How will you remember 2020?
Well, 2020 certainly was a year to remember – for good reasons and bad. For many of us, Christmas offers the perfect time and space to reflect on the year just gone, while making a few plans for the year to come.
We asked some of our new clients how this unforgettable year has been for them and what they hope 2021 will bring. Here’s what they said…
Lola Swift
- Interior Designer & Colour Consultant
“This year, in particular, has brought many challenges for us all. But just as the first lockdown gave us things we unexpectedly found to cherish, I think it is possible that this Christmas can be made as magical, if not more magical, than any other.
“I’ve created an ebook this year, which can be downloaded or viewed on our website. It invites readers to make lasting memories and add new traditions to their Christmas. They can find out about Christmas colour schemes and get decorating ideas. I’m inviting them to connect with friends and family through fantastic creative activities. They can also pick up tips on how to create a Scandinavian-inspired Christmas Eve, complete with mouthwatering food. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas.”
Neil Dickinson
- Scotch Publishing
“I’ll be spending this Christmas at home in Surrey with my wife and two children, keeping safe. My favourite thing about Christmas is seeing my children’s faces in the morning, and sitting in front of a nice log fire after lunch.”
“Despite all the problems of Covid, 2020 was an exciting year for me, because I self-published and launched my first children’s storybook. Scotch the Scare-go is sold via a great website, designed and built by Allie, and sales are going really well. I’m hoping that this might even accelerate in the run up to Christmas. In 2021 I aim to publish the second book in the series and hopefully go from strength to strength.
Patrick Joseph
- Artisan tailor and facemask maker
“It’s been a hugely interesting year for me, one that started with moving my business to Ruthin Craft Centre, in North Wales. We were in the middle of setting up the new workshop/retail space when COVID-19 hit and over the space of just four days, most of my shirt orders were cancelled.
“I became interested in face coverings and made a few proto facemasks, which were very well received by friends. I set up a community group of friends and volunteers and we quickly learned to cut and sew and made a lot of masks as donations to Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and others. I was also able to launch our new website, working with Allie and Manage My Website.
“I’m particularly excited about 2021, because it marks my 40th year in the fashion industry, I’m looking forward to putting on a show of work I’ve been involved in over the years. I began doing a lot more teaching during the lockdown, and this has been hugely satisfying. I hope to do more in 2021. It’s great to see interest resurging among young people, who don’t just want to design, but make, too.”
“Christmas isn’t really a time when I see any rush on my orders; regular clients may splash out on something special or buy gift vouchers for friends. I love Christmas and the joy it brings. For me, it’s a time to reflect on the year ending, to take a break and plan for the coming year. This Christmas will be all about setting up my new home here in Ruthin.”
Fleur Demeranville Dash
- Bath-based maker of ‘60s and ‘70s inspired handmade garments
“It’s been quite a year for every one, hasn’t it? This Christmas, I’m looking forward to taking some time to toast chestnuts over the fire and relax with family. I feel so blessed to be warm, healthy and loved! I send out petals and colour to you all – and look forward to a fantastic new year.”
Grow Batheaston
- Bringing health and wealth to the people of Batheaston
“As we climb nearer to the top of the mountain that is 2020 and a tumultuous year draws to a close, humankind has never been more reminded of how dependent we are on the natural world; for our water, food and the very air we breathe. A natural world in which humans are such a tiny presence, but whose destructive influences range far and wide.
“When Grow Batheaston was formed in March, due to the need of a small group of local residents to tell the world that something was going terribly wrong, we had no idea how to do this. By focusing on food, growing, community in our local area, we expanded our ideas through discussion and consensus. We now have a fantastic website, funding received and funding pending and many plans for the future. Welcome 2021.”
Anna Barton
– Bath-based advanced personal trainer
“Well, what a year 2020 has been! Despite us all living through this crazy pandemic, which has provided many challenges, it’s also been a time of opportunity and growth for my small personal-training business.
“After branching out on my own at the start of the year, I quickly had to adapt how I delivered my training to comply with lockdown restrictions. My ‘in-home’ mobile 121 PT sessions swiftly moved to virtual zoom sessions or socially distanced outdoor training sessions, using sanitised equipment and weights.
“My loyal, lovely clients were fantastic and totally understanding; the transition to the new way of working was pretty slick and easy. And with many large gyms closed during lockdown, I had more interest and enquiries as to how I could help people keep fit and healthy while at home. My brand new website, built by Manage My Website, launched in the summer of 2020 and it was the icing on the cake in terms of making a name for my business locally.
“Christmas 2020 will be a time to relax, switch off, tone down the training a little, spend time with my little family bubble and look forward with optimism and hope to a happy and healthy 2021. I hope we can soon see life start to get back to normal. Merry Christmas everyone.”
We hope 2021 is a great year for you, as always please get in touch if we can help with your website or new venture! With best wishes from the Manage My Website team.