S3, Ep1 – In conversation with Honour Wainwright
10 February 2023
Building a brand and building a business is right at the centre of daily life for Dr Reena founding RW Perio on Harley Street. She wanted to explore this further during this new season three to see how entrepreneurs and experts in their industry make it work and what their daily life really looks like.
As Head of Marketing for the exceptionally iconic and family-owned luxury British jeweller, Boodles, Honour Wainwright is also representing the sixth generation of the family in the business. As one of the newest members of the family to join, she is in fact the first female member in Boodles history.
With an impressive CV with a background gaining key experience with leading global brands including Harrods and Conde Nast Britain Dr Reena takes the conversation back to beginning with first asking, how it all began?
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
For season three, we enter the world of tier-1 luxury and fine jewellery with one of the most iconic British jewellery brands across the industry. Representing the sixth generation of the family in the business, Reena officially welcomes Honour Wainwright to 75 Harley Street.
So, the famous opening question – how did it all begin? “It all started from day 0,” Honour jokes, her father having been with the Boodles brand for forty years and, of course, the duration of her whole life. She rewinds back to her childhood, reminiscing about how a colleague at their Sloane Street boutique would often remind her how she and her twin brother (who is also now joining the company) used to visit them at age four, carrying a briefcase full of colouring pencils.
As the years went by, every work experience and Christmas, Honour shares how they were brought onto the shop floor “to help cut ribbons and serve cups of tea and coffee,” so they were definitely raised in the company from the very start.
Post-Uni, Honour worked at Condé Nast, gaining prestigious experience in the digital arena, which was incredibly important for her to “bring something to the table, and also gain the respect of her now colleagues, rather than having a direct open door into the family business.”
Reena was intrigued to explore if the world of fine jewellery was one Honour had always been connected to – with Honour instantly confirming how she “had always been obsessed with sparkly things,” going on to add that there was always the huge privilege of masses of jewellery at home, something she was used to, but was incredibly special, especially to be part of something that has been in the family for six generations.
As the first female member in Boodles history to join the company, Dr Reena asked how this has shaped her vision for the brand and her personal experience joining. Honour feels incredibly fortunate to be part of the Boodles story, working closely with her father, whom she collaborates with frequently, along with her cousins and twin brother who also works for the company.
Talk of business is often a lifestyle approach, with Honour adding that sometimes she becomes so absorbed by her projects that she often finds herself asking work-related questions to her father when “he just wants to be asked how his golf was.” Reena admits that it can be so difficult to truly draw a line and switch off, but when working for a family business, everything is so intertwined.
At Boodles, life is certainly varied. Honour describes how the creative side of her role is a favourite part, with the brand participating in numerous advertising and media placements. There is often a shoot happening, and she’s responsible for overseeing how the Boodles brand is portrayed.
Meeting journalists and editors is also a daily occurrence – “There’s a lot of wining and dining in the world of fine jewellery.” The sponsorship aspect is also vital, with an event every other week, Honour estimates, covering everything from the Chelsea Flower Show to The Boodles Tennis, confirming that they cover over 200 events across the calendar year.
A personal touch is essential in the world of luxury, and for Boodles, especially. For example, if a client is seeking a particular stone, they may produce a book or film to accompany it, creating exclusive and special offerings for their clients. But, by contrast, Honour laughs that she’s “just as happy when she has two hours alone at her desk to just get on with emails, get her head down, and crack on with some work!”
When it comes to putting together her mini survival kit, Earl Grey tea bags are at the top of Honour’s list (she’s completely addicted, with her own little stash). Vitamin D spray is also a daily essential during the winter months, and AirPods are always in her handbag, with Honour admitting she’s definitely a heavy podcast listener and audiobook lover.
For the upcoming Boodles calendar, well, there are many exciting global projects on the horizon.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
In a family business, everything is intertwined, making it difficult to separate personal from professional life—but sometimes, that connection is exactly what makes it work.
Don’t overlook the power of print media; it can be highly effective.
Hard work truly pays off. If you stay committed, you can achieve great things.
Relationships are key. Whether you’re looking for a quick deal or need a favour from a brand or journalist, a strong relationship goes a long way.
The customer is always right—even when they’re wrong, they’re still always right!
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