Name: Birdcage Barn Emporium
Based: Chichester
Website: www.birdcagebarn.co.uk
We’re a family-run business that specialises in recycling. We have a 2,500 sq ft industrial unit where we run a small craft supplies and gift shop, a large furniture warehouse, and a large workshop (where we have a small sewing room and run a variety of crafty courses).
We made huge changes this year. By the end of 2014 we realised how wonderful diaries are, so this year we bought some, and we’re using them and sticking to them.
We also thought hard about our future and what we can do differently. We’ve taken on a business coach to help us change our ways. We’re in the process of systemising our whole business – which for creative, crafty types like us is hard but we’re seeing the benefits already.
Using systems in our business has meant that we can take on more work, particularly commissions and ensure that we can keep to timescales.
All in all, it’s not been an experiment in rocket science; it’s taken small simple steps and discipline to follow the rules we’ve set ourselves. We’d recommend it to anyone.
Emma Gray is managing director of Birdcage Barn Emporium
