Jo's Journal - November 2019

As October draws to a close, we are in full Christmas preparation at Mantra. In particular, this means looking at which pieces of jewellery have been the most popular this year, to make sure we don’t run out of stock as Christmas approaches.

The great thing for us is that you all buy across a really wide range of pieces. I am delighted by this, because it means you are each choosing a piece very specifically to suit the occasion, the person or the circumstance.

This is how we originally envisaged Mantra. That we would have enough different mantras to cover the many, many occasions in all of our lives when some uplifting and inspiring words would make a real difference to how you feel, or how you’d like a loved one to feel.

In the New Year, we’ll be asking you if there are particular themes or messages you would like to see in our collection, that you think we are missing. If you want to tell us right away, then drop me an email right now, to jo.stroud@mantrajewellery.co.uk.

October has been Breast Cancer month, and we have been talking a lot about our heart necklace in aid of Breast Cancer Haven, as well as taking it to a Wellbeing Festival in Coventry, organised by the charity. Many of you have bought it this month, which we really appreciate - as it means a bigger donation to BCH.

One of our team members came back from maternity leave this month, which is very exciting for us. Pallavi is our eCommerce Manager, and I have missed her hugely positive and problem-solving approach to life. Already mum to 5 year old Swara, with Dhvani now joining the family, Pallavi is navigating the world of work with two children to raise....

I have been very privileged this month to start working with a number of new collaborators also. I truly believe that collaboration is the way forward in business.

One of our amazing customers, Claire, has been a Mantra fan for the last two years, loving our myMantra collection in particular. Meeting up with her recently, she asked me if I would consider a charity collaboration with PANDAS, the charity that helps with pre- and post-natal depression. We are currently working on creating a powerful mantra to support new mums, before we plan how to bring that to life as a new necklace.

I also met with two other truly inspirational women this month - Niyc Pidgeon, and Dr Gemma Newman - with a view to creating a necklace collaboration with each. We are at an early stage – but I hope to bring you two new collaborations soon.

Niyc is a long-time inspiration to me, having seen her speak at a Hay House event some years ago, and then buying her positive psychology guidebook, Now Is Your Chance. Now living in LA, Niyc is a brilliant example of a woman who has created an incredible business, helped many women, and let nothing stand in her way.

Dr Gemma Newman is equally impressive, in a very different way. A working GP with solid clinical experience, she has become convinced of the enormous benefits of plant-based living and a positive, grateful approach to life. I am loving working with her, and am learning so much.

Look out for exciting collaborations with these two powerhouses soon.

October finished with Paul and me on holiday for 10 days, enjoying some sunshine and relaxation together - before we enter the busy festive season. Taking time out with our loved ones is so important, and I would urge everyone to prioritise time together with your partner. For me, a holiday is a time for reading interesting books – this time, ‘Black Box Thinking’, about how we learn from, and how we interpret, failure; listening to inspiring audio books – like Gabrielle Bernstein’s ‘Judgement Detox’; and doing some thinking and planning about the future, in a relaxed setting. 

Our focus at Mantra over the next two months is on helping you to have a relaxing, enjoyable and mindful Christmas season. So, I’ll sign off for now, and look forward to catching up with you next month.

Lots of love,  

Jo xxx