Independent Retail Awards 2015 - IndiaCoco
16th Dec 2015 • CLAIRE HARPER
Delighted to announce IndiaCoco has recently been awarded Highly Commended for Best New Store, Independent Retail Awards in association with CWB. CWB commented "A slick and professional operation backed by a robust marketing strategy that includes PR, social media, targeted email campaigns, blogs and store events"
A career working in high level positions for some of the UK's biggest retailers has given Claire Harper a wealth of experience that today she applies to her childrenswear business, IndiaCoco. Based in West Yorkshire, IndiaCoco launched in 2012 specialising in British childrenswear brands. It has an online business growing across the UK and internationally, a small concession in local, award-winning Blacker Hall Farm and in 2013, opened its first bricks and mortar store in Wakefield. In May 2015, Claire moved the business to a new flagship in the city's Trinity Walk Shopping Centre and is looking into opening further UK stores and launching an own-label baby collection. Customer service includes a personal shopping team, styling advice and complimentary gift wrapping. To increase brand awareness and profile, IndiaCoco uses PR, social media, targeted marketing, blogs and store events.
IndiaCoco founder shortlisted for Business Woman of the Year in Yorkshire Choice Awards
16th Dec 2015 • CLAIRE HARPER
IndiaCoco founder shortlisted for Business Woman of the Year.
Claire Harper in the running for the Yorkshire Choice Awards 2016.
Claire Harper, founder of Wakefield childrenswear independent IndiaCoco and highly commended finalist in the recent CWB Independent Retail Awards 2015, has been shortlisted for Business Woman of the Year in the Yorkshire Choice Awards 2016.
The Yorkshire Choice Awards are a celebration of achievement in Yorkshire and recognise local people and independent businesses that are an inspiration in their field.
To vote for Claire, please visit www.yorkshirechoiceawards.co.uk. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony and gala dinner at The Centenary Pavilions, Leeds Utd on 2 April 2016.
Yorkshire's Finest Excellence in Business Awards 2015 - Yorkshire Post
22nd Sep 2015 • CLAIRE HARPER
Last week the shortlist was unveiled for The Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards 2015. The shortlist includes companies of all shapes and sizes. They include household names and young brands like IndiaCoco striving to grow with passion, determination and resilience. We are absolutely delighted to announce that IndiaCoco has been nominated for Young Business of the Year. To be amongst the nominations is a key success and positive recognition in itself. What all of the nominations share is a passionate enterprising spirit, combined with the traditional Yorkshire virtues of thrift, strong work ethic and common sense. Last week, a judging panel met at The Yorkshire Post's headquarters in Leeds to decide who will walk away with the trophies on the most prestigious night in the region's corporate calendar. Nicola Furbisher, managing editor of The Yorkshire Post chaired the judging session, which included representatives from DLA Piper, Yorkshire Bank, PWC and Bradford University School of Management. The awards programme is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and we are looking forward to meeting the special guest this year, Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu who will be speaking about the responsibility in business in his address. Many congratulations to all companies great and small who have been shortlisted this year and we are looking forward to attending the event on October 14.
Jessica Ennis-Hill - This is the sort of Inspiration all women should look to. A blog from Speakers Corner
28th Aug 2015 • CLAIRE HARPER
I run but I am not a runner. I run so that I can eat what I like and because I like the feel of the wind in my eyes. Strange I know but I also have two small children, a job and a demanding home life so I enjoy any period of time that takes me away from all that. So it is with awe that I have been watching the World Athletics Championships in Beijing.
I was jumping up and down with joy when Usain Bolt beat the “baddy” Justin Gatlin in the Men’s 100m and I had tears in my eye when Katarina Johnson-Thompson missed out on the chance of a medal in the Heptathlon, but like most people the real focus of my admiration was for the eventual Heptathlon champion, Jessica Ennis-Hill. What an amazing athlete she is, especially coming back to the top of her game so soon after having a baby. There has been a lot of focus on this as part of her achievement and it got me thinking about being a working mum and what it entails. Now I’m clearly not saying that we can all win a gold medal but there are factors in Jess’ success that are common to most working parents, but especially Mothers.
