First Swish It! proves a smash hit with more planned

Southbourne’s very first Swish It! proved a big success with more than 60 people attending, live BBC interviews, and a long waiting list for the next event.

As reported on Dorset Biz News, the clothes swap was organised by Bournemouth-based and female-led sustainable businesses, Buddy and Noo and Warrior Agency.

It was hosted by The Larder House in Southbourne.

Picture: Jayne Jackson Photography

The event saved countless clothes from landfill, by encouraging attendees to swap pieces they no longer wanted for some ‘new-to-you’ items.

Co-hosts Alice Nichol, Founder of sustainable styling service Buddy and Noo, and Lizzie McManus, Founder of ethical PR agency, Warrior, joined forces to make fashion more sustainable through swishing.

The duo also involved local seamstress Jeni Money-Mann, who offered on-site alterations and repairs for clothes that needed a few tweaks before going to their new home.

The afternoon of swishing also did good for people, as well as the planet, by supporting local cause, the Dorset-based Wardrobe Foundation.

All proceeds and unswapped clothes were donated to support its work helping women in need.

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Feel the lurve in Wimborne as BID says thank you for loving local

Wimborne BID gave out Valentine’s Day cards and other goodies as a thank you to shoppers for loving local.

The BID Team were joined in The Square on Saturday February 12 by a dedicated team of volunteers from the Dorset Volunteer Programme.

They presented small gifts, cards and money off coupons from businesses in Wimborne.

Kyleigh Orlebar, BID Director, said: “The last two years have been a particularly challenging time for all businesses, but in Wimborne we’ve enjoyed the unwavering support of our communities.

“We wanted to say thank you on behalf of all of Wimborne’s businesses with a small gift and coupons from businesses themselves.”

Wimborne’s businesses are also supporting Love Local Day in partnership with ShopAppy.

You can nominate your favourite local business to get a Love Local Day prize, and enter into a prize draw yourself to win ShopAppy vouchers.

Nominations can be made here.

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Free opportunity to experience business mentoring offered by DorMen

Dorset Business Mentoring (DorMen) is offering business owners and entrepreneurs the opportunity to experience business mentoring.

It’s a free event at The Grasshopper in Parkstone, Poole, on Thursday February 17.

Alistair Bayliss, Programme Manager, pictured left, said: “Running and developing your own business is incredibly rewarding, but it has its challenges too.

“Where do you go to get perspective, plan your strategy or just say your ideas out loud and get some feedback?

“Dorset Business Mentors has an unparalleled network of business mentors who can help with all this and much more.”

The informal session will allow businesses to learn about the service, meet a mentor and run through an exercise to experience mentoring in action.

The session runs from 6.30pm.

Tickets are limited. Click here to book.

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Saffery Champness sponsor ‘Family Business of the Year’ category

Accountancy firm Saffery Champness is sponsoring the ‘Family Business of The Year’ category at the newly launched Bournemouth Business Awards.

Partner Hannah Mazrae, pictured left, said: “We are delighted to support these awards which recognise excellence in our communities across Bournemouth.

“Bournemouth is home to a number of thriving businesses across all sectors of varying size and the award categories cater for everyone.

“Supporting family businesses is at the heart of the Bournemouth office.

“Our team supports a significant portfolio of clients within the local market, acting for small entrepreneurial businesses to large corporate entities.

“We are extremely proud to work alongside our clients assisting them to develop a range of strategies and solutions to aid success.”

The Bournemouth Business Awards are the latest in a series of successful local business awards across Dorset, organised by MW Events.

They include Poole, Wimborne, Dorchester/Poundbury, Sherborne, Weymouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis.

There are a total of 14 business categories plus an Overall Business of the Year.

To enter, click here.

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