Elly Simmons (above), mum of 5-month-old Finn, 5-year-old Freddie and co-business owner of Herringbone Kitchens with her husband Will, talks about family life, running a business and dealing with the current situation from a personal as well as professional perspective.
2020 has not had the start we all expected it to have. The situation we are currently finding ourselves in is not one we could have ever prepared for. On 23rd March we temporarily shut our workshop and studio, with only our designers working from home taking virtual consultations.
My son Freddie had his last day of school the Friday before, which felt strange enough however, we now had to deal with running a business from home, taking care of our team virtually, homeschooling and keeping our 5-month-old baby son Finn entertained from our home in Canterbury.
What Would Lockdown Mean?
Most Brits and most people around the world are worried about what the lock down means and what type of world we will be left with. Anxiety, stress and fear of the unknown is a terrifying place to be in. However, now that we’re in the mist of our new normal, there are things I’ve learnt along the way that I hope can help others in a similar position.
Plan Ahead To Thrive
I’m a great believer in business planning, both for growth and crisis. It is incredibly important as it allows for flexibility and transparency. Back in February we worked really hard to get the workshop 6 weeks ahead in production and ordered materials so we would be able to start full steam ahead when it is safe to open again.
We continue to have team meetings at the pub on Fridays, now they are just on Zoom and we have a team WhatsApp to keep in touch and keep each other’s spirits up during lockdown.
From a personal level, I was really worried about Freddie having something to do with everything else going on so I panic bought nerf guns for Freddie to play with. It’s been my best decision to date! William and Freddie play with them every day and have a lot of fun doing so whilst Finn and I look on. It’s great entertainment for all. For us we thrive on quick decisions as a family and enjoy the spontaneity in order to thrive.
Change Your Mindset
It’s a hard thing to lose control and in a pandemic you cannot do much about a government enforced lockdown. However, one thing I would say is that changing your mindset from panic-mode to solution-mode has been a game changer. This is both when it comes to work and family.
Adapt your business to fit with the current situation – being virtual. We have taken all our design consultations online which has proved a huge success. Before our clients would have to come into the studio for the consultation however, being able to make these quick decisions has really helped the business and our sanity. Since the lockdown we have held more Zoom design consultations than we would have had normally in the studio.
We are incredibly thankful for our health and all the key-workers out there doing all they can. Having young children is incredibly grounding during this time. Watching Finn find his toes just reminds you how small we all are and how precious life is.
Look At Creativity As Fun
Being in a lockdown doesn’t give you more time, in fact I would say I’m busier than ever. However, what it does do is force you to think differently and really reconsider what you want to be known for. For us it’s meant becoming an open book. We have always been thankful for our team, been transparent on all our platforms and shared faces behind the business. However, we’ve learnt that it is also OK to show your vulnerability as a business. This is not normal to anyone, and that’s OK, that is what is connecting all of us.
We have also been racking our brain trying to think what we could do to help the workforce, but our workshop is not geared up to make hand sanitizer or ventilators. Then a team member’s wife approached us about making visors for the NHS, which we are thrilled to be able to do. A few members of the team are volunteering to help make these starting next week and we are so glad to be able to help.
William and Freddie recently created a film quiz made out of LEGO which we have had a lot of fun guessing as a team. It’s things like this that keeps moral up and continues to bond us as a team and as a family too!
Look To The Future
The important thing is to remember that this isn’t forever but also be realistic of the potential consequences. We understand this year will impact everyone and when the lockdown is lifted we will need to work much harder to get back up to pace.
We have told the team that any profit in the business one year from now, it will be shared evenly among every team member.
William and I are making every effort to be thankful for the here and now, for our boys, and the time we get to spend as a family. We understand that we are incredibly lucky and we believe in positivity enabling an exciting future.
