Greetings from Trnava, Slovakia
Yep, I'm back at our EU office and warehouse: AWGifts.eu Actually, I had planned to stay in the UK until after Christmas, but everyone kept on asking me to attend the AW Slovakia Christmas party... Tomas had gone there already and I pointed out there were no flights available and made my apologies... But Katka found a (convoluted) route.. and booked it and told me I had no choice... So you see I have been kidnapped and taken to Slovakia.
The Kidnap Trip.
Yesterday morning I was forced to wake up at 5am. Katka and her husband Phillipe, were waiting for me.. Philippe kindly drove us to East-Midlands airport. Where we took a Ryanair flight to Prague. I can't say I really enjoyed it... East-Midlands airport is a dump, they have better airports in the wildest parts of India. Speedy boarding basically meant we had the privilege of standing outside in the cold, dark and drizzle waiting for the incoming plane to off-board. On the plane, we were actually shouted at to listen to the safety instructions or not be allowed to fly. Thankfully it's not a long flight, but in Prague airport, there were only two or three people stamping passports and a huge backlog of people waiting.. in our line the guy was moving at a snail's pace, taking two minutes per person.. We had to catch a train to Slovakia and started to think we might miss it. Eventually after about an hour, they opened more booths and things started moving.. Katka (who is Czech) asked why there were so few people working, and was told that everyone was working from home today...
In other news we finally got the new sign put up at the UK office.. there is a long story behind this, maybe for another day.
Last week I was telling you about coming home for Christmas - back in Sheffield.. and meeting with our amazing team.. if you missed it you can catch up here.
Last Saturday was the UK Christmas party.. the theme was the 1970s and everyone except me was dressed up as hippies and glam rockers from the 70s. Since that's my authentic era... I came as myself:).
It was fairly wild and good fun was had by all and I think it was a big success...
Tomas, Katka and me..
This Saturday it's the Slovak Christmas party.. that's why I have been kidnapped.
So once we got through Prague airport, things improved dramatically. Katka had organised a nice car and driver to whisk us to the train station.. a happy chap who was keen to show us his city. Prague is an iconic city, and very friendly - it's a few years since I was last here with Coco and it brought back memories. We got to the train station with time to spare for lunch and happened on the most amazing restaurant, built in an old bank with decorative high ceilings, delightful staff and authentic Czech food. Katka was so happy to be eating the traditional food of her childhood. I love it too.
Prague train station.
After lunch, we ambled into the train station and found North Platform 5, just as our train rumbled into view. A little bit old fashioned, Katka had booked us a business carriage, leather seats and a glass of fizz included. Very Orient Express.. we were able to work and chat for a few hours.. while we trundled our way across the Czech Republic over the border to Slovakia and eventually arrived at Trnava station at 8pm. A friendly host brought snacks and good wine, and time passed in a very pleasant way... Travel Regiojet trains.. it's the total opposite of Ryanair, slow & relaxing not fast & stressful... I had never been to the train station in Trnava and yet it seemed very familiar, I instinctively knew where to go... I realised it was the exact same layout and design as the train station in Yiwu, China. Some communist connections there.
Matej our man in Trnava was waiting at the station and took us to the hotel.. It seemed like a long day travelling, all good fun but exhausting. I slept like a log.
On Friday morning, it was an absolute delight to see the awesome team at AWGifts.eu - organised and efficient to the next level... we had a tour of the office and warehouse.
Erica and Matej our managers here have worked for AWGifts.eu since day one and over the years seen us grow and thrive. Katka was there at the beginning helping to establish the original team. We started out in June 2017, those six and half years have passed in a blur.. and from scratch, they have become established as one of Europe's main gift wholesalers.
Toni (from Spain) is also here in Slovakia. The planning for the spring sourcing trip for Toni and me is ongoing.. day by day, new meetings are set up, hotels booked, flights booked and a strategy for the product groups we want to focus on this time round. If you have any suggestions or ideas please feel free to email me directly. We will be in Indonesia, Nepal, India and China... Last time we focused on Singing Bowls and accessories, Incense and next level aromatic products, Crystals, Gemstones and Esoteric products. And I feel that we (don't like to brag but) have become wizards in these areas.. adding to your specialist list of products any one of which would make excellent Pop-up Shop ranges. Now there's a thing. Pop-up shops are trending more than ever - are you opening them? I'd love to hear from you...
So another week another AW Christmas party.. yes I have been kidnapped - but it's not all bad..
Full report next week.
Christmas is coming.. and it's still busy.. we are working hard to dispatch all your orders as quickly as possible.
Hope you are finding trading good and all is well with you.
Have a magical wonderful festive week.
David