That’s how many items Rose Slocombe estimates she has wrapped and despatched as she celebrates 20 years of service at local toy and nursery business, Hippychick.
Rose has been working with Hippychick since 2002, shortly after the business was founded by Somerset mum, Julia Minchin in 1999.
“At the beginning it was just me and my husband managing everything, including despatching our founding product, the Hippychick Hipseat. At the time, it was an absolutely revolutionary baby carrier and immediately went stellar with new parents,” said Julia Minchin, Hippychick Founder.
“Hipseats were piled up all over our sitting room floor, up the stairs, in the garage, literally in every available space. That’s when Rose joined us, and thankfully she’s been with Hippychick ever since. She was affectionately referred to as ‘Downstairs Rose’ by our children, as we had another Rose working part time upstairs in the office.”
As Hippychick has grown and evolved over the years and moved into its premises in Bridgwater where it has been for the past 19 years, Rose has remained a constant, reigning supreme in the warehouse, executing her wrapping skills with efficiency and aplomb to meet the demand for orders.
Rose said: “Looking back over 20 years so much has changed. From working in the family home with four of us picking stock from the children’s playroom, garages, summerhouse and packing in the lounge, frantically sometimes as the courier would be waiting. Everything improved when we moved into the warehouse, as there was space to store things in designated places.
“I’ve seen lots of colleagues come and go and have kept friends with most. From not being at all technical over the years I’ve learnt a lot, expanding my skills and knowledge with the help from my colleagues. From driving the forklift, helping unload containers to gift wrapping.
“I am one small cog in a well-oiled machine. Each member of staff brings their own strengths. I feel privileged to have spent the past 20 years working in this family run business with all colleagues/friends past and present.”
Rose has been featured in media several times, offering video demonstrations and hints and tips on how to wrap Christmas gifts.
To reward her efforts, as well as her impressive length of service at Hippychick, Rose was presented with a Wheelybug replica cake (pictured in between two wooden Wheelybugs) by husband and wife owners of Hippychick, Julia and Jeremy Minchin, a potted rose for her garden as well as a magnum of champagne.
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