Category: Jo Thornton News

1. Demystifying My Boobylicious Tape Pricing

   Posted on 2:00pm Friday 3rd Apr 2020

   

2. Covid-19 - Coronavirus - My Plans and Precautions

   Posted on 9:00am Friday 13th Mar 2020

   I just wanted to give you an update on my situation and stance with regard to the outbreak.

   • I am on immune system supressing medication, so I take things very seriously. I follow hygiene rules carefully, and those around me do too. Your parcel will be packaged with clean fresh hands etc!
   • I work from home and this should hopefully keep me safe and enable me to continue to run my store without any problems, getting your lovely items to you as needed.
   • There may be delay in the postal service at this time, but hopefully this won't be too bad.  
   • If someone in my household goes into self-isolation, I shall shut my store from posting as I work from home where they will now be, and could therefore be at risk.    My partner works for a specialist on infectious diseases, who is advising the government at present, and I am aware we know little about the virus yet.  It should not last long enough to reach you on one of my parcels if I was infected, but in order to protect the postal service and you, I will stop posting in case.  I don't want to risk it for the sake of 2 weeks.  
   • If this happens, I will pop banners over my site, notify on Facebook etc.  

   I hope you all stay healthy during this.  Please please wash your hands well regularly and for longer, don't get too close to people in public if you can avoid it and stay away from super crowded places when you can.

   As a side note, I suffer terribly from dry hands that crack and bleed ordinarily.  I have found bar soap to be so much better for them and to have virtually stopped it.  If you find your hands getting dry with the extra washing using liquid soap, make a swap to bar soap and you should find it much better. 

   Take care everyone 

   

3. Happy 2020! Goal Setting Time.

   Posted on 10:10am Thursday 9th Jan 2020

   Happy New Year!

   I hope you had a lovely festive time and you still have some teeth left (mine are just hanging in there, with just some Matchmakers boxes to go). I made a 3-month planner for my life last year that I use to try and keep track, take stock, and move forward with the things I want to achieve. I just had the crazy thought that it might be a good idea if I share it for once! I have an accountability page, but I just give it to my partner, so here I am sharing it with the world this time. LET'S DO THIS JO.

    

   

    

    

   So, I have 3 personal and 3 work goals for every 3 months that I chip away at. This time they are:

   Work Goals

   1. Get my stock software sorted. I started with a new software last year called Angel Books and I am still struggling to get it to work for me. I am going to get that really sorted one way or another, as this will help you guys with my stock levels and manufacturing of products.

   2. I will sort out some advertising. I find this really hard to do, as I am so limited with time as a one-woman shop. I'm going to work on a plan for this so that I can keep the stock turning over and develop new products when needed.

   3. I'm going to get my discount code scheme going. I think I have found a way to offer loyal customers codes for discounts, so I am going to find a way to integrate that to my store/newsletter. If you would like to hear about that when they come out, make sure you are signed up to my newsletter at the bottom of my home page. My goal should probably be to write 2 more newsletters, as I only managed 1 last year, but I'm sure I'll send one out when I get the codes going.

   Personal Goals

   1. Build new storage in my wardrobe. Quite frankly it is shocking in there, I have to shove the door shut and therefore could do with a better storage system. Power tools here I come.

   2. Learn to say no. I'm a people pleaser and this first 3 months of the year I am going to start with the retraining of my brain to keep that in check.

   3. Build my personal chronic disease health workbook, to help me when my health is going off-kilter and I need support/positivity/a reminder that I'm only human.

   If you want to be accountable to someone with your goals, feel free to email me in complete confidence. Warning though, I will check in on you!

   Jo xxxx

4. Sale Breast Forms!

   Posted on 12:37pm Wednesday 25th Sep 2019

   With the arrival of my new breast forms, I need to make space for them, which means sale time!

   I have put on sale the last few pairs of my older versions of my styles, which you can see here: 

   

   I also have some pairs that are not up to my high standards, with various issues such as cosmetic blemishing, and I will be adding those over the next week to my bargain category here:

   

    

   I have very limited stocks, so grab them while you can.  If you have any questions, just contact me.

   

5. My Environmental Efforts

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 13th Aug 2019

    

   Keeping my store environmentally friendly has always been something that I am passionate about.  

