“I’ve worked in retail all my life, starting straight out of college at 17 in Cornwall before moving to London at 19, ready to spread my wings. In the early 2000s, I worked for several market-leading womenswear retailers, spending the early years of my career across Oxford Circus and Regent Street and progressing into management.

“After having my daughter at 30, I moved back to Cornwall to be closer to family, continuing my career in the South West as an Area Manager overseeing 20 womenswear stores. Around this time, I met my husband and stepped away from retail management to support our family construction business. With our combined skills, we knew we could build something special. We grew the business successfully for three years before I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I started my treatment, but before long, we went into lockdown. This was quite a tricky time for us as a small business, as we were completely unsure what was going on in the world – as we all were – but we kept going, kept working and staying in touch with our customers.”

“That period of my life has really shaped everything I’m doing today – after finishing my treatment, we took a holiday and it was on the sunbed I decided I wanted a change in my life. I wanted to have done something more – I hoped that I’d been a great employee, wife and mum but I knew I wanted to find a greater purpose in my life and really go for it.

“As soon as we got home, I found a space in Looe, Cornwall, and opened the first Pebble store a few weeks after getting the keys. Although I’d worked in retail management for years, I’d never experienced the end-to-end process and everything that comes along with being a small business owner, so it was quite the learning curve!

“After six months, we were ready to expand and along came our Saltash and Falmouth stores. Each location has built our brand and my confidence – I personally select each of the brands and products we stock, from clothing to home, jewellery and fragrance. I want people to know that they can come into Pebble and be valued and supported, whether they’re buying for themselves or someone they love.”

“I wasn’t actively searching for a new store, but I always keep an eye out for the right opportunity. I came across Arcade and really liked the idea of being part of a small business community – so I approached Urban Splash about leasing a space and was impressed by the flexibility of options available.

“We currently share Arcade with Nala’s Pet Co and Dockside Coffee Bar, and it’s been brilliant meeting a whole new mix of customers. There’s a real appreciation for the variety Arcade offers – you can shop, grab a coffee and discover something new all in one visit.

“We’re very much a family-run business here. My mum, daughter and stepdaughter all work in the store, which makes it feel incredibly personal. Customers aren’t just transactions to us – they’re part of our extended community.”

“I’m really looking forward to our future at Arcade, especially collaborating with other businesses across the Yard and as an Arcade team to offer our customers something different.

“I’m really behind what is being created at Royal William Yard, and the vision behind it becoming a destination for people to come to throughout the year and find different events and activations. We’re also looking to expand our impact within the communities we work – we already sponsor a girls’ grassroots football team and we’re working to sponsor women and girls from different backgrounds into careers through providing clothes for interviews and potentially work experience too. Arcade is going to be a huge part of our future, and I can’t wait to see what happens.”