One of the most impressive things about Jessica’s achievement is that she had her son only 13 months ago – imagine having those abs only 13 months after giving birth, imagine! But seriously pregnancy, childbirth and the after effects take its toll on the body. She took 4 months off but having the dedication to train around the tiredness and demands of looking after a very young baby should be admired.
Jess said in an interview with the BBC that she was anxious about coming back.
"Before you become a parent, you think it will be easy," she said. "Then you're thrown into it and realise it's incredibly hard. I would be lying if I said I didn't have moments when I thought: 'What am I doing?'."
That’s not that different from how I felt when I came back to work after having my first and then my second child. How will I cope? How will I get everything done? Can I be as successful as I was before? These are some of the questions she probably asked herself and so do working mothers everywhere. The truth is that some days and weeks are easier than others but you do it because you want, need or have to and like Jess you do it to the best of your ability. Life becomes more of a juggling act but it all gets done in end.
Being back at work after having a child means that you are probably a better worker than you were before. You have less time to do everything so you can be more focussed, less time wasting happens and you are more productive. Her achievement proves that just because you are a mum, it doesn’t mean you can’t be anything else.
One thing that I’m sure that Jessica must have in order to compete at the highest level is a great support system. This will have facilitated a smoother and less stressful return to work for her. I don’t know her childcare situation but she has a supportive husband and a coach that knows her inside out. Whether it is an excellent nursery, nanny, after school club or super helpful grandparents, it definitely helps to know that your number one priorities are being well cared for while you are giving your all elsewhere.
There are other high profile working mums who we can also hold up as role models – Claire Harper, Sheryl Sandberg, Tamara Lohan for example. These are the type of woman we should encourage our daughters, nieces and even ourselves to want to be like. They, and Jessica, show that it is possible to return to your very best after maternity leave.
My Speaking Journey
27th Aug 2015 • CLAIRE HARPER
My story is one of resilience, passion and and very hard work. Over the past two years my speaking engagements have grown significantly and I am now delighted to be working with a world class speaking agency, Speakers Corner, enabling me to speak at many different events across the UK.
Every success story is a tale of constant adaption, revision and change and I always find the audience wants to know the highs and the lows. I am always very open and honest with the audience in my key speeches. If I can inspire the audience to ‘think’ or ‘do’ something differently by the end of my speech I always feel very motivated by that.
I speak from the heart and I personally thrive on change. The challenge to constantly innovate, I believe, distinguishes between a leading brand and a follower brand. I am also very passionate about the customer and I have worked for some fabulous customer-centric companies; some more so than others. We have spent a lot of time building a strong brand foundation at IndiaCoco, being very clear about our customer proposition and brand values.
I often get asked in my speeches what success looks like? I have learnt that success is about knowing your customer. Work out who your customer is and what they really want. It is a process that should be ongoing.
Starting a business is not for the fainthearted. Know from the start what you are getting into. The other challenge I have learnt is not to be afraid of failure. If you are really entrepreneurial and have the passion and self-belief to go forward, failures will only make you stronger.
IndiaCoco is now a multi-channel; award-winning retailer and we are planning to roll out the brand across the UK over the next few years.
Our customers and team will always come first and we will continue to work extremely hard to really go that extra mile. Public speaking is now playing a key role in terms of of my own personal and business strategy. Sharing trends, insights and engaging audiences with my evolving story and brand is very exciting. With today’s social media explosion we are currently more connected than ever before and it is so important to be true to yourself and to your subject. I feel very inspired to be working with Speakers Corner. I have worked with so many great clients to date and look forward to many future opportunities ahead.
For more information, please do take a look at my personal website.
Claire Harper - the story so far
26th May 2015 • CLAIRE HARPER
I AM DELIGHTED TO INTRODUCE THE LAUNCH OF MY NEW WEBSITE, showcasing my marketing skills and experience, as well as my personal journey to running my own business.
My story is one of resilience, passion and a great deal of dedication and hard work. Since launching my business I have been invited to speak at many events, conferences and awards, and I am now delighted to work with Speakers Corner both nationally and globally, talking about business, marketing, brand, customer service and the daily juggling challenges of being a busy working mum.
© 2024 Claire Harper