At the breakfast table with... Ali from Nearly New Cashmere
Q: Hi guys! Thanks so much for sharing an insight into your world as a family run Yorkshire based business. Could you start with a quick overview of how Nearly New Cashmere Co was born?
A: I’ve always had a dislike of waste so when I was looking for a way of earning a living alongside juggling a family with four children I started buying and selling second-hand clothes through eBay. I always noticed that 100% cashmere items sold really well and so I decided to just focus on second-hand cashmere.
Q: Do you have any top tips for anyone struggling to balance their time between work, family, and ‘me’ time?
A: It’s really tricky to juggle work, family life and time for yourself, not to mention the added challenges of the current circumstances.
I think if you have children it’s always helpful to have a routine - particularly a bedtime one! Mine are grown up now but I remember achieving quite a lot post-bedtime and when I needed to find more time, that hour or two before the house wakes up is absolute bliss.
In terms of ‘me time’ nothing beats a good walk in the Yorkshire Dales!
Q: The past year has been exceptionally difficult for small businesses in the UK. What kind of main challenges has your business faced throughout lockdown? And who or what has helped you to get through these challenges?
A: Yes, it has been an exceptionally difficult time for small businesses in the UK and our main challenge has been pivoting from a fair-based, face-to-face selling business to that of an online digital business. It has been enormously challenging and during the first lockdown quite worrying. I couldn’t have done it without the commitment and flexibility of some really fantastic members of staff not to mention our tech guru, my oldest daughter Immy!
Q: How important do you think local communities are to small businesses?
A: Local communities are essential to small businesses. I certainly couldn’t have grown the business without the enthusiastic response from my local customers in the early years.
Q: What does your morning routine look like at the moment? Is there anything that is absolutely crucial to your routine that helps you to take on the day ahead?
A: My alarm clock goes off at 6:45 am and the day ahead just doesn’t look good if it isn’t started with a cup of tea made by my husband Michael!
Q: It’s great to see that you’re passionate about sustainability, and that your business is all about upcycling and reselling textiles. How important is the concept of circularity to your business in terms of maintaining a positive impact on the environment and challenging fast fashion?
A: Sustainability and the concept of circularity is at the absolute heart of our business.
We buy second-hand cashmere, we refurbish it and then go on to sell it; but if it’s not in good enough condition to re-sell as it is, we cut it up and make hats, neck warmers and gloves ensuring nothing goes to waste.
We repair, patch and refurbish cashmere jumpers for customers to help them keep them going for as long as possible and we take in their unwanted jumpers in return for vouchers to spend online.
We are constantly looking for ways we can make a positive impact on the environment within our business whether it be recyclable packaging or squeezing all we can out of a piece of waste cashmere.
Q: And finally, what is your favourite thing about living and working in Yorkshire?
A: Just one thing? It’s got to be the people, well-known for their straight talking, warm welcomes and love of thrift.
Find out more about Nearly New Cashmere here and on instagram @nearlynewcashmere