feel more meaning and gratitude towards people, not just family and friends but I started to really appreciate everyone, from the delivery drivers who kept me sane with my beauty deliveries during lockdown, to the NHS and public service employees keeping us safe and protected, to the shop assistant who continued to go to work and help our community, to the local restaurant manager who turned his restaurant into a take away service so my husband could still enjoy local cuisine rather than my own terrible cooking… I could go on (I really really could) but a long story short I just simply had a new found love for the people that kept us going.
So I started to write these emotions down, what I thought and felt and I wanted someone to know! I have never been a poet but as I wrote my ideas down, it just started to flow and many of my messages you see were inspired by the closest people around me.
So, Why bracelets?
I wanted a product that people could easily order, personalise and post to their loved ones. I wanted something that acted as a constant reminder to the recipient of how much they mean to someone and that they are thinking of you. The bracelets in our collection were handpicked, I went for as much variation as I could because after all, people's tastes really do differ and there are so many messages I wanted these bracelets to represent!
Keep on eye out though as we plan to expand into different areas of jewellery and always appreciate your take and feedback.
Creating a brand that represents my products was easier that I thought, I went with my gut and my emotions on the name and it snowballed from there. Not without help of course! I have always been pretty resourceful and I know I can be creative but I wouldn’t know where to begin with graphic design, so my message cards were designed by the talented Sian Lawson. Sian was in the process of finishing off her studies at College in graphic design and what better opportunity to put those skills into practice than with Letterbox Love. With how amazing everything turned out you wouldn’t believe it was her first real project would you!? I am so proud to say that Sian was the person that created our brand logo and our message card templates, watch this space as that girl is going places!
So there you have it, that is what I did in 2020, I would like to finish off by thanking each and every person that has ordered with Letterbox Love, you really are supporting a dream and it means the absolute world, I am always available to take enquiries, take on board your feedback, I would love to hear from you so please get in touch and say hello!
Have a fabulous day and thank you for reading my first ever blog!
Kerry - Founder of Letterbox Love