   I will always struggle with that the silicone breast enhancers themselves are not recyclable, but I hope this will change in the future, and it is why I work on making top-quality products.  I don't like to go along the lines of other stores, with cheaper products, even if those cheaper prices do mean it attracts more customers. Instead, I would rather spend more in manufacturing the products, so I can not only make the manufacturing process as environmentally friendly as possible, but also make products that are designed to perform well and last as long as possible.  

   I do my best with small changes as often as I can make them:

   • I have always recycled all the business waste possible. 
   • I moved to fully recyclable Jo Thornton labels in 2011
   • Not long after I introduced recyclable tissue paper packaging as the packaging that most of my products go out in.  I knew that most customers would not doubt that they could recycle tissue paper and paper recycling is on of the things we are best at out of all recycling types. 
   • I added natural cotton organza bags and fully recyclable cardboard boxes as other product options, later that year, rather than plastic based bags.
   • In 2013 I made my fashion tape rolls have recyclable backing and a recyclable inner roll.
   • I took active steps in 2014 to audit all my storage and I now only use cardboard and wooden storage in all my storage areas.
   • My mailing bags have always been recyclable for the bigger sizes and biodegradable for the smaller sizes.  Technology has moved on in this area, so I am working with a factory to make bags just for me that will dissolve to Co2, water and eco-friendly biomass. They will use vegetable inks and there will be no residue left of the bag but those compounds, and this is the most eco-friendly option that is available. These are nearly finalised and will be packaging your goodies very soon. 

   My next steps:

   • My next step is to look at the bags that all my tapes come in.  The problem that I have is that the tape is adhesive, so I am unable to use a paper or cotton based back as the tape will remove some of that packaging and be hard for you to remove.  I am going to try other biodegradable plastic types to see if I can get one that ticks all the boxes.  
   • I will also continue to check for biodegradable jiffy bags.  At the moment the only ones available are the padded bags with shredded paper in and these are often not recyclable as the fibres clog the machines when they break open. I will keep checking to find a bag where the bubble wrap lining is made of biodegradable plastic, or see if some other options appear as an option.  For now, I will try to use cardboard boxes whenever possible, but as these are around 6 times the price, it can be very difficult whilst keeping my prices low for my customers. 

   I am glad to see the sway in thinking towards protecting the environment and I will always do all I can to do the best I can.

     xxxx

    

6. Breast Forms - Stock Update

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 30th Jul 2019

    

   The breast form stock situation has been going on longer than I wanted it to, so I just want to update you all about where I am at.

   
   I decided a couple of months ago to make some changes to my breast forms shapes, and to increase the thickness of the back on the breast forms in order to help with using the tape with them.  I thought this would be like one of my normal tweaks, but it turns out I was wrong!  This is what has happened

     I looked at customer feedback for the shapes and did some slightly edited designs.

     I brought in more boobylicious tape, and the feedback was great.  Quite a few customers said that a thicker breast form back would really help when removing the tape.  This makes absolute sense, and with the extra pressure put on the back of the breast forms, make them stronger too. 

     I chatted to my factory and we started working on the new designs.  It all seemed to be going really well!

    Once the moulds for the breast forms were made, we found out that the thicker back was not possible with the kind of machinery the factory has.  By this stage, I was really determined that this is the best way forward for my breast forms.  I've tried working hard with the factory to make it work, but it has failed.

    Undeterred, I have chatted to one of my other factories which make my smaller breast enhancers, and they felt ready to take this step with me, which is very exiting!  They share my vision and have the machinery needed to make it a reality, so we just needed to make the moulds.  We made a prototype and it was fabulous!

     The moulds have now all been designed for all the styles now, apart from teardrop 2.

   Finally, we are getting there! 

   

   Production is now beginning on teardrop style 1, pear, round and triangle.  These will be made first, and sent out asap.  

   The final design and moulds will begin soon for teardrop style 2.  These will then be made ASAP and in my store as soon as I can get them in there.

    

   This process has been so much longer than I planned. Thank you SO MUCH for your patience and I promise that it will be worth it.  The new forms will be soft and supple, strong and designed to sit perfectly, so that I have a perfect option for everyone.  I knew that if it was worth doing, it was worth doing well and that you would all trust me, even if it took time, to get it right for you.

   
   In the meantime, I have some breast forms still left, and some sample runs from my departed from factory, so I will get those up in the store for you at some great prices :) 
   
   I will keep you updated as it progresses.

   UPDATE - 6/9/19

   The pear and triangle shapes are now in stock!

