Papplewick woman Helen has turned lockdown into business success

Prior to lockdown, Helen, 45, from Papplewick was an image consultant who helping ladies taking the stress out of getting dressed.

This meant she travelled to clients homes but all that stopped overnight when the country went into lockdown.

So instead, like other entrepreneurs, Helen had think on her feet.

The result was the brand new venture Wardrobe Fairy Boutique, which sees Helen offering affordable quality clothes through a new Facebook group and existing website at www.wardrobefairynottingham.com.

And the project has been a big hit with her old customers and many new ones.

She said: “When Covid hit and I was no longer able to visit client's homes I made the decision to diversity and expand my styling service and open up an online boutique, which is something I have always wanted to do.

"I love clothes and accessories and for me having the boutique is a natural progression of my business.

“In my VIP Facebook group I show how the clothes can be styled and model the clothes myself to take the pictures, showing what they look like on a real middle-aged women with hips and boobs.

"My customers love the fact they can see what the clothes look like before they buy.

"They often send me messages asking if I think it would suit them and ask advice about sizing, for example, and with my image consultant training I can advise on fit, style and sizing.

“My Wardrobe Fairy Boutique is online only and I do not offer visits to my home.

"Instead I offer free local delivery to the Hucknall, Linby, Papplewick areas and I offer a free doorstep style delivery where customers can borrow up six items from the boutique, have them delivered to their door, try on at their leisure and I collect the items they don’t want a day or two later.

"The only stipulation is that the items must be returned in perfect condition with no marks, makeup stains or damage and with labels still attached.

"This has been very successful during lockdown, many customers really enjoying the fact they can try on at home without the inconvenience of having to return something by post if it doesn’t fit.

“I also offer a surprise pink package service where I choose three of four items from my boutique and either send them to customers, or deliver locally.

"After the customer answers a few questions about things like size, height or frame, I choose items I think are best suited to them customer and they have no idea what I have chosen until it arrives.

“When we are allowed to have large meet-ups indoors I am hoping to introduce style parties and pop-up shops where I bring the boutique to you.

I think with so many of the high street stores closing, especially locally, it’s good to have an alternative for stylish ladies’ clothes and accessories.

"I cater for sizes six to 26, items like leather bags, cashmere scarves and jewellery are also available and everything is available to buy on my website.

“I also use my Instagram and Facebook pages to promote some of the items available and people can shop through these platforms too.”