Surlender Pendress's 2021 Business Growth & Plans

Today we're talking to Surlender Pendress of Love Writing Co. which offers age appropriate writing sets for children aged three to nine years. The company has a national reach and is based in the West Midlands.

April is here – how does this month fit into the ebb & flow of your year? 

April is a an exciting new month for us as finally we can start to support schools in their literacy programs and catchup campaigns – did you know some children are 22 months behind in their learning journey?

Our products can support schools to improve those stats by helping children enjoy their writing journey. 

We also have a wonderful new product launching this month so we are excited – our new product is 12 Washable Arty Crayons – designed for little artists and have three creative uses, crayons, pastels and watercolours! 

As retailers start to open we are looking forward to launching our new bundles and packs in our unique folder style packaging being launched in some stores and we want to support independent retailers so come grab a coffee with me ( virtual coffee is okay for now!!) and find out more about our innovative products. 

Therefore for us, April is full of hope, sun and new exciting opportunities to really make a difference.  

Are you in a business which is either opening up this month – or preparing to open up? 

Luckily we have have been able to do limited online trading as our main distribution channels are schools and retailers ( non-essential ) but due to Covid19 these have been closed for most of the last 12 months, so really looking forward to gearing up and launching our existing and new product range into the market. 

Especially at a time when our products can help support schools with their literacy catch-up campaigns. 

What are you most looking forward to as the country tries to ‘open up’?

I have a new baby grand daughter and I so am looking forward to introducing her to family and taking her out – missed family time has impacted so many people and I have found not having a work/life balance has been difficult at times.  

I am sure this will apply to much of the country but think many of us appreciate our family and friends more than ever and realise we need emotional and physical contact to keep a good balance in life.

On another note what do I do about the people I have not missed and do not want to see ( lol) can I still avoid those people.

It’s also Stress Awareness Month, what measures have you taken in your business to reduce the stress on yourself & your team?

I have a small team but due to lockdown we have had to face stress and mental health issues especially in our younger team members who have had no contact with friends and family. 

I encourage workplace wellness by allowing flexible hours to allow for exercise and as much social activity as possible be it virtual as times. 

Talking to others and encouraging staff to take a break when needed is key and something I have to tell myself to stop burnout!  

What do you do personally to support your health and wellbeing? 

For me connecting with other people and maintaining good relationships is important as I am a social person and thrive being in other people’s company.

Being physically active is also great for my physical and mental wellbeing, I have always tried to maintain a good fitness routine and during lockdown online Zoom classes have kept me motivated as well as long walks to clear the mind have helped. 

Also the odd glass of vino at the weekend to relax does wonders too!! 

Do you see your product/service as one which supports the health and wellbeing of others such as your clients? 

Our products are designed to help children encourage creativity as well improve writing ability. Helping children to express themselves through writing is proven to build confidence. We also have a wellbeing and mental health pack for children age four upwards which is being released shortly. 

As the year goes on, will you take health and wellbeing more seriously going forward?

Lockdown has shown we can enjoy the simpler things in life and things that are free such as parks, gardening, family time but maybe not the homeschool part!! 

Have you got any Spring services or special offers you’d like to mention?

Yes would love to offer 15% off to all readers – please use SPRING15 at the checkout. 

And finally:

April is full of new beginnings and start of a new journey for Love Writing Co. and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the support our community, advisors, manufacturers and networking opportunities who all have supported us in the last 12 months so my advice would be to always be open to networking and asks for help when needed.

For more information visit https://lovewritingco.com/