After a transparent review in 2021, it's time for the 2022 review, a little late but this year, we're taking our time.
Great opportunities, some bad choices, a welcome grant, new hires, and always, invaluable support…
As in all life, and especially that of a business, there are ups and downs. But we love taking on challenges and we continue to fight against adversity to shine.
Here are the details:
In 2022, Meanwhile Boutique is:
- A change of status, from a sole proprietorship to an ESS (Social and Solidarity Economy) SASU and at the same time becoming a purpose-driven company.
- The "People's Choice" award from the I-Buycott association awarded to Meanwhile Boutique in Lyon.
- A PIA (Innovation Seed Plan) grant from BPI France, thank you La Ruche for the support, always present.
- First podcast for Meanwhile Boutique: Manon on the microphone of an episode of "Le Bon Usage".
- Meanwhile Boutique is a partner of éthi'Kdo, the ethical gift card
- Meanwhile Boutique arrives on YouTube.
- Our first collaboration with TedX at Paris Dauphine.
- New recruits: Sandra, Ambre and Orlane as well as Aurore, a committed volunteer from Noise paris.
- A pop up of 2 weeks in Rueil Malmaison.
- First clean walk organized (and not the last) with more than 5200 cigarette butts collected in 2h.
- First time at the Empow’Her festival at the cité fertile (which always falls at the same time as the Smmmile festival).
- A day of volunteering for the whole team on Giving Tuesday.
- First event with Low Carbon France at the Recyclerie.
- A collaboration with the Vaincre Alzheimer Foundation.
But also:
- + of 630 intense hours worked for the release of the new site (which never saw the light of day…)
- + of 10,000 visitors per month on the site (still without a comm budget).
- We raised over €500 in donations for La Maison des Femmes - Thank you.
- We have an accounting software and 2 accountants.
- An ongoing legal action…
- Lots of new projects for 2023....
In 2022, I learned (also personally):
- Knowing how to say “NO” and stop a project when necessary, even if it's a collaboration born from a recommendation.
- Keep the elements you trust, who have the will and motivation to push themselves and step out of their comfort zone.
- Knowing how to surround yourself with the right people, resources, suppliers or partners.
- Listen to your body and take a step back.
- Find stability (= stop living in a tote bag).
- Accept more invitations professionally, collaborations at events, participation in awards and competitions… and give more conferences.
- Take more than 6 days off this year (yes I know, that was also in my 2022 resolutions).
Some regrets too:
- Having chosen a bad service provider
- Having suspended communication and marketing while waiting for the new site that never arrived….
- Having waited for the new site to add new brands to Meanwhile Boutique, 130 brands in the collective today, when we could have had more than 200…
- Participating in the Canaux Christmas market, which refuses us every year, even though I did the social starter with them.
- Not having released our media in 2022 as planned.
I am grateful to:
- The Meanwhile Boutique 2022 team: Sandra who arrived in March, Ambre who came for an internship, Aurore, ECE student and Noise volunteer and Orlane, the last recruit of the year.
- My mentors, sources of inspiration and support communities who have been with me since the beginning: Antoine from WeDressFair, Les Canaux, MakeSense, Michel, Gérard Bridi and the others.
- My loved ones who have supported me since the beginning: family and friends, especially Mélanie this year.
- Our web designer Tiphaine for her work and patience.
- Arlette who takes care of the payroll.
- All the committed brands of the Meanwhile Boutique collective for their trust.
- To Meanwhile Boutique customers, we will probably call you very soon for our annual study :)
This new year, we aim to:
- Increase our productivity with new internal organization tools.
- Launch our new site full of technical advances.
- Officially launch our media.
- Finally start some PR.
- Boost SEO (yes, I am looking for an agency).
- Optimize the time spent doing the books..
- Post more videos on social media.
- Be more present on YouTube with great eco-inspiring tutorials.
- Limit the number of events.
- Position ourselves on more B2B.
- Multiply collaborations with brands.
- Define priorities to choose (as always).
But also:
- Restructure in a niche by offering specific products, carefully selected
- Give a big boost to Meanwhile Boutique thanks to the advice of a new partner #staytuned
- Succeed in taking a salary
The BIG news coming in 2023 (this time for real):
- a new website
- a dedicated media for responsible consumption
Otherwise, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU for your support, your trust and your loyalty. Thank you for choosing Meanwhile Boutique for your personal and professional responsible purchases and for talking about it around you. Thank you for contributing to the changes in consumption habits, each at their level.
PS: If you want to help us grow, evolve and restructure the Meanwhile Boutique catalog, you can answer this short form (promo code included) or even, write to us so we can call you!
We are always at your disposal to hear your remarks and areas for improvement.
We wish you all a 2023, green and radiant in sustainability.
Manon,
Founder of Meanwhile Boutique.
