As the days grow warmer, the evenings stretch out, and daffodils begin to bloom, spring offers the p...

Summer is the perfect opportunity to go out more and explore, go to places you haven’t been before, ...

I have always struggled with the fear of the unknown. I am starting to feel the anxiety building up ...

We had such a great time attending the Tatton RHS Flower Show as exhibitors over the years. It is a ...

Summer offers ample opportunities to connect with loved ones, from family vacations and reunions wit...

Amidst the excitement, summer also offers a chance to slow down and relax. Work life balance can ver...

For the last few years, Justina and I have been reading articles, watching videos, and studying onli...

Justina and I have started shooting videos to use for Instagram, promotions, and Facebook ads...

If you want a calmer, relaxing, spa-like home, consider bringing in elements of the ‘Quiet Luxury’ t...

A new trend has appeared in women’s fitness that will transform the way you think about fitness and ...

Do you ever find yourself lying awake at night, worrying about the day ahead? Perhaps that tricky co...

Do you ever skip meals because you simply don’t have time to eat? Or find yourself choosing less-tha...

With the cold, dark days of winter behind us, spring is finally in the air. At last, we can peel of...

There’s nothing worse than sleep deprivation. Whether it’s struggling to drop off, waking up in the ...

Dreaming of fine white sand and clear blue water? Us too! We love our work, but there’s nothing like...

When it comes to choosing products for our homes and bodies, essential oils encapsulate much of what...

Over the last few months, I have become intrigued by stories of people giving up their mobile phones...

Whilst out on a walk in late August, you might be lucky enough to stumble across a bush brimming wit...

Seeing bees gliding across the garden is something to be very excited about this Summer as they are ...

Meet a beloved member of our Valentte family - Billy the Cockapoo! Here on Gate Farm we are all anim...

The heart of our small, authentic business is hidden in the rural county of Cheshire on Gate Farm, w...

There is a story behind every scent at Valentte. Our biggest inspiration has always been nature, whi...

At the start of Valentte’s journey, it was just the two of us. We couldn’t borrow money. We didn’t h...

Scents are incredibly powerful - they can make you feel a particular way, remind you of a certain pl...

The Valentte family has somewhat expanded over the years. 10 years ago, we were a team of two, worki...

I still remember challenging times where it would have been easy to give up, but we stayed determine...

It seems like only yesterday we lived in London working full-time jobs, spending any free time we ha...

It seems like yesterday we lived in London working full-time jobs, spending any free time we had han...

I still remember challenging times where it would have been easy to give up, but we stayed determine...

The Valentte family has somewhat expanded over the years. 10 years ago, we were a team of two, worki...

When I was pitched this amazing ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ to attend the very first Christmas ...

It was August 2011, and Luke and I were busy juggling full-time jobs and maintaining our growing hob...

When we first started, I had to show up at the Greenwich market on scheduled days; otherwise, our sp...

After the victory of our trial day at Greenwich market (where we sold a grand total of one bath fizz...

Ten years ago, on a cold February morning, Luke and I loaded our car with baskets of freshly made na...

Over the last few months, I have become intrigued by stories of people giving up their mobile phones...

I’m in London this week for the London Fashion Weekend event at Bloomsbury Square, it’s a new show f...

One of my aims for 2020 is to improve the visual look of our products. This goal involves a move awa...

Last weekend the squirrel and I were at the Barbican for a two-day event called Life Lessons put on ...

I have an app on my phone called Feedly, which I use to follow and read a variety of blogs. Most of ...

This morning, like almost every other, I got up early and listened to motivational speakers on YouTu...

A friend of mine is going through a tough time. Yesterday we talked about the healing process after ...

I spent yesterday afternoon at the Rugby, watching Worcester Warriors play Wasps. My partner (the sq...

It’s been months since I last wrote this blog. It’s not easy to begin again, to pick up an old habit...

I love listening to Toy Robbins speak and hope one day to hear him in person. He talks with clarity ...

I’m loving my new cycling turbo, a Wahoo Kickr, and have been using it in the caravan. This week I’m...

I began writing this morning and realised the last entry was three weeks ago. I can’t believe how qu...

I’m in Harrogate for the UK Grand Sale taking place on the showground. Writing this post in the cara...

I’m back in Nantwich for a few days going over our production plans for Christmas as you can imagine...

I’m still in Malvern, and the clouds have come down, hiding the top of the hills. Looking at the map...

I’m in Malvern for the Autumn Flower Show, and yesterday evening, I walked in the hills overlooking ...

Last week I had a chat with a friend who runs a large and successful business. They exhibit at shows...

On the Today program this morning I caught the tail end of an interview with Brad Smith, the preside...

I arrived at Blenheim Palace yesterday, ready for the horse trials which start on Thursday. Alone, d...

Last week I spent three days trading the Handmade Fair at Hampton Court. It's our fourth year at thi...

Yesterday I commiserated with a friend on the phone as she recounted a recent job interview for her ...

I have just returned from Burghley Horse Trials after four incredible days. On Thursday we had our h...

