January 2017 must be noted as a milestone in the history of women’s fight for the right to stand up and be counted, listened to and heard.
Women marched en masse in cities around the world, a united force of women (some dressed in original suffragette uniforms) holding up signs that ranged from ‘Same sh*t, different century’ to ‘GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUNdamental rights!’ The sheer scale of some of these marches was breathtaking and certainly made one thing very clear – Women will no longer be ignored.
Throughout history we have become familiar with the norm that is ‘father and son’ businesses, an age-old tradition of the family business being handed down through the male line of the family. This month I thought it appropriate to celebrate a Catherine Hill business which breaks that male club mould and instead favours the female side of the retail tradition.
Lou Waller was born in Bath 25 years ago and grew up in Frome. Everyday, her father Ian cycled her to Sunflower Montessori School on Palmer Street – passing no.21 Paul Street her father often declared that he would like to buy the building should it ever come up for sale. At the age of five Lou moved into the family’s dream home. The hill was near derelict in those days and there were few shops back then. Her mother and father boldly opened a gallery ‘Quintessence’ her father a wood carver, her mother a tailor – they ran the business for well over a decade. In this time, Lou attended Mells First School, Oakfield Middle School and then Frome Community College.
Her childhood on the hill was a very happy one, although she describes the transient nature of the hill back then, with shops opening and closing, neighbours with children moving in and leaving soon after – a childhood more akin with that of a city child. She describes how her parents and a group of other Catherine Hill residents fought to save the street from being rezoned for housing and offices (huge thanks to them) – thus ensued the exciting years of actively bringing the hill back to life through fabulous community activities ranging from The Medieval Street Fair to The Christmas Extravaganza and everything in between – must speak to Lyn Waller about this. Aside from Hill events, Lou was also creatively invested in The Memorial Theatre, where she performed from an early age and later went on to work behind the scenes.
2009 was a challenging year for Lou, with the death of her father in February, A Levels at Frome Community College and beginning a Media Degree at Liverpool John Moores University in the September. She fell in love with Liverpool and enjoyed the media course but was less enamoured with the media industry professionals who often came to address the degree students. Realising the competitive media industry was perhaps not for her she returned to Frome, and to her supportive mother who had by now opened ‘Stitches’ her sewing business.
Finding herself in a series of job roles which lacked creative potential Lou realised that she had three great passions in life – her dogs (of which she has had six since early childhood), her need to be her own boss and her quaint hometown. A playful conversation with her ever supportive mother Lyn led to the creation of Winston James Woof, a unique Pet Boutique specialising in treats for both hound and human.
With a wide range of pet accessories in both classic and contemporary designs, Lou combines existing high end brands alongside their very own collections handmade by the mother and daughter Waller team. They’ll ensure your pet pooch stands out from the crowd!
The creative shop name comes from a combination of the middle names of her beloved rescue Whippets ‘Lennon and Macca’ – Winston, the middle name of John Lennon and James, the real name of Paul McCartney….a little ‘out of the box’ creative thinking much like the overall idea for the shop.
Lou is happy to have gone full circle, returning to Frome where she happily walks Lennon and Macca in the surrounding countryside, where she commutes downstairs to work, and creates the new Winston James Woof collection behind the scenes with her mum. Sometimes you need to leave to realise that what you always wanted was right there all along. Long may this creative collaboration last and lets hope we see more mother and daughter businesses flourish in our town in the coming years.
Visit Lou at Winston James Woof, 21 Paul Street, Frome, BA11 1DT or online at www.winstonjameswoof.com
