You may not realise this, but I got married once. And the thing that struck me when I was planning said wedding is that the wedding industry was a bit of a marvel. Alongside the multimillion pound economy that this industry generates, there are small, independent creative pixies who are ploughing every bit of their hearts and souls into creating beautiful things for soon-to-be-wed couples. The amount of support and camaraderie amongst these grassroots suppliers is staggering.
Well, I’m now one of those pixies.
One of my former colleagues asked me whether I was worried about silo working and not seeing other people anymore. I looked at her blankly. I’m not working alone, I told her, I’ve got thousands of colleagues and a massive support network. Admittedly, they’re not in the same room as me, but they’re not far away. They are in a little box in the corner of my screen, twittering away. They are in floods of emails in my inbox. They are in amazing blog posts like this one by Tattybojangles and this super leaving card from the lovely Leah at Golden Apple Designs.
With coworkers like this, who needs to leave the house anyway?
All of which is to say thank you. Thanks to everyone who has wished me well on my journey into self-employment, to those who have sent cards and even gifts and to everyone who has commented throughout the internet to wish me luck. I am proud and privileged to call you my colleagues as well as friends.
9 comments
October 7, 2011 at 12:11 pm
This is such a lovely post, Emma. The support network really does make all the difference, huh? xx
October 7, 2011 at 12:15 pm
You’re not wrong my lovely. I realise that it is an industry predominantly full of women and that whenever women gather en mass there will undoubtedly be bitchiness; but even in those fraught moments of jealousy and competition my love affair for the amazing people who make this “job” feel more like brilliant fun is inexhaustible! x
October 7, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Congratulations Emma!! So pleased for you and wishing you all the very very best! xxxx
October 7, 2011 at 2:10 pm
You’re soo welcome lovely, and thanks for supporting me too
xxx
October 7, 2011 at 8:27 pm
You’re spot on! Us pixies really do put everything we’ve got into our wedding businesses. We’re never alone and it’s great to know that all your colleagues are as passionate about it as you are. Aside from the odd oversized ego I’ve encountered, everyone is lovely and let’s face it, there are plenty of brides to go round.
Keep up the good work! xx
October 7, 2011 at 8:59 pm
Thanks Louise!
October 7, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Congratulations Emma! You are living the dream, wishing you all the best!! I have to agree the wedding industry is full of so many amazing & supportive friends, how lucky are we to be a part of it?! xx
October 7, 2011 at 10:10 pm
We sure are!
October 7, 2011 at 10:36 pm
This is just lovely.
x