Ran a training session this week on a specific sales technique: generating leads by achieving referrals. Some businesses don’t need to advertise, all their business comes by word of mouth, but even so, everyone likes a new client. The session went well, with four hot leads in the bag by the end of the morning but, apparently, the part of the day they liked the most was my home-made banana and butterscotch mini muffins. So it looks like I’ll be baking prior to future sessions… this particular client has already put in a request for chocolate chip next week.
Friday was a madly busy day, chasing all over London. After a meeting with a south London branding company in the morning I met Joan for lunch in Farringdon. We don’t get to see each other often, since she flew away on Coconut Airways, but we always try to catch up when she’s back in the London buzz. For those of you who didn’t know me at 18, Joan was my first boss and, outside of my mum and the other amazing women in my family, my first role model. She probably shaped me into the woman I am today – certainly with regard to work ethic, attention to detail, and how to flirt your way through a negotiation.
We spent five years laughing as we shopped for beautiful things to put in the stores, often working 12 or 14 hour days. But we also found plenty of time to have fun. We lunched at Langans, dressed up for dinners at St Katherine’s Dock and went to the opening night of Les Mis (Bro-Lo likes this). And one more important thing… Joan introduced me to Margaritas. I remember the night like it was yesterday. It was a miserable, drizzly W1 evening and we’d been working really late selecting jewellery and silk sarongs for the next season’s range. I think I’d had a row with my boyfriend or something, and obviously looked like I needed cheering up – so Joan plonked this massive fuchsia straw hat on my head – it was a sample that had arrived from the Philippines that day; she had a turquoise one – and we marched down Oxford Street in the rain to Peppermint Park where we got sloshed on frozen tequila and lime until closing time. And then, of course, I was hooked! So I guess Joan was inspirational in more ways than one… But seriously, she has been a wonderful friend and mentor for more years than I care to admit.
Do you ever stop to think about the people who have inspired you? Take a moment while you’re munching your way through a blueberry muffin to recognise that we’re where we are today through a chain of events: choices, chance meetings, coincidences and circumstances – sometimes beyond our control. (I do love a bit of alliteration.) We’ve all got to where life’s taken us, I hope you’ve enjoyed your journey so far as much as I’ve enjoyed mine.
So anyway, if you fancy a training session with free muffins thrown in, email me! As the hot lady said, ‘Someone left the cake out in the rain, I don’t think that I can take it, cause it took so long to bake it, and I’ll never have that recipe again…’ Well I can take it. And I’ll always have the right recipe for you. Just ask for it: @WeekendWitch
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