We use GrooveHQ to manage all our business email. It’s an excellent service from a fantastic company...

I’m at Chatsworth ready for their Country Show which starts on Friday. The house is stunning, and I ...

I have had a busy few days at Carfest South, before leaving Jade to manage things over the weekend. ...

You are the captain of your ship, and the enemy is bearing down on you. It is your responsibility to...

Are you working on your dream? Can you see it up ahead? Are you toiling away at the coalface, thinki...

In the book “Great by Choice” by Jim Collins, the author compares “10X” companies with a direct comp...

I’m at Southport flower show, and it’s raining again. Feels like it hasn’t stopped for days. The noi...

I’m at Southport Flower Show this week, it's windy and like Lowther last week, very wet, but this ti...

Life is full of surprise event that can easily throw you off course. You have made a plan; you have ...

I’m at the Lowther show in Cumbria and boy is it wet! The craft marquee has a small river running th...

Today I have been cycling in the Lake District again. I took the same route as yesterday but this ti...

I arrived in the Lake District today for a few days of cycling before going on to the Lowther Show a...

Every waking moment you are making choices. From the food you eat to the clothes you wear and the pe...

Over the last couple of months, I have watched with great pleasure as a close friend has begun to le...

I arrived at Blenheim Palace yesterday in preparation for Countryfile Live which starts on Thursday....

I remember the first company car my Father ever received; it was a brand-new Rover with electric win...

I’m celebrating a milestone today! This post is the 100th I have written since starting the blog in ...

I’m back under the giant tepee at Tatton Park Flower Show, watching the rain come down. Fingers cros...

I’m writing today's blog post under a giant tepee at Tatton Park Flower Show; sadly it’s not as warm...

It’s been a busy few days. I left the Great Yorkshire Show on Friday morning and drove to Cirenceste...

On Monday I arrived at the Great Yorkshire Show, tired, but very happy after an exceptionally busy H...

I drove back from Hampton Court Flower show yesterday and was lucky enough to listen to a program on...

I arrived in London yesterday to set the stand up for RHS Hampton Court Flower Show. It’s one of my ...

Today’s blog post is about the free sample requests and to address the increasing customer anger we ...

Some months ago, I decided to reduce the number of shows we do and the number of staff on our stand....

This week I’m staying a beautiful campsite on a working farm, just outside Edinburgh for the Royal H...

I’m back in Nantwich for 48 hours before heading up to Scotland for the Royal Highland Show. The tea...

I woke up this morning to photos from our landlord at Gate Farm, where we make all the stock, showin...

Yesterday I moved north, from Bramham Horse Trials to Ripley Castle where we are exhibiting with UK ...

Over the weekend, I had a long conversation with a friend whose son is battling an addiction to drug...

I arrived at Bramham Horse Trials yesterday having just finished Gardening Scotland in Edinburgh. I ...

I have been up in Glasgow for the last week exhibiting at the Ideal Home Show, and today I’m off to ...

I drove up to Scotland yesterday as this week I’m exhibiting at the Ideal Home Show in Glasgow. Duri...

I’m back in Nantwich for a couple of days before heading off to the Ideal Home Show - Scotland. It’s...

I arrived at the Devon County Showground yesterday, a couple of days early so that I can do some cyc...

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been having some very uncomfortable conversations with people ...

I’m in Malvern For the RHS Flower Show, I have been to the showground many times and admired the bea...

It’s often said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a d...

I have been thinking about how I spend my time in a typical week and asking myself whether I’m using...

Yesterday, I spent time with a friend who is also trading at Badminton Horse Trials. We both have si...

I bought a beautiful white orchid for the caravan about six weeks ago. I remember reading somewhere ...

I’m enjoying an autobiography on Elon Musk, the founder of PayPal and the driving force behind Space...

Yesterday, I moved the caravan from Sudeley Castle to Badminton Horse Trials. This morning, I’m look...

This week I had an alarming experience when five of my credit cards, along with one of Justina’s wer...

Last week I exploded a perfectly decent working relationship with a tradesman who has done regular, ...

I have written many times before about my morning routine. I follow the same rituals, doing the same...

Two days ago, I took the somewhat drastic step of disabling the email functionality on my mobile and...

My mother was one of the “Ten Pound Poms” who emigrated to Australia in the early 1960s where she en...

Some days ago, I replied to a comment made by Sade on an earlier blog post “The Day I Gave Up”. She ...

This year is the 20th anniversary of me stopping gambling and drinking. I didn’t stop overnight. I t...

Yesterday I had one of those rare days when I learnt something life-changing. A day I believe I will...

I remember the first time our glass order for the candles and diffusers came on a pallet. We made st...

I have been thinking today about how we cope emotionally when things are not going well.  Has your p...

I have just finished reading “Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek.” He explores leadership, and one stor...

All of us are selling, every moment of every day. It doesn’t matter if your job title doesn’t contai...

I just finished reading Shoe Dog, the autobiography of Steve Knight who founded Nike. It's an inspir...

I have had a hectic ten days. We are exhibiting at the Ideal Home Show, and the website is flying. F...

