Coming up Roses…

Cath Kidston’s book “Coming up roses” explains the growth of a brand and the maturity of an organisation and how the two are constantly entwined.  Organisational growth can often be compared to life development:-

Early years

Teenage years

Adulthood

This journey has spanned 20 years, the first shop was opened 1993 – 8 Clarendon Cross, London W11.

As the company evolved, Kidston in varying degrees lost and gained control of the brand.  As a larger retail company the Directors expected Kidston to follow seasonal trends and present collections.  However the business was harnessed in its vintage heritage so therefore customers expected to buy a “cowboy print” anytime of the year.  The vision of the business was always very clear making household products colourful and attractive.

There were some very strange ideas around products to license with the brand, anything from pants to a toaster!

Kidston has always been very modest about her achievements even with the labelling, the discreet red letters bear her name, but she always felt the designs were the part that was memorable.

Today Kidston leads the business and is back in the boardroom, she realises when she is not at the helm the integrity and the values slide, no-one cares for it as much as you do.

Below are some key things to remember about protecting and growing your brand:-

For a workshop on personal branding or for nuggets to facilitate a team workshop on organisational growth, please contact bev@nuggetsoflearning.co.uk