   

   

7. Boobylicious Tape In All Shapes And Sizes!

   Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 9th Jun 2019

   

   First of all, I've been so happy with hearing how well you've got on with my boobylicous tape, so thank you for all the emails that have helped me see that it was worth the effort of introducing this tape :)   It is such a hard balance with tape, with creating the right ratio of stick to not causing discomfort or problems when removing tape.  I will never get that balance right for all people, as everyone has different skin types etc and I'd rather be cautious, but your emails show me that the tape has been really helpful to many people and has really opened up the ability to wear less supportive bras and to go bra-less in many cases. I hope I've got a great balance, and the feedback has been really positive so I am so pleased.

   

   You may have also noticed that I've grown the range of tapes that I have, thanks to your feedback. I was approached by many customers asking for a sheet that is bigger, so that it can be cut down exactly to size or trimmed around a smaller breast form or enhancer for the perfect fit.   As a result, I introduced my A6 size sheet.  For those of you not so familiar with the paper size concept, it's a postcard size of 10cm by 15cm.  

   

   I also introduced the strips in normal and wider size of 2.5cm.  I love to give you flexibility and choice, as it seems that some customers prefer to use one wider strip rather than 2 thinner ones for some bras/enhancers and this ultimately offers better value.  Some enhancers are too small for the wider tape and only need the one narrow strip, so by offering both you can choose exactly what you'd like.  

   

   I've also got the discs in 8cm and 11cm sizes, which are perfect for the different size breast forms.

   The next step is for me to see if I can get it to release better from the clear backing side, as I know that some of you do struggle to get that side off.  I will be working with the factory to see if they can make the tape release easier for you when I do my next big production run of the tape.

   Whilst writing this, I've also thought of another thing that might help you...the introduction of a sample pack.  If you are going to use the tape then it can be tough to know which would be best I should imagine, especially now I have so much choice with 2 sizes of strips, 2 of discs and the sheet.  I know some of you use a combination for the bigger breast forms, so offering a selection pack with a few of each type would perhaps be useful.  I'll put together some packs with some of each in, so you can try the different types rather than having to commit straight away to one type of boobylicious tape.  I'll get on to working out the best numbers of each for the pack and the price and pop it in the store asap!

   

   

8. A Fresh New Website Look

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 31st Jan 2019

    

   

    

   Hi lovelies.

   Just to let you know that I am making website changes, including my template/design.

   I am trying to find a solution that works well on mobiles, tablets and desktops, and it's quite hard to make sure it displays well on all three!  

   Hopefully, you love the new design and as I tweak it, it will be more intuiative for the way you'd like to use the site. 

   If you have any problems with the site, or notice any links that are being silly and not directing you to the right place, please do let me know by emailing [email protected] or using my contact form.

    

9. New live chat

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 6th Nov 2018

   

    

   I'm trialing a live chat!  

   I've always wondered about them, but have never been able to find one that I could customise, but now I have at last.

   I run the business on my own, with some packaging help from my Mum and Dad now that they have retired, so I can't always be available to chat, but I will have it on as often as I can.  If I am doing a quick job that takes me away from my computer for up to 10 minutes, ,I will pop it on that I am 'away'. If I am doing something that takes a little longer, like getting orders ready or cataloging in a delivery, I shall pop it to invisible and you can just send me a message.  That way, you can decide if it is worth checking back for me if you have a quick question.  

   Hopefully it will be on plenty so that I can help many of you quicker than if you were waiting for an email.  

   Let's give it a try to see how we get on.  To chat to me, you just need to click the "Let's Chat" icon down on the bottom right.

   

    

   

10. November, November, it's SALE November!

    Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 1st Nov 2018

     

     

    This is typically my quieter time of year, after the busy Summer period, and just before the party season starts.  I use the time to do my account and the other things that have been pushed to the side during the busy time.  

    I also do one ALMIGHTLY stock check, and I like to put a little   on.  Sales of each style and colour go up and down due to lots of factors, but when I've done my big stock check and I know which I've got plenty of, I like to put them on sale for you. There is a mixture of breast enhancers, breast forms, tape and nipple covers in the sale. 

    Hopefully this gives you some brightness in these dark days!

    This time around, I've put them all in one sale category as well, so you can see exactly what is on sale.

    

    You may also notice that it is a strange amount to be on sale by, 11%.  This is because this year is my 11th running my lovely little shop full time. Yay!  What better way to both remember that and celebrate, than with an 11% sale.