What happens when you stumble? Are you like me and your good habits go out of the window? Today's vi...

Our first show was the Ideal Home Show at Earls Court more than five years ago. Today's video is abo...

I arrived in Snowdonia on Friday, tired after a long week at work and once the caravan was set up, I...

I have been thinking about how I spend my time in a typical hour. In my mind, I spend the full hour ...

Read more books! Since I was young, this message has been drummed into me. But about ten years ago s...

I spent yesterday afternoon at the Ideal Home Show as we have two stands there. It’s a massive show ...

Life is full of compromises. I remember this during the week when we received an email from a custom...

Sometimes truly amazing, unbelievable things happen. We work away, unrecognised and unrewarded and t...

If I think back over my life, there are some events that are seared into my memory. I’m not thinking...

The show world is a strange community of misfits and outcasts. I see the same faces each week in dif...

I have always struggled with my weight, it yo-yo’s dramatically, and my weight range in my adult lif...

I’m writing this post on the 4th March 2019, seven days after the British climber Tom Ballard went m...

I distrust CV's. I find them full of waffle, and big statements. I can’t see the real person behind ...

Are you hungry for success but can’t quite make it happen? Are your dreams and goals not getting any...

We carry our dreams in our rucksacks up the mountain of life. Sometimes we share our dreams, but mor...

I have been thinking a lot about change over the last few months. It started on a walking trip in th...

I realised I was wasting a lot of time in the evening. I would get home from work, tired and flop in...

I have been very lucky throughout my life to spend time in the mountains. We were encouraged at scho...

If I close my eyes, it’s easy to imagine what my dream holiday looks like. Close them again, and it’...

Earlier this week I received a lovely email from Jenny Appleby expressing her positive feedback for ...

I have just installed Feedly on my phone. It’s a pared down blog-feed-reader for easy content consum...

I try very hard not to care about what other people think about me. But it’s hard when I read their ...

All companies have systems and ways of doing things. I understand they are important in making the b...

We had a couple of beautiful warm days. It felt like spring had come early. But today looking out of...

Your tired, it’s been a long day. You arrive home late for supper. What do you talk about while you ...

Have a backup plan! Sounds like sensible advice that I would usually follow. Listening to a program ...

Each morning in the shower I think about my goals. I do the same while I’m driving. I think about it...

For as long as I can remember my working day started the same way. Sat at my desk, I would look thro...

Last summer at the Nantwich Show, I spent 15 minutes watching a craftsman handmake a pair of clogs. ...

I have been wrestling with a decision, tossing it over and over in my mind. Playing out the possible...

Are you thinking about starting your own business? Are you feeling a bit scared? We were too. Don’t ...

Will people remember when I’m gone? Will they notice my passing? Am I leaving something worthwhile o...

In my mid-thirties I began to do a lot of cycling. When I mean a lot, think of Forest Gump and his r...

I frequently find myself in quiet moments reflecting on my happiness. Is my life going the way that ...

Regular readers will know that I have made a personal commitment to “become the kind of person who d...

I’m spending a couple of days hill-walking with my brother in Snowdonia. He reminded me about a go-k...

The mountains are great teachers. They care nothing about our ambitions or goals. Each time we ventu...

The hardest part of any journey is the first few steps. Out hill-walking I often find myself overwhe...

Like many companies, here at Valentte we actively encourage our customers to write reviews. I read e...

Sometimes I find myself wondering how to respond to customer complaints. Dealing with the individual...

Hardly a day goes by without me feeling one or more of these fearful emotions. I imagine you have fo...

Over Christmas, I have found myself thinking about the quality of my relationships. Particularly tho...

Sometimes I find myself struggling to start a task. I’m overwhelmed and daunted. I can see the desti...

I’m a big coffee fan — strong, black double expressos with no sugar. Every morning I sit down at my ...

2019 is the 20th anniversary of me stopping drinking and gambling. Back in 1999, I was 25, newly mar...

I love listening to motivational speakers on YouTube. I heard one tell a story, about a group of pho...

I love Alan Sugar’s gruff paternal manner in the BBC Apprentice show. They used to have an episode e...

I remember reading an old interview with Michael Caine. He discussed his early career and how succes...

I have always set goals. Endless goals and targets. Throughout my life. For work, for the gym, for m...

I sometimes find myself questioning the responses I give to others when they make a request. I’m not...

We believe that our homes should contain beautiful, natural and organic products. Free from the chem...

In 1990 I was lucky enough to spend eight weeks in North East Greenland with the British Schools Exp...

Do you remember the last time you had to find something? It was important. It was urgent. You just h...

Do you find it hard to make changes? Do you find reasons for not implementing the changes you need t...

Each year I visit a lot of motorway service stations. Last year I drove just over 40,000 miles. Sitt...

Mandy is our candlemaker. She came to me and asked if I would come and examine a batch of wicks that...

One of the big changes you will see with Valentte products in 2019 is the phasing out of labels on o...

Join us on our visit to the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show. Explore beautiful blooms and fresh floral d...