Today on the blog, Sarah from Indigo on the Cowley Road in Oxford shares the story behind the store, and their impact as a purposeful businesses. >>
What is the story behind Indigo?
Indigo was born out of travels in India, taking time out from our work at the time. We started with bringing accessories back from the bazaars and selling them at the Oxford Thursday market. On our next trip we started a clothing brand, called Saree, where we were sourcing vintage Saris and up-cycling them into clothing, working alongside local tailors. For a couple of summers we sold at festivals and local events, like the East Oxford Farmers market. In this time we kept being asked if we had a shop….
Everything unfolded with incredible synchronicity after that. Our bank loan was granted on the exact day the Lehman Brothers collapsed, and after some serious soul searching we decided it was a good time to start a sustainable business. We opened our doors on the Cowley Road in November 2008. We have evolved quite a lot since our beginnings, as has the ethical sustainable world, but our core values remain the same. Doing business in a healthy manor, for people and the planet, and doing it with heart.
What is the purpose and vision of Indigo?
To play a small part in co creating a brighter future, together with both our local and extended global community. To provide an oasis for the well being of our local community and to build Indigo so we can be giving back more and invest in our community.
What is the role of business in the community?
When we opened Indigo we envisioned it as a community shop, where all are welcome. It wasn’t just about selling products, we wanted to provide an experience where people will leave feeling better than when they came in.
We provide a homely space, where a diverse range of our community can be in our shop at the same time. People, who might not possibly cross paths, will often strike up conversation.
Each year we give to a local charity at Christmas time and our hope, as the business grows, is that we can increasingly give back to our community.
We also work closely with other local business, supporting and inspiring each other to keep being creative and offer the best service to our community that we all can. More than ever we need the personal touch that small businesses offer.
What support did you receive from eScalate and how has it helped you?
We have received 121 support, which provided us with excellent mentoring during the beginning of the Covid pandemic and encouraged us toward redeveloping our website and strengthening our online presence.
Running a business can feel very alone. To have someone by our side affirming what we were doing was incredibly encouraging and energising, enabling us to be more productive.
Through workshops we’ve gained new skills and networked with some of our local business community.
What are the most rewarding moments you’ve had with running your business in Oxfordshire?
Reaching our 10 year mark felt like a great achievement.
I’d say the most rewarding moments though are hearing the stories shared, especially the stories behind some of the gifts being purchased, and just hearing how much people love Indigo. It’s in these moments we know we’re doing something right.
How have you adapted over the last year?
In the first lockdown we offered home deliveries, which was time consuming but fun! In the second lockdown we used the time to develop our website , so that we were able to sell online again and provide a Click and Collect service. This really helped strengthen sales over Christmas and saved us in the third lockdown.
What are your plans for the future?
We hope to be offering workshops in different areas, collaborating with local crafters and entrepreneurs. This year we became the new local stockists for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®. This is very exciting for us, and opens up new channels of creativity and possibility for us.
You can find Indigo at 62 Cowley Road, Oxford or online at shopindigo.co.uk.
