Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - January / February 2021

86 BEST KEPT SECRETS T +44 (0)1670 512 222 E: sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk What sets you apart from your competitors? Several years ago, Best Kept Secrets introduced ‘Sparkly Toppings’ onto four of our candles. Customers loved them, so Sparkly Toppings are now on all the candles and diffuser. Sparkly Toppings make them look so pretty. How are you finding the current climate in the UK? Is it affecting business? There is no doubt 2020 has been a challenging year. Some of our biggest customers rely heavily on international tourists and with virtually no air travel, they have clearly suffered. Our exports have also been badly affected. Nevertheless, we remain buoyant and believe 2021 will see something of a return to ‘normal.’ Are you active on social media? How is this important for the business? We love the contact between social media and our customers. It allows us another platform to reach out to them. Many customers send us photos of the candles in their homes or fabulous displays in retail stores. We love seeing them. Do you have any advice for new businesses starting out in the world of gifts? When comparing running your own business against working for a big company, there are higher highs but the lows are lower. Life in giftware is certainly a challenge but the feeling of achievement is (almost) the best thrill in the world. What can we expect in the future from the company? I’m very excited about a new range of glass candles that will hit the shops early in 2021. There are three exciting glass designs, all in a superb gift box. It really is a wonderful gift and will be available well in time for Mothering Sunday. In addition, wax melts have been completely re-styled, so there is lots of new items for customers in 2021. If you would like to add questions, please do. or if there’s something you’d like to shout about add anything on to the end! Success in business is all about people. Of course, the product must be right, but the human touch turns an OK company into a winning one. So, the day to day relationship with customers and staff is crucial. When a conversation with a customer is more like talking to a friend, you know you’re on the right track. When meeting a customer at a trade show is a pleasure, you know you’re on the right track. When you see customers more as friends, you’re on the right track. Best Kept Secrets employs ten staff, without them the business would simply not function. I have nothing but praise for the whole team and it is teamwork that makes Best Kept Secrets tick.