Over the last year, it’s been a bit of a dream of mine to bring 91 Magazine to life through days out with our readers. I spent months mulling over what these days could involve, how they could be structured and what they would bring to the people who came along. Then one day, in the summer, I had a brainwave. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. For once, instead of rushing head first in to organising it, I have taken my time – thinking, planning and talking to others, and made the decision to launch this idea in 2019.
It has been a slow burner (by my standards!) but I kind of want this to be reflected in the day. While we will pack lots of fun stuff in, I hope that it will feel relaxed and slow, and will allow attendees to soak up the atmosphere, get to know us and each other and enjoy a full day of creativity and inspiration.
I’m thrilled to share that we are now selling tickets to our first ever Seek Inspire Create day out on the 25th February 2019. It will take place in Lewes in East Sussex, a town filled with independent businesses and creative folk – a place I’ve enjoyed visiting to shop and explore over the years.
The idea behind the day is inspired by the hashtag I launched on Instagram around two years ago – #seekinspirecreate. This phrase also went on to become the name of our quarterly e-zine, and it was these three simple words that struck me that day in the summer as being the perfect structure for our days out. I wanted to bring lots of different elements to the day – all of which represent the ethos of 91 Magazine.
Marchand Son
Freight
From Victoria
SEEK
The day in Lewes will begin with SEEK where we will visit three independent shops. Not only we will have time to explore these beautiful spaces and shop (wth discount!), each shopkeeper will spare us some of their time for a chat sharing some insight and expertise. Simon, proprietor of Marchand Son will talk to us about his own brand of eco-friendly paint. I, for one, hope he will explain the stories behind some of his paint colour names! Onwards to Freight, and a chat with shopkeeper Adele about mindful shopping. Finally, Victoria, owner of lifestyle store From Victoria will do a mini Q&A about house plants – so come armed with your plant care queries – I know I have many!
Inglis Hall – our venue for lunch
Social Pow Wow will talk about using Pinterest for business
Jade Golding will talk on how to inspire your customers
INSPIRE
Next, we will move on to the INSPIRE section of the day. And to get inspired, first we must refuel! So we will take a walk up to Inglis Hall – a kitchen design company whose Lewes showroom houses a beautiful fully working kitchen, where a delicious lunch will be prepared for us by Caccia and Tails, a pasta & focaccia bar based in the town. Over lunch, we will have two talks from local creative business women. First up Dorte and Georgie, the brains behind Social Pow Wow, offering digital marketing help to small businesses. They will talk specifically about how to use Pinterest for business, something many of us are not utilising well enough in our businesses. Following this, Jade Golding will talk to the group about how to inspire your customers and the importance of motivational and influential selling tactics. Jade runs lifestyle store The Little Deer and is also a creative business coach. Whether you are an existing business owner or it’s something you aspire to, both of these talks are sure to provide lots of knowledge and insight. Bring your notepads!
AS Apothecary
CREATE
Finally, we will walk off our lunch with a stroll over to AS Apothecary for the CREATE part of the day. AS Apothecary is a skincare brand with a difference. Their natural products are produced in small batches from ingredients picked directly from nature, and owner Amanda is truly passionate about ethical production and simply creating wonderful formulas that are kind to both us and the planet. Her beautiful store will be where we end our day learning how to make our own natural beauty balm to take home over a reviving cup of herbal tea.
Our attendees will hopefully leave with a head full of inspiration and a sense of a day well spent. Time surrounded by like-minded creative souls, learning, chatting, creating together. And, did I mention the goodie bags?! Everyone will leave with a little package of loveliness to take home, plus some further tips for exploring Lewes if you have decided to make a trip of it.
I have curated this day in the same way I curate 91 Magazine – with passion for the things that excite me – independent businesses, creative people, beautiful interiors, great food and appreciation for hand-crafted goods. It is everything I look for in a perfect day out and I hope you will agree! It’s a great chance to spend time with a friend you haven’t seen for a while or the perfect way to socialise and make some new friends with like-minded folk.
Come and be part of the first ever ‘real-life’ 91 Magazine experience! We are so excited to meet you!
