To the team at Handsup, words actually can't express my gratitude.....
From the moment I first viewed the Handsup video and got goosebumps I knew this event was going to be an absolute winner and it became the only small ray of hope my business could cling to. After losing the business and our house in the Feb 22nd quake, my 3 beautiful and unsettled children (5yr, 4yr and 1yr) became my number one priority. Priorities change when you go through this sort of disaster.
Handsup gave me a little bit of guilty pleasure (and sanity!) planning my stand, buying stock and feeling like a normal person again. I am absolutely blown away by the time, energy and generosity of everyone involved. I think guiltily if the roles were reversed would I be so keen to put my own hand up..........I'd like to think I would have. However, I can say without a shadow of a doubt now that I absolutely would. This experience has made me a better person. That's huge.
After the first few sales on Saturday I had a moment. The squeals of delight, the ooohs and aaaahs.........I had totally forgotten what that was like, I hadn't heard it for such a long time! The compliments, the assurance that other people actually love what you love. Giving pleasure. I was absolutely fizzing. That continued ALL weekend. What a shot for the soul.
The whole weekend. It bought home how we are living our lives so differently. How I enjoyed talking to people (other retailers, the public, the organisers etc) and being part of something social and normal! I tend to scuttle out, drop kids to school or do the groceries then scuttle home. My shop used to be the social hub of our small community. How I miss it.
This event has given me the opportunity to financially keep my head above water and given me the motivation and enthusiasm to get cracking again! I hope to launch the website in a couple of weeks and already have orders to fill. Love those Wellington gals!!!
Thanks especially to Vanessa from Magnolia Trading and our other lovely volunteers.
From Mel and Emma my trustee helper we say THANKYOU xxoo
Blackbird
Mel, you've described so perfectly exactly how I feel - I'd forgotten what normal felt like until Hands Up! The financial benefits of an event like this are great, but it's the "motivation and enthusiasm to get cracking again" (not to mention regained sanity) that is even more valuable!
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