Bridal buyer

71

REAL LIFE

WWW.BRIDALBUYER.COM

“Since beginning

my business I

have started to

get up earlier.

It’s a miracle I’m

surviving at the

moment”

My working day

I usually get up at about 6am, which is pretty early for me.

I used to need eight hours sleep but since beginning my

business I have started to get up earlier. It’s a miracle that

I’m surviving at the moment.

Once I’ve dragged myself out of bed I have a cup of tea

and some breakfast before starting my social media updates

at 6.30am. I do this every day for about an hour in the

morning. So many opportunities have arisen through social

media and so I think it is really important to do it regularly.

At 7.30am I get dressed and then pack up

the orders that I’m going out on the road to

deliver that day. A typical day could see me

driving to retailers all over the country; this

week for example I am going to north Wales

to drop off some orders and also visiting

shops including Love Bridal Boutique and

Elegant Steps.

Around visiting a few retailers I also have

regular meetings with people to discuss

further plans for the label. This week I went

to a photo studio to discuss my look-book

and I spent several hours planning what

will go into it, what will be in each shot and

which dresses I will pair with my designs. I want to get it

done as soon as possible as I think it will be really good

to have editorial shots rather than just pictures on white

backgrounds.

After grabbing a bite to eat with one of my stockists, I

usually head back to my offi ce in my house to do a few bits of

admin. I will then also spend a bit more time on social media

updating my Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

I absolutely hate Twitter but do it because I have to for

work. However, I like Facebook and Instagram, although I’ve

given up on personal Facebook and just use it for work now.

Sending off samples is also really important and in the

afternoons I will also respond to any editorial requests I

have had from the media.

Since the brand launched a few months ago, I’ve had a

great response from the press and have been in magazines

such as Wedding Ideas and Perfect Wedding. I have sent

press releases out in the past and also got a lot of interest

from press at White Gallery.

After fi nishing a day’s work I will often take our dogs,

Meg and Coco, out for a walk. We live in the countryside so it

is nice to get out and about.

I’ll then make some dinner. I like cooking but I’m trying

to be healthy at the moment and not have

too many carbs, so we will have something

like tuna steak with Chinese greens and my

husband will have his with noodles.

I normally head to bed at about 11.30pm

to try and grab as much sleep as I can before

the alarm goes off at 6am again. BB

Charlotte Mills

Home life: Charlotte lives in Saddleworth, with her

husband Ross and their two dogs Meg and Coco.

Work life: Charlotte is the creator of the Charlotte Mills

bridal footwear brand, which launched in April 2014.

Instagram is a handy

tool that Charlotte

uses daily

MY 9-5

Something old, Something

new, Something borrowed,

Something blue.

A sixpence in her shoe

071.BB.163.my day.indd 71 06/06/2